Roundup: China's equestrian team eliminated

China's team show jumpers, Huang Zuping, Zhang Bin, Zhao Zhiwen and Li Zhenqiang, were all edged out after a poor showing that yielded 99 team penalties in the Olympic show-jumping competition Sunday night at the Shatin Equestrian Venue.

Among the 16 jumping teams participated in the contest, China's team placed the last one on 99 penalty points.

Only top eight teams plus the top individuals for a total of 50 horse-and-rider combinations will go through to the team final on Monday and the individual final on Thursday.

For the first time, China has fielded riders for the 11-day competitions in the Olympic Equestrian events that kicked off here on August 9.

"I am not satisfied. We did not have enough time to warm up, and that had a great effect on our performance", said Huang after the competition.

Another Chinese rider, Zhang bin, said that he expected his horse Coertis to have a better performance, however, he said Coertis was very nervous, adding "the atmosphere created great pressure on him".

"Every new round is a new challenge for the horse, and he did not have enough time to prepare for the water obstacle. My horse is young and inexperienced", said Zhang.

Team Hong Kong, China, ranked 15th, was also eliminated.

Patrick Lam, rider from team Hong Kong, China, remains the only hope for a medal in the Individual final on Thursday. Among the 50 qualifiers, he ranked 22nd place on 9 penalty points after Sunday' s 2nd Individual Qualifier of the Jumping competition.

"It's fantastic to have a chance to enter the second round. I never imagined it in my life ," Lam told reporters.

On his performance, Lam said "I'm an amateur. I don't expect only two knockdowns. I feel really fantastic, like a pop star."

Patrick Lam, 25, and his horse Urban were among 13 riders to jump clear rounds in the initial stage on Friday.

Lam's fellow Hong Kong riders Kenneth Cheng, Samantha Lam, were also disqualified.

Top eight teams have qualified for the Monday's team final. They are Switzerland, United States, Sweden, Great Britain, Canada, Netherlands, Norway, Germany and Australia.

Mclain Ward of the United States and Eric Lamaze from Canada placed first in Sunday's Jumping Individual 2nd Qualifier with zero penalties. Top 50 qualified riders will battle for the individual gold on Thursday.

There are a total of six Olympic equestrian medals. The Germans have already bagged three gold metals in equestrian competition so far -- team and individual eventing and the team dressage.

Source:Xinhua