United States Eventing Association

Martin 10th Individually, U.S. Team Seventh at 2024 Paris Olympics

Paris, France—July 29—The U.S. Eventing Team wrapped up their Paris Olympics this afternoon with a seventh-place finish on a score of 133.7. Boyd Martin and Federman B and Liz Halliday and Nutcracker made it into the individual jumping final where they finished 10^th and 19^th, respectively.

In the team jumping round, Martin and “Bruno,” the Annie Goodwin Syndicate's 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Eurocommerce Washington x Paulien B), jumped a classy clear over Santiago Varela (ESP) and Gregory Bodo’s (FRA) show jumping course.

“Bruno looked like he bounced back from the cross-country really well,” said Martin, who completed his fourth Olympics today. “We had a pretty short warmup—we didn’t do too many fences. In the back of your mind, you’re trying to save a little bit of juice for the second round. I’m just blessed to have a super jumper. He didn’t touch a jump in the warmup and came into the round and jumped like a superstar.”

Martin and Bruno went on to jump clear in the individual round to finish on a score of 32.1.

“The biggest thing is just getting his body loose,” he said. “They’re usually a bit stiff from the grueling effort yesterday. We just did a couple of small jumps. I have Peter Wylde and Erik [Duvander] in the warmup. We didn’t pressure him too much. It was an amazing atmosphere as you walk down the tunnel, and Bruno didn’t disappoint.”

While Martin had a strong individual result, he was disappointed with the team outcome.

“It’s heartbreaking to be honest,” he said. “I’ve felt like we’ve been so close so many times. It’s my fourth Olympics, and my career’s probably in the second half now. The beginning of our week felt a bit doomed after the kerfuffle with Will’s horse. I thought everyone tried hard. It’s a tough sport. It’s a game of inches. It’s a bit deflating. Everyone always dreams of wearing a medal, and it’s not going to happen this weekend.”

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding HSH Blake (Tolan R x Doughiska Lass) owned by Pamukcu, Deniz Pamukcu, Sherrie Martin, and Mollie Hoff, added one rail and .4 time penalties to finish on 66.8 in the team round. They did not qualify in the top 25 for the individual round.

“He’s unbelievable,” she said. “My rail was totally my fault. I just got there a little too soon in the eight, and I should have been better with my shoulders. I thought he would have been a little bit spookier because it’s a black and gold rail with a liverpool, and the sun’s reflecting on it, so that was my fault, but then the rest was super. He’s really wise above his years, and I think there’s a big future ahead of us. He didn’t do anything wrong this weekend. He’s a bit of a unicorn.”

Pamukcu picked up 20 penalties on cross-country yesterday, and admitted she’s disappointed, but has enjoyed the experience of her first Olympic Games.

“It’s unbelievable what the federation [USEF] has done for me, and I’m so proud to represent my country. I just keep trusting in the process they have planned for me and keep working and working harder than ever,” she said. “Obviously I’m disappointed, but mostly I’m disappointed for my team and my country because they put so much resources in me. I’m disappointed for Blake because he’s literally perfect. I’ve learned a lot, but at the same time I think our federation’s really set me up for this. It feels like any other championship. I think they’re doing a really good job bringing up the next generation.”

Halliday was also taking on her first Olympics, and was thrilled with Nutcracker, the Nutcracker Syndicate's 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Tolan R x Ballyshan Cleopatra). They added .8 time penalties in the team round and one rail and 1.2 time penalties in the individual round.

“I’m over the moon,” said Halliday. “He’s such a wonderful horse, and he’s come out like he’s done absolutely nothing. He jumped today like he would a day out at the World Equestrian Center [Ocala, Florida]. That’s all I can ask of him. He gave me such a good round and such a good feel in all that atmosphere. This is such a good learning experience for him, and he’ll be an even better horse next year for it.”

Halliday got a late call-up to the team when Will Coleman’s Diabolo was not fit to compete.

“I haven’t quite processed it yet,” she said. “I don’t think I will until Wednesday when I’m home. Especially because I got drafted in so late, I think it’s been a whirlwind of, ‘OK, you really are doing this, so put your head down and do it.’ I’ve tried to just make it another day and not let the enormity of it get in my head, and I think that’s been really helpful.”

A full recap of the team competition is to come.

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