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Scott Brash and Jefferson. Image credit: British Equestrian/Jon Stroud Media
The only team to leave all the fences in their cups, the British boys secure gold in the team showjumping final at Paris 2024
With yesterday’s scores from the showjumping team qualifier discarded, it was all to play for in the final and with such a challenging course ahead, it was set to be a thrilling watch.
The track was certainly up to height and there was plenty for the horses to look at, including a double of water trays and a huge vertical following on from a testing treble, as well as a tight time allowance.
Ben Maher was first to go for Team GB, and with the six riders ahead of him dropping poles left, right and centre, and the majority picking up plenty of time faults, all eyes were fixated on the World number two – would he be the first rider to jump clear inside the time? Ben and his ride Dallas Vegas Batilly kept in perfect rhythm and balance the whole way round to keep the poles up but were just over the time and picked up one penalty.

Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly. Credit: British Equestrian/Jon Stroud Media
Reflecting on his performance, Ben said: “A great round today again, I’m very happy. She [Dallas Vegas Batilly] felt a little unsettled as we went in today as there are a lot of people here, and they told me that the time was short so maybe I just underestimated it a tiny bit. But we left the jumps up and gave our team a great start.”
After round one, Team GB were in the lead so the pressure was mounting for Harry Charles and Romeo 88 – the second combination to go for Britain. The fans’ hearts were in their mouths as Romeo 88 clipped a pole coming out of the treble to make it bounce in its cups, but it miraculously stayed up and they jumped an incredible clear inside the time to keep Team GB in gold medal position after round two.

Harry Charles and Romeo 88. Credit: British Equestrian/Jon Stroud Media
Despite Harry fracturing his wrist only a few weeks ago, he certainly rose to the occasion to produce an incredible round: “Speechless. I think a need a few more hours to reflect! Probably the best round of my life, definitely the biggest moment of my career so far and to have me be good and Romeo come through like that – it’s probably the best he’s ever jumped. On this stage and in this moment… It’s taken a lot for us to get to this position and I’m really proud of him. Hopefully it’s enough to get something, but we’ll have to wait.”
With both France and USA hot on Team GB’s tails going into round three – just two points and three points behind respectively – there was less than a fence in hand, as well as the risk of time penalties, when Scott Brash took to the stage.
No combination could’ve dealt with the pressure any better than the incredibly experienced Scott and Hello Jefferson who have delivered for their country on so many occasions. Picking up just one time penalty in an otherwise textbook round, they helped secure the win – something that seemed unlikely as the showjumping competition got underway yesterday. But the boys came through when it mattered and gave Britain their eighth gold medal of Paris 2024!
The final results…
Gold: Great Britiain
Silver: USA
Bronze: France
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Sweden
- Ireland
- Belgium
- Israel
- Mexico