via Reuters
Torches are pictured during the torch kiss event, after the relay on public road was cancelled due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, during Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay celebration in Sammu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, July 1, 2021. REUTERS/Issei Kato TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
via Reuters
Torches are pictured during the torch kiss event, after the relay on public road was cancelled due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, during Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay celebration in Sammu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, July 1, 2021. REUTERS/Issei Kato TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
A wide range of athletes will travel to the Tokyo Olympics 2021, including the equestrian all-stars of the planet. With this year’s equestrian competition looking tougher than ever, we’re in for a thrilling three weeks. Amongst the legends of the sport are a bunch of talented fresh faces from the US, France, Germany and Britain.
US show jumping starlet debuting at Tokyo Olympics 2021
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CANNES, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Jessica Springsteen competes at International Longines Global Champion Tour – Day 1 on June 9, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Jacopo Raule/Getty Images)
First up, the most exciting name debutante in the Tokyo Olympics 2021 is Jessica Springsteen. The daughter of Bruce Springsteen, her impressive performances warranted her a spot in the US show jumping squad. Alongside former medalists McLain Ward, Kent Farrington and Laura Kraut, she will set the stage on fire in Tokyo.
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On Instagram, Springsteen reflected on her qualification. “I?ve been dreaming of this since I can remember! Endless gratitude for my team, friends and family for helping me make this a reality. We are Tokyo bound!”
While she’s the most popular debutante from the US team, Doug Payne from the eventing squad and Sabine Schut-Kery from dressage will perform on this grand stage for the first time.
Eventing #1 makes Olympics debut in Tokyo
How Oliver Townend hasn’t competed in the Olympics before startles me and a thousand other equestrian fans. The 38-year-old from Huddersfield has three wins in the European Championships and a second place finish in the World Young Horse Championships in 2020.
Talking to FEI, he described how he felt upon qualification. ?I am absolutely delighted. It?s been a dream for a very long time to represent GB at the Olympics. We are a very strong Eventing nation so it?s been seriously tough competition to get selected and to get the call was incredible.”
He even talked about his horse. ?Ballaghmor Class truly is a horse of a lifetime, he’s already done so much and there’s so many people that are involved in his success behind the scenes so it feels like a way of thanking all these people. He feels in fantastic form and together with Tom and Laura as well as Piggy as a travelling reserve we will go to Tokyo and do our very best to make everyone at home proud.?
Dressage #2 to make her Olympics debut
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The German team is the favorite to clinch gold in the dressage competition at the Tokyo Olympics 2021. Both world #1 and #2 are present in that team, making it one of the best teams to grace the equestrian stage at the Olympics.
Isabell Werth, the #1 ranked in dressage leads the German dressage team. Despite her presence, expectations remain high for #2, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl. The 35-year-old has risen to become the most reliable performer in dressage today, and will look to a powerful performance in Tokyo.
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How far will these stars go in the Tokyo Olympics 2021 and will they go home with a medal?
