Sweden:
Due to untimely injury, the Swedish team is slightly lacking in horse power for the upcoming Games – their individual silver medallist from London, Wega, has been quietly campaigned this season at two star after recovering from injury. However her rider, Sara Algotsson Osholt, has Reality 39 on the list and was part of the team to win the silver medal at the 2013 European Championships.
Despite the loss of Shamwari 4 to the USA’s Boyd Martin, Ludwig Svennerstal has two horses on the long list – the unorthodox King Bob and Aspe. King Bob, who narrowly defeated Michael Jung and Takinou in the CCI3* at Strzegom, has previously finished in the top 10 at Burghley.
Niklas Lindback is another member from the London 2012 team to make the list with his 2015 European ride Cendrillon and Focus Filiocus.
The home team:
The Brazilian eventing team has gone from strength to strength over the past decade, with help from the likes of Nick Turner and Sir Mark Todd, and will enjoy performing in front of a home crowd.
Traditionally the Brazilians are more at home in the jumping phases than the dressage but they won team and individual gold medals at the South American Eventing Championships on home soil in 2014. Marcio Carvahlo Jorge broke the trend when scoring an impressive 32.6 at the Event Riders Master series at Barbury and could spring a surprise at Rio with the lovely Lissy Mac Wayer.
Ultimately as a team they are realistically looking at a place, rather than medals, but they will undoubtedly be keen to impress in front of the home crowd.
Predictions:
Team Medals:
· Gold – Germany
· Silver – Great Britain
· Bronze – France
Individual Medals:
· Gold – Michael Jung and Sam (GER)
· Silver – Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Luovo (GER)
· Bronze – Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen (USA)
Timetable:
– 5 August – first horse inspection.
– 6 August – day 1 eventing dressage
– 7 August – day 2 eventing dressage
– 8 August – cross country
– 9 August – second horse inspection
– 9 August – eventing show jumping for team and individual medals