DeRosa Daily Equestrian Olympic News
Horsesdaily Veteran Olympic Reporter Diana DeRosa Brings Us Into Her World

A Whip and A Dash Earn Beezie the Bronze Medal

Laura, Beezie and McLain Face the Challenge

For Laura her bid for the Individual title was finished when the second rail dropped and she accumulated eight penalty points.  That meant she would never make it into round two of the Individual Finals.  But for McLain and Beezie they each had one clear and one four fault round, which gave them a two-round total of four and tied them with five other riders.  Only two riders were able to negotiate two clear rounds.  That was Eric Lamaze on Hickstead and Rolf-Goran Bengtsson on Ninja. 

After the points were tallied the announcement was made that Eric and Rolf would be riding off for the Gold and Silver while the seven riders with four faults would be riding for the Bronze.  And that’s when they went for it, that shortened route through brush that McLain has suggested in order to shave off some time.

McLain tested the plan first and while a rail down eliminated the possibility of a medal, he also didn’t have the time.  However, when Beezie followed McLain’s lead and saw that his plan for a tight turn could be done, she also kicked up the gears down the final line.  Her time of 35.25 was the fastest clear round in the jump off and secured for her and the United States the Individual Bronze Medal.

And that was the last equestrian competition at these equestrian Olympic Games.  The Medal Ceremony that followed was the final reward.  Especially gratifying was seeing Eric Lamaze, who could not hide his thrill at winning his first Olympic Gold Medal.

Behind the scenes we were all watching the weather.  There was a prediction and still is for a typhoon.  We are in a wait and see mode but apparently Friday afternoon is when the typhoon will hit and there are predictions that flights will be cancelled.  No matter to us now.  The Olympics for us are over.  We’ve taken home one more great medal and we can feel good about how we finished off these Olympic Games.

I am scheduled to leave on Saturday and am planning to write one more report before I head home.  If you have any last comments, questions, anecdotes and hellos to say this is your last chance.  So, do email me at dderosa1@optonline.net