Sweden topped the US to take the Team Gold in Show Jumping after a nail biting jump off. It was the first gold medal for the team after a drought of 97 years, and the medal was well deserved. Henrik von Eckermann with King Edward, Malin Baryard-Johnson and Indiana and Peder Fredricson with All In jumped exceptionally well all week, including sending all three team riders to the individual medal finals. In fact, King Edward jumped clean over all six Olympic courses and All In had only one fence down. Both King Edward and All In compete barefoot!

The US team of Laura Kraut with Baloutinue, Jessica Springsteen with Don Juan van de Donhoeve and McLain Ward with Contagious collected silver, and Belgium earned the bronze.

Sweden looked to have the Gold Medal in the bag when their first two riders went clear, but Peder Fredicson and All In caught a rail on the very last fence, tying them with the American team at 8 points.

In the jump off, all three US riders went clear, with McClain Ward laying down a blistering ride on Contagious — a horse that was fresh as he replaced Kent Farrington and Gazelle, who rode in the individual events.

To win the gold, anchor rider Peder Fredricson and All In not only had to go clear, but to beat the collective time of the US team, Fredricson and All In had to lay down a time of 40.31 seconds or less to secure the gold. The two put in a stellar round and came across the finish line in 39.01 seconds — just 1.3 seconds ahead of the US. Fredricson and All In have a remarkable relationship. He’s owned the horse for 8 years, buying him as a 7-year old. Together they’ve earned two Olympic silver medals and now a gold!

“He’s an unbelievable horse, but if you saw him at a normal 1.40m show or in his stable, you wouldn’t say he was a superstar.

“However under these circumstances, when it’s really tough, that’s when he delivers. He’s so naturally careful, he’s really scopey, he’s really brave, he can shorten and lengthen, he’s just an amazing horse.

“He’s a bit of a funny character though – he’s lazy combined with having a really strong sense of flight and every day he’s different. He has a lot of personality,” said Peder.

Peder Fredricson describing All In, known as “alan” in the barn

Despite Great Britain’s Ben Maher earning the individual gold on Explosion W, the team withdrew after the first two riders garnered 24 faults between them, putting them out of medal contention. Maher announced that it was not in the best interests of Explosion W to jump another round in those circumstances.

Very impressive riding all around.