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Harry Charles and Romeo 88 had an incredible performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Their clear round kept Britain in the lead in team showjumping. This performance was a highlight of the event.
Harry Charles’ Remarkable Round
Harry Charles called his round “probably the best of my life.” He rode Romeo 88, a 15-year-old gelding co-owned with Ann Thompson. Charles and Romeo had a perfect round. They had no jumping or time penalties. This helped Britain stay at the top with just one fault.
From Injury to Triumph
Charles’ achievement is impressive because of his recent injury. Four weeks before the Olympics, he broke his arm at Aachen. Despite this, he rode exceptionally well. Romeo, his experienced horse, also performed brilliantly.
The Impact on the Team’s Standing
Current Standings
Britain leads the team showjumping event after the second round. They have one fault. France is in second place with three faults. The US is third with four faults. Karl Cook’s clear round with Caracole De La Roque was key for the US team. Ireland is in fourth place with five faults.
Challenges for Other Teams
Sweden, the 2021 Olympic champions, are in seventh place. Henrik von Eckermann and Rolf-Goran Bengtsson had issues. Their faults affected their position. Von Eckermann struggled with a difficult line in the course.
Ireland’s Performance
Daniel Coyle and his mare Legacy had a great clear round for Ireland. However, Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz faced problems. Sweetnam clipped the final fence and added a time fault. This affected the team’s score. Despite this, Coyle is hopeful for a podium finish.
Legacy’s Contribution
Coyle praised Legacy as an “amazing” mare. He noted her dedication and skill. Legacy consistently performs well. Her clear round has been crucial for Ireland’s position.