6 things you need to know about today’s Olympic showjumping individual qualifier: Killer Queens, sumo wrestlers and shock results

The Olympic showjumping individual qualifier at the Tokyo Games is now complete. Here are 6 things you need to know about how today’s action unfolded…

Olympic showjumping individual qualifier news and results

The new Olympic showjumping format – and sumo wrestlers – proved influential on the first day of Olympic showjumping competition in Tokyo. While the British riders proved to be on top form on the opening day, there were shocks and surprises as some top names failed to make it through to Wednesday’s individual final.

• Hear what Harry Charles had to say about qualifying for the individual final on his Olympic debut

Santiago Varela’s eye-catching course provided the horses and riders with plenty to look at, from sumo wrestlers to tricky combinations.

• Find out what riders thought of the course for the individual qualifier

London 2012 Olympic champion Steve Guerdat was among those not to make it to the final to compete for the medals after picking up four-faults on Clooney Venard De Cerisy.

• Hear what Steve – and other riders – had to say about failing to secure their place in the final

The new format, which meant riders qualified for the individual final based on only one-round, proved to be a major talking point.

• Find out what riders think about the new Olympic format

Jessica Springsteen, daughter of the rockstar legend Bruce, was among the riders making their Olympic debuts.

• Read how Jessica got on with the 12-year-old stallion Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve and how she felt to be making her debut

And the ride of world number one Daniel Deusser produced one of the most foot-perfect rounds of the day.

• Find out more about H&H’s horse of the day Killer Queen

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Becky Murray

H&H senior news writer

Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.