Germany's Bettina Hoy Wins Eventing Gold

Bettina Hoy overjoyed with her double, yet controversial, Gold Medals. photo ©Athens2004

A roller coaster of emotions preceded the medal presentations for the Eventing competition at Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre, with double gold for Bettina Hoy individually and with her German team.
 
The Appeal Committee had to consider an appeal received from the German Federation against the time penalties awarded to Bettina Hoy at the conclusion of the Eventing Team Jumping and Individual Qualifier, which had pushed Germany off the podium. Bettina Hoy had crossed the starting line twice at the beginning of the round.
 
The Appeal Committee concluded that the clock had been restarted, and that an error in the management of the competition shall not put a rider at disadvantage. "Bettina Hoy had no way to believe that her round had started," explained Hugh Thomas (GBR) member of the Appeal Committee, "as
the clock was restarted when she crossed the line for the second time". The Committee therefore removed the time penalties formerly given by the Ground Jury and the German team earned the gold medal with a result of 133.80 penalties, ahead of France (140.40) and Great Britain (143).  The medals were presented by HRH Princess Royal IOC Member and former Olympian in Eventing.
 
Twenty years after being part of the bronze team medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the 41-year-old Bettina Hoy, married to Olympic
champion Andrew Hoy (AUS) won on a score of 41.6. Ringwood Cockatoo had one rail down in the Individual Final round and caught 2 time penalties, after a clear round in the team Jumping competition. The complete German Jumping team had come to support and advise her before and during the competition.
 
Silver went to Leslie Law (GBR) for his second clear round of the day. His Gelding Shear L'Eau stayed on 44.40 points although the much feared plank moved back and forth almost until he crossed the finishing line.
 
Kimberly Severson (USA) won the bronze after Winsome Andante had a fault in the double combination to finish with 45.20 points.
 
French rider Nicolas Touzaint, who was among the big favourite for the individual title, had four rails down, and with Galan de Sauvagere, finished 9th, after having dominated the dressage and cross country day.