6 key stories from Tokyo Olympics team showjumping qualifier: shock exits, sensational Swedes and strong reaction to the new format

The Olympic showjumping team qualifier at the Tokyo Games caused plenty of drama on the penultimate day of equestrian competition. Here are six things you need to know about how today’s action unfolded in the Olympic team showjumping competition…

Olympic team showjumping qualifier news and results

The new format for the Olympic team competition proved costly for several nations, not least Ireland who elected not to carry on jumping after their pathfinder rider was eliminated.

• Find out what Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam had to say about his team’s shock exit

But it wasn’t just the Irish riders who spoke out about how the format affected the Olympic team showjumping.

• Discover why one rider referred to the Olympic showjumping team competition as “carnage”

Meanwhile, Great Britain’s trio of Holly Smith, Harry Charles and the new Olympic champion Ben Maher made it through to the final as one of the top 10 teams who will compete for the medals on Saturday (7 August)

• Ben Maher reveals the strong fighting spirit within the British camp – and reckons Explosion W may have “laser vision”

Sensational Sweden’s showjumping horses haven’t touched a pole all week and they finished the day as the only team with zero faults.

• We asked Peder Fredricson to reveal the Swedish team’s winning formula

Meanwhile one of the Swedish team’s riders in particular caught our eye during the team qualifier round.

• Read all about Malin Baryard-Johnsson’s incredible journey with her “extremely difficult”  mare Indiana

And last but certainly not least, the horse we’ve all fallen in love with today is a stunning grey gelding who jumped clear on his championship debut.

• Find out how French rider Simon Delestre has nursed the 10-year-old gelding into the big league

You may also be interested in…

Which nations have qualified for the Olympic jumping team final? Here’s how they did it and what the riders said…

‘The whole course is tough — and the time is very tight’: riders react to Olympic team showjumping track

‘He answered every question’: Holly Smith and Denver make good start for Britain in Olympic team showjumping

Great Britain still in the hunt after Harry Charles jumps in Tokyo Olympic team showjumping qualifier

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Jennifer Donald

H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.