Beezie Madden and Authentic Win Bronze in Exciting Jump Off
By Kathryn Brim, Editor/Webmaster

In an exciting jump off to determine the three top riders, 7 vied for bronze with 2 jumping to determine gold and silver. In the end, Eric Lamaze and his horse Hickstead riding for Canada came out on top, jumping a perfect round, with Sweden's Rolf-Foran Bengtsson receiving the silver after having a rail down.

The United States' Beezie Madden was able to hold off the other 6 riders, including team member McLain Ward, to win bronze. Ward was the first of the Americans to ride and stunned the crowd by taking a short cut between fences setting Sapphire up with a very short approach to the next fence. They cleared it with ease, only to go on to the final jump with a little too much speed, knocking it down for 4 faults. Madden and Authentic followed in Ward's footsteps using the same shortcut over a few bushes, but was able to finish the course with no faults. 

A third rider also attempted the short cut, but was not able to complete a clear round. This is Madden's second Olympic appearance riding Authentic, and their third Olympic medal.