At the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Tuesday's individual qualifier turned into a real thriller, where the cut for the thirty best was made after the last rider with time faults. Those on four faults or more missed out on Wednesday's individual final, after Spain's Santiago Varela presented the horses and riders with a brilliantly balanced course – that looked almost easy for some, and impossible for others. Tuesday's task was tough, with only thirty riders moving forwards to the final from the 73 in the qualifier – so everyone needed to be on top of their game to make it.
We look back at the individual qualifier, where Belgium's Gregory Wathelet and Nevados was one of the pairs that impressed with a round that was a pleasure to watch. Belgium qualified all their three individual competitors for today's final.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping. No reproduction of these images is permitted.
Harry Charles is only 22 years old, and made his Olympic debut with a superb clear round aboard Romeo 88 for Great Britain – another nation that had all their three individual competitors qualify for today's final.
Ireland looked extremely strong, with all the Irish rider making it through to today's final with clear rounds. Here Darragh Kenny who rode a determined and focused round with Cartello – a horse he only has been competing since May.
Malin Baryard-Johnsson looked to have her hands full with the feisty Indiana, but did not disappoint and delivered a clear round to join both her teammates Henrik von Eckermann and Peder Fredricson in the final.
The Japanese really impressed on home soil, with all their riders going through to the individual final. Koki Saito's Chilensky bucked his way around the course, and you have to wonder how it is possible to keep the balance and concentration in moments like this?
Ashlee Bond and Donatello 141 powered through the course with determination and qualified for the individual final for Israel with one of the best rounds of the day.
There was plenty to look at for the horses in the individual qualifier... Here Beat Mändli and Dsarie behind the traditional Japanese Daruma dolls. With one time penalty, Mändli just made it in for the individual final alongside his compatriot Martin Fuchs with Clooney 51 who delivered a clear round.
New Zealand's Bruce Goodin and Danny V had a misunderstanding at no. 7, the Crane jump, and while they made it to the other side a few poles fell.
Sri Lanka's Olympic debutant Mathilda Karlsson got in trouble at the Gold Fish upright, and then at the open water – which caused her elimination.
The open water caused problems for a few of the riders, one of them was Israel's Alberto Michan who parted ways with Cosa Nostra.
Sometimes it is just impossible to reach the other side, and that is what happened to Italy's Emanuele Gaudiano and Chalou after taking off way too early. It looked dramatic, but all went well with both horse and rider.
More than one horse took a disliking to the open water, here Kamil Papousek's Warness for the Czech Republic.
It's a tough sport! Luckily, this fall ended well and Syria's Ahmad Saber Hamcho and his horse Deville walked out of the ring ok.
Mexico's Enrique Gonzalez and Chacna had a great round until they ended up in the flower arrangements at their first attempt on the breathtaking Nikko Mausoleum. On their second attempt, they cleared the wall without problems.
This particular fence was a real heart breaker, the oxer at 13a – Japanese Hairpins and Bow, with delicate silver poles – that followed on four forward strides from the wall. The whole US squad got caught out on this fence, and missed out on qualifying for the individual final...
...here Kent Farrington and Gazelle that were among the favourites for an individual medal.
Portugal's Luciana Diniz was very happy with her clear round aboard the lovely Vertigo du Desert.
The first rider to leave the course intact was Egypt's Mouda Zeyada with Galanthos SHK, that qualified for the individual final after recording only a time fault.
New Zealand's Daniel Meech did a great round with Cinca 3 and was the last of the thirty riders who qualified after finishing on two time faults.
Canada had one individual competitor in the qualifier, and Mario Deslauriers delivered a clear round with Bardolina 2 to move forward to the final.
The French did not have a particular good day, with Mathieu Billot and Penelope Leprevost both getting refusals at the Sumo Tower & Wrestler upright. Nicolas Delmotte and Urvoso du Roch delivered though, and are qualified for today's final.
Yuri Mansur and Alfons secured a spot in today's individual final for Brazil.
Latvia's Kristaps Nerentnieks and Valour did a very good clear round and are in for today's individual final.
The oldest, the wisest, goes the saying. Norway's Geir 'Jimmy' Gulliksen was the oldest competitor at 61, but showed that age is just a number when qualifying for the final with Quatro after recording only a time penalty.
These two look to be on rising form, and might just be mighty good in today's final: Reigning European Champions Martin Fuchs and the veteran Clooney 51.
It was great to watch the Japanese riders deliver one strong performance after the other, here Daisuke Fukushima and Chanyon who set the standard with the first clear of the competition.
Today's individual final starts at 19.00 local time and last in the ring will be Great Britain's Ben Maher and Explosion W, who are the favourite candidates for the gold medal. No pressure, no pressure at all...
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