The trio secured Great Britain's first Olympic team gold in eventing since Munich 1972 in some style; Australia took silver and France bronze; McEwen also claims individual silver medal behind Germany's Julia Krajewski
Tuesday 3 August 2021 06:08, UK
Great Britain's Oliver Townend, Laura Collett and Tom McEwen have won the gold medal in the eventing team competition at the Tokyo Olympics.
The team produced a dominant display in the showjumping finale at Tokyo Equestrian Park.
The trio of Townend, Collett and McEwen had led by 17.9 penalties following their outstanding cross-country rounds on Sunday.
And they comfortably retained top spot, with McEwen going clear on Toledo De Kerser, Collett having four faults aboard London 52 and Townend also collecting four with Ballaghmor Class.
It is Great Britain's first Olympic team gold in eventing since Munich 1972, while Australia took silver and France bronze.
The final British rider - Townend - had the luxury of knowing he could knock four fences down and still win gold, such was the team's dominance.
All three British riders were making Games debuts, but they delivered high-class displays to end a 49-year wait for team gold.
Britain finished on a score of 86.30, and it is a third equestrian medal in Tokyo for Team GB following Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester and Charlotte Fry winning dressage team bronze, and Dujardin also collecting an individual bronze.
It is only Britain's third Olympic team crown in eventing after Stockholm in 1956 and Munich 16 years later.
Reflecting on his round, McEwen said: "He is a class horse and a great jumper, so it was just up to me on top.
"My nerves were fine. They [Townend and Collett] are both brilliant riders, and I had no doubt they would pull it straight out of the bag quite easily and comfortably."
Collett, who dropped places individually after having one fence down, added: "He [London 52] was his normal self at the start, then I think there was a reflection off the water and he just spooked, basically.
"He got it back together. It's a shame, but it could have been a whole lot worse in that situation. It was a very clever course."
Townend made one mistake in his final round and dropped to fifth in the individual rankings, with Collett finishing ninth.
