Dutch dominate showjumping

Dubbeldam rides Sjiem to showjumping gold

Jeroen Dubbeldam of the Netherlands won the Olympic individual showjumping after a three-way jump-off.

Riding Sjiem, he beat his compatriot Albert Voorn, who took silver on Lando, while Saudi Arabia's Khaled Al Eid on Khashm Al Aan earned the bronze.

The jumping final was held over two rounds, with the penalties for both rounds added together to determine the winners.

The three medallists were tied on four penalties at the end of regulation competition.

Dubbeldam knocked no rails down in the jump-off, while Voorn and Al Eid both displaced one. Voorn secured silver by virtue of a better time.

Disastrous

Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa, the 1998 world champion and gold medal favourite, had a disastrous last round.

Riding last and needing a clear round to win gold, he knocked down a rail at the first jump and then his horse, Baloubet Du Rouet, refused to attempt the eighth jump and he was eliminated.

There was further disappointment for the British riders following their poor showing in the team event.

Both Michael and John Whitaker failed to make it through to the second round, finishing 31st and 33rd respectively in the opening round.

Geoff Billington did make it through but he could only manage to finish 24th.