Who didn’t see this one coming? The same American squad that competed in Rome last month has been named as the show jumping team for the Tokyo Olympics.
Kent Farrington (Gazelle) and his 2016 Olympic silver medal teammate,, McLain Ward (Contagious)–who is also a veteran of the 2004,2008 and 2012 Olympics– were selected, along with 2000 and 2008 Olympian Laura Kraut (Baloutinue) and Olympic newcomer Jessica Springsteen (Don Juan van de Donkhoeve.)
Unlike the U,S. dressage and eventing teams, which named three riders and a traveling reserve, no such distinction was made for show jumping. There can only be three riders on a team, but substitutions are allowed. So three riders could compete in the individual test, which comes first, and then for the team competition, one could be dropped while another is added.
Coach Robert Ridland always pays special attention to bringing along younger riders, so Lucy Deslauriers–the only U.S. rider double-clear in the Nations Cup in Rotterdam this month with her reliable Hester–and Brian Moggre (Balou de Reventon) will be reserves and quarantine in Germany with the team. Brian and Lucy were 1-2 in the grand prix in Sopot, Poland, last month.
(For more details about selection, see the article below this one in On the Rail section about Beezie Madden)