Drama erupted in the men’s individual Olympic show jumping final on Tuesday when two riders were thrown from their horses in separate incidents while riding the course at the Palace of Versailles.
Swedish jockey and world number one Henrick von Eckermann was surprisingly thrown from his horse into a sign during his round at the event, while Mexican Andres Azcarraga was nearly thrown into a puddle of water by his horse.
BBC commentators Andy Austin and Nick Luck were left baffled by the incident which saw Von Eckermann lose control of his horse, King Edward, as he rode down the course.
The duo were about 35 seconds into the race and doing well when King Edward appeared to lose his balance as he came down from a jump.
The horse then galloped to one side of the arena, where it suddenly stopped, throwing Von Eckermann forward, falling headlong into an apparatus.
Swedish show jumper Henrick von Eckermann (pictured) fell from his horse on Tuesday.
Mexican Andrés Azcárraga also fell off his horse during the men’s individual final.
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The rider appeared to hit the ground with the soles of his feet first before his back landed on the dusty ground and thankfully, although he seemed tired from the fall, he quickly got to his feet to walk behind King Edward, who had galloped off in the other direction.
The Swede, who won gold in the team vault at Tokyo 2020 and two gold medals at the 2022 World Championships, was eliminated after the fall.
Austin told the BBC it was “the most extraordinary thing” he had ever seen.
Eurosport commentator Richard Vaughan said: “I can’t believe it.
“Something wasn’t right. It looked a bit strange yesterday. I thought they had done very well to move, but everything has collapsed.
“At first, everything was falling apart. They got past the big bend and then the water seemed fine, but after that, the horse seemed to get away.”
Mexican Azcárraga also suffered a worrying fall and was on the verge of falling into a puddle of water in the middle of the show jumping track.
A video posted on social media showed the rider holding on tightly to the horse’s reins after falling to the ground in a spin.
The rider was seen holding on to his reins after falling off his horse right in front of a puddle of water.
Azcárraga (pictured) also nearly fell off his horse during today’s individual event.
German Christian Kukuk took gold aboard Checker 47, while Steve Guerdat and Dynamix De Belheme took silver.
Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z of the Netherlands took bronze, while Scott Brash and Ben Maher of Team GB finished sixth and ninth respectively.
Early this morning, fellow Briton Harry Charles announced that he would not be competing in the individual show jumping.
The event came after the three British riders claimed gold in the team show jumping last week. However, Charles’ horse, Romeo 88, apparently suffered an injury, ruling the duo out of today’s event.
Charles is also dating the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ daughter Eve, an American model who also competes in show jumping.
Von Eckermann lost control of his horse King Edward after jumping an obstacle, throwing him into a sign.
The rider went crazy when King Edward suddenly slowed down right in front of the red obstacle.
The horse then galloped away from the obstacle, leaving the rider on the ground.
Fortunately, Von Eckermann (pictured) was not injured by the fall and the world number one got back to his feet before leaving.
The Swedish rider was later eliminated from the event after falling from his horse.
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On Tuesday morning he took to Instagram to claim that Romeo 88 had suffered a “small overdose” and had opted not to race as a precaution.
“Unfortunately Romeo and I will not be starting the singles final today in Paris,” Charles wrote in an Instagram post on Monday.
‘After a little overshoot yesterday, he is not at 110 percent as he was throughout the Games.
‘Maybe I’m a little disappointed, but honestly not that much. He’s given me so much and taken me beyond my dreams. We’re leaving Paris with a gold medal and, most importantly, a happy Romeo, so that’s more than enough for me.
Harry Charles (centre) took gold alongside Ben Maher (left) and Scott Brash (right) in the team diving event.
Harry Charles (pictured) has announced he will not compete in Tuesday’s individual equestrian event.
‘Team GB have a great chance of medalling with two of the best today, Scott and Ben, so we’ll be on the sidelines cheering them on.
‘Thank you all for all the support you have given me and Romeo during the Games and for making it a once in a lifetime experience.’
An overstretch injury occurs when a horse’s rear hoof hits its front leg.
The edge of the hoof or horseshoe can make sharp contact with one of the horse’s front legs, causing wounds and lacerations that can be serious or even life-threatening.
Horses can often cut their heel bulbs when racing, which can usually put the animal out of action for a couple of weeks.
