Olympics: First medal since 1924 for showjumping team

Willi Melliger and his horse Calvaro helped the Swiss win silver Keystone

Switzerland's riders, Markus Fuchs, Beat Mändli, Lesley McNaught and Willi Melliger have won silver behind Germany in the team showjumping competition.

Germany took the gold on a score of 15 penalties, Switzerland the silver on 16 and Brazil the bronze with 24.

It is the first medal for Switzerland in an equestrian team event for 76 years.

With its performance, Germany proved that it is showjumping’s best. It has won the event at three of the past four Olympics.

The Germans outclassed the opposition with clear rounds from Otto Becker and Lars Nieberg. A clear by Switzerland’s Willi Melliger on Calvaro in the second round was not enough to catch Germany.

The Swiss now have one gold, six silver and two bronze at the Sydney Olympics. Switzerland’s tally of nine medals is the highest at an Olympics since Helsinki in 1952.

The individual showjumping medals will be decided on October 1.

swissinfo with agencies