Germany won the Olympic gold medal in the equestrian team eventing on Tuesday, offering rich compensation for their disqualification at the Athens Games. Germany had overtaken hot favourites Australia in the cross-country leg of the three-day event on Monday, and held their nerve in the show jumping before a capacity crowd.
Australia took the silver and Britain the bronze. "That was a huge stone that fell from my heart," Frank Ostholt told reporters after his clear round. Germany's victory erased bitter memories of the Athens fiasco when they were stripped of their team eventing gold.
Bettina Hoy was disqualified for crossing the starting line in a warm-up lap before the show jumping. She also lost her individual gold. "I feel happy, very happy. I'm thankful to possess such a wonderful magic horse," Hinrich Romeike said of his mount Marius.