Written by: Sophie Baker

https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/eventing/great-performances-ros-canter-allstar-b-tryon

13. Ros Canter & Allstar B, Tryon 2018

In September 2018, at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon (USA), British eventer Rosalind Canter and Allstar B delivered a masterclass across all phases.

The Briton emerged victorious, capturing Individual gold and Team gold for Great Britain in what was a stunning campaign.

Solid start

Canter began the competition with a solid dressage test that helped Great Britain to second place by the end of the phase. A score of 24.6 meant she was within reach of the leaders, Germany’s Julia Krajewski and Ingrid Klimke, who had both started strongly.

Moving to the second phase, the competitors faced a cross country that was designed to push the world’s best combinations to their limits. The Mark Phillips-designed course was challenging, but you wouldn’t have guessed it from the way Canter and Allstar took it on.

The pair tackled everything with the ease of a far more seasoned combination, and their clear round within the optimum time catapulted them up the leaderboard into second place, with Germany’s Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD leading the pack. Canter described her horse as “absolutely amazing, a hero.”

Test of nerves

The jumping phase was a test of nerves for everyone involved. With an Individual placing within reach and a clear round needed to secure GB’s Team victory, Canter entered the ring with everything at stake. A hard rattle of the Longines fence had British fans covering their eyes, but she remained clear to the end, clinching the Team gold medal.

Canter could now only watch on as Klimke, her only rival for the Individual prize, made her way around the ring. The Germans were handling the course beautifully and were well within the time until a dramatic twist. On the final vertical, just metres from the end, Klimke knocked down a rail to add four penalty points. While agonising for the German star, it meant the Briton was the World champion.

A thrilled Canter said: “There were quite a few tears when I found out, which isn’t normal for me. It’s just incredible for me and the whole support team behind Team Great Britain. It’s just the most incredible feeling, and a very surreal day.”

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Words by Sophie Baker