?I?m Still Flying?: Tokyo Olympics Equestrian Champion Peder Fredricson Triumphant Once Again in London GCT Grand Prix

The equestrian showjumping event is one of the most graceful sporting events in the Olympics. Riders maneuver their beautiful horses through a course of obstacles to determine the winner of the competition. After the competitions in Tokyo, riders were back at it again at the Longines Grand Prix at London GCT. Peder Fredricson won the tournament in an exciting competition. Likewise, he won the silver medal in Tokyo for Individual Jumping while claiming the gold medal in the Team Jumping event for Sweden.

The rider displayed a calm and collective jumping performance in London.

Peder Fredricson wins the Longines Grand Prix

Despite John Whitaker from Great Britain drawing all the plaudits, Peder came home with the trophy. Notably, he finished the course after guiding his horse Catch Me Not S with a time of 37.93 sec. The competition looked to be won, as it had a final act with Whitaker. The 66-year-old legendary rider excited the audience in attendance with his horse Unick Du Francport but came up short.

Although the home crowd supported him throughout the course, he finished just 0.14 seconds behind Peder as he took the runner-up spot. John spoke about his horse spending some time in the air while jumping over obstacles.

However, he came up short as the Swede took home the first place. The rider took home the gold and silver medal in Tokyo and continues to impress the equestrian fraternity. Before that sensational victory in Japan, Peder was already an Olympic medalist as he won the silver medal in both Athens 2004 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

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Peder couldn’t contain his excitement

After the competition, the jubilant Swedish rider spoke to Horse&Hound about his victory.

“I was over the moon with the Olympics and normally you go to a show the next week you end up down on the ground again, but I’m still flying.”

However, it was not an easy ride.

John Whittaker has ridden in these competitions for over four decades. Significantly, he won the silver medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics for the Team Jumping competition. The Brit is a fan favorite but couldn’t muster up the top place finish. The veteran rider celebrated his 66th birthday last week as he spoke about the showjumping contest.

“He was there to beat. I could have beaten him. I just didn’t get the right side of him.”

The passion is there for people to see.

Despite the late heroics, Peder Fredricson once again reigned supreme in London. After his success in Tokyo, the Swedish rider continues to perform well and is one of the best riders in the competition.

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