Laura Collett and Team Secure Historic Gold for Britain in Eventing

Laura Collett and her horse, London 52, made history by winning the first gold medal for Great Britain at the Paris Olympics in the eventing team competition held at the stunning Chateau de Versailles.

This victory was a remarkable moment for Collett and her teammate, Tom McEwen, who both celebrated their second title after winning in Tokyo three years ago. For Ros Canter, who was a reserve during the last Olympics, this was her debut gold at the Games.

As the competition progressed, Collett and her fellow riders faced fierce competition from the French team, who had their supporters out in full force. Collett described the atmosphere in the stadium as unforgettable, saying it was a spine-tingling experience that she would cherish forever.

“I’m on top of the world,” Collett exclaimed, expressing her pride in her horse and teamwork. After a great start in the dressage phase, Britain managed to maintain a slim lead over France despite some challenges.

Collett shared her thoughts on the pressure of the final round, saying, “It was definitely not what we hoped for last night, but we managed to regroup and handle the pressure.”

In the final event, Collett’s performance secured the gold even after adding a few penalties. McEwen, who also jumped clear with his horse, JL Dublin, voiced his confidence throughout the competition and enjoyed the electrifying atmosphere as the crowd cheered them on.

Meanwhile, Ros Canter experienced a mix of excitement and relief as she noted the challenging course and the intense pressure from the crowd. She reflected on her earlier penalty, which affected her chances for individual gold, but praised the strong support she received from her teammates.