On Thursday afternoon, it was time for the second horse inspection at the Olympic Games in Tokyo ahead of Friday's team qualifier. There were smiles almost all around, so we decided to make an extra-large photo special with some of the many happy faces we met along the way – be it horses, grooms or riders. First out, some of our favourite boys on the Swiss team: Brian Balsiger, Martin Fuchs, Steve Guerdat and Beat Mändli.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping. No reproduction of these images is permitted.
Brazil's Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, his groom Andrea Hoenack and of course Edgar.
When one of the team members – read Marc Houtzager – was too quick and disappeared, we did a Dutch team photo of the handsome, dressed-up, boys without him: Willem Greve, Maikel van der Vleuten and Harrie Smolders.
So Marc, you get your own picture.
Rolf-Göran Bengtsson's Ermindo W, the Swedish reserve horse, seems to have the time of his life in Tokyo.
Find yourself a man who looks at you like Donatello looks at Ashlee Bond...
...cuddles...
...and hugs!
A happy Team Sweden after incredible performances individually: Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, Peder Fredricson, Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Henrik von Eckermann.
Did you get the photo Beat?
Best dressed? Niels Bruynseels, Jerome Guery, Pieter Devos, Peter Weinberg and Gregory Wathelet for Belgium.
The stunner Quel Homme de Hus and Jerome Guery.
Igor van de Wittemoere and Bandit Savoie.
Sean Vard and Clooney 51 looking great!
Well, we didn't get a German team photo with their two stallions and two mares, so we got Daniel Deusser instead and he delivered!
Hello from Nicolas Delmotte and Urvoso du Roch!
Brazil's living legend Rodrigo Pessoa and Carlito's Way. This is the 7th Olympic Games for Pessoa.
What's not to love about these two? Morocco's Abdelkebir Ouaddar and Istanbul v.h. Ooeivaarshof...
...no caption needed.
We see you Quabri, we see you...
Catch Me If You Can OLD is also a real eye-catcher. No matter where she is, you will notice her.
Laura Kraut and Baloutinue for Team USA.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the prettiest of them all? Chilensky!
A few more gorgeous greys... Armani SL Z...
...Hortensia van de Leeuwerk...
...Mumbai...
...and Saphyr des Lacs.
Harrie Smolders' Bingo du Parc is also a stunner!
Mclain Ward's Contagious is definitely not a horse you take for a walk in the park. Before, during and after the trot-up, his groom Lee McKeever had his hands full with a horse that was more in the air than on the ground. Contagious' US team-mates seemed to be well aware of his character and waited for him to be done with his trot-up, gave him enough space to quickly get his boots back on before he started his airy walk back to the stable. First after having a safe distance, the rest of the team started their walk back too.
A moment between Marlon Modolo Zanotelli's Edgar and his groom Andrea.
Yuri Mansur's stunning Alfons.
Team Argentina.
Team Brazil.
Not that easy to take a team photo when the team consists of two stallions, one mare and a gelding. Well, the Czech Republic did a good try, but Cento Lano unfortunately didn't fit into the camera.
Team Israel, unfortunately without Dani G. Waldmann who had to withdraw Queensland from the team competition.
Team Morocco.
Team Japan.
Babel throwing in a little buck for the occasion.
Individual bronze medallist Beauville Z taking it easy.
New Zealand's Bruce Goodin and Daniel Meech watching their team-mates do the trot-up.
Daisuke Fukushima and Chanyon have done an incredible job at the Olympics so far, jumping double clear to finish 6th individually.
Simon Delestre and Berlux Z will replace Matthieu Billot and Quel Filou in the team competition for France.
Kent Farrington's groom Denise Moriarty must have found the right spot to scratch on Gazelle.
Pieter Devos' groom Simon Rousic and Claire Z.
Morocco's El Ghali Boukaa and Ugolino del Clos.
Fabian Sejanes' Emir with a very pretty bridle.
Olympic Champions Ben Maher and Explosion W.
Kent Farrington looking his usual cool self, with Gazelle.
Golden Lady checking things out for Morocco, before she steps on to the team tomorrow.
Gregory Wathelet and the stunning Nevados.
Romeo 88 had his eyes set on his groom that was approaching him and Harry Charles.
Egypt's Nayel Nassar and the gorgeous Igor van de Wittemoere.
The beautiful Uncas.
Shane Sweetnam is in on the Irish team with Alejandro after Cian O'Connor decided to withdraw Kilkenny.
Bertram Allen's Pacino Amiro looking to the point.
Team Springsteen with the handsome Don Juan van de Donkhoeve.
Steve Guerat and Vernard de Cerisy hanging out.
A happy Peder Fredricson with his groom Alva Svensson and of course the hero All In.
Then