Great Britain wins Jump-Off, Takes Olympic Jumping Team Gold

Great Britain’s team won an intense jump-off against the Dutch team to take Gold in the team competition.
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There were ecstatic scenes in Greenwich Park this afternoon when Great Britain ended a 60-year drought to claim jumping team gold for only the second time in the history of the Olympic Games. They had to battle all the way, and it came down to a two-way jump-off against The Netherlands, but Nick Skelton, Peter Charles, Ben Maher, and Scott Brash triumphed in the finest style and, to put the icing on the cake, they did it on home soil. Saudi Arabia took bronze behind the Dutch, with Switzerland finishing fourth and just outside the medals. (Final team standings can be found here.)

For Skelton and Charles, level at this success has been a long time coming. "It’s taken me 54 years,” Skelton said today. “It’s unbelievable and what a place to do it. I have a wonderful horse and it’s a dream come true. It’s great for our country and great for our sport. The lads have done great and I’m really pleased for Pete (Charles). He has had a rough trip but he came good in the end."

For 52-year-old Charles it was no easy ride. “I got off to a bad start, but this is as good as it gets,” he said as he grasped the gold medal hanging around his neck.

For Brash and Maher, Olympic glory has come early in their careers, but they both realized just what has been achieved today, and recognized that they were fortunate to contribute to it

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