HIGH UP

The choice of Mexico City to host the 1968 Olympics was a controversial one because of the city's high altitude, 2,300m, which meant that the air contained 30% less oxygen than at sea level. The rarefied air proved a great difficulty to many athletes competing in endurance events, such as Eventing. It had been pointed out that racehorses competing in Mexico City arrive just the day before and leave right after the race. On the other hand, horses for the 1955 Pan American Games in Mexico City had arrived several weeks before to adjust. It was, finally, concluded that after a spontaneous adjustment to the high altitude in the first week, a serious loss of strength and form occurred from the 10^th to the 20^th day. Thus an adjustment period of three to four weeks was advised. The horses from the Soviet Union, Argentina and Ireland were, in mid-September, the first to arrive. The last to stable were France and Germany on 28 September, i.e. 20 days before the start of the competitions on 18 October.

TROPICAL TORRENTS

The selection of the site for Eventing had also caused controversy. Originally Oaxtepoc, 110km south of the capital at 1,450 m altitude had been chosen. But the tough stony ground and a subtropical climate forced the FEI to ask for an alternative. The golf club of Avandaro, in the Valle de Bravo, 150 km north-west of Mexico City was proposed. It had an altitude of 1,800 m, but was famous for its mild climate, with a permanent breeze from a nearby lake. Ignored was the fact that from October to March tropical rain fell almost every day. The rainfall promptly came on cross-country day. It only lasted 30 minutes but the small two-meter stream serving as obstacle number 34 was now 10 to 12 meters wide, with no visible take-off point.

The programme of the equestrian competitions was held over eight days with two rest days in between.

TWO GERMAN TEAMS

Of particular interest was the first participation of Dressage and Eventing riders form the German Democratic Republic. In 1960 and 1964, their Eventers were part of a unified German team. This time they were allowed to enter under their own flag. This happened again in 1972. After that equestrian sport was considered by the GDR sports authorities as no guarantee for medals and thus eliminated from further Olympic consideration.

Key Facts and Figures (general):

·                 112 nations

·                 5,516 athletes (781 women; 4,735 men)

·                 20 sports

·                 For the first time, the winners had to undergo a doping test (narcotics, stimulants). The 1968 Games saw the first drug disqualification, as a competitor tested positive…for excessive alcohol.

Key Facts and Figures (equestrian):

·                 18 nations (Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, East Germany, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Soviet Union, Switzerland, USA)

·                 126 entries (51 in Jumping; 26 in Dressage; 49 in Eventing)

·                 The equestrian competitions were timed manually and electronically; for the first time, the electronic time was the official one. 

JUMPING (51 riders from 16 countries)

The victory of Canada in their first Olympic appearance, the crowning of Bill Steinkraus’ glorious career and a bizarre incident involving the Irish team highlighted the Jumping competitions.

The Irish incident happened after their first rider; Diana Conolly-Carew, was eliminated. By some misunderstanding the message was brought to the Irish chef de’équipe that the whole team was eliminated. Thus Ada Matheson’s horse went back to the stable and was not at the ingate when she was called. Ned Campion, the third Irish rider, was later ready and allowed to jump the course. But with only three riders to a team Ireland was eliminated. This was all the more annoying since the Irish had decided to forego the individual competition and concentrate on the team.

The three courses of the individual competition measured as follows: A: 750m / B: 410m; jump-off: 370m. Round B was a puissance-type course with an oxer 1.65 / 1.70m x 2.20 m as the major obstacle. There were 10,000 spectators.

The course for the team competition was measured at 631m with 14 obstacle necessitating 17 jumping efforts. But only four of the 87 rounds were inside the time of 96 seconds. It has been argued that the coursed was actually 693m long.

DRESSAGE (26 riders from 9 nations)

The programme consisted of 33 movements.

There were eight full teams of three and two individual riders form Mexico. Seven qualified for the ride-off. Germany and the Soviet Union shared the top fours places individually and won gold and silver with the teams. Switzerland, the silver medallists of Tokyo 1964, dropped to third. Following the judging scandal of 1956, the judges came France, Chile and the Netherlands, none of which had a rider competing.

After the Grand Prix, Josef Neckermann (FRG) and Mariano had a comfortable lead: 948 points against 908 for Ivan Kizimov (URS)/Ikhor and 896 for Reiner Klimke (FRG)/Dux. The ride-off (6min. 45sec. compared with 12min. 30sec. for the Grand Prix) resulted in a change of leader. Kizimov received 664 points while Neckermann managed only 598. Thus it was gold for Kizimov, silver for Neckerman and bronze for Klimke.

EVENTING (49 riders from 13 nations)

There was plenty of drama on days three and four of the Eventing competition. During the Cross-Country, several horses were clearly in distress due to the heavy rain that had come after 30 of the 49 riders. There were two horse fatalities: Ballerina from the Soviet Union and Loughlin from Ireland. However, these fatalities had occurred before the big rain.

The 35 jumps were designed by Mario Becerril, who had competed in the 1952 Olympic three-day event. After endurance day Jean-Jacques Guyon, Jim Wofford and Pavel Deev were less than 10 points apart. In the Jumping Guyon and Pitou had 10.25 points and earned individual gold. Wofford and Kilkenny had a disappointing round, with a fall, which dropped them to sixth place. Deev’s fate was even worse. The Soviet rider was last to go and with a good round he could win individual gold and team bronze. But after obstacle 5 he took the wrong course and was eliminated. This brought silver to 54-year-old Derek Allhusen on the 10 –year-old Lochinvar. Bronze went to Michael Page on Foster. The British, with Derek Allhusen, Richard Meade, Staff Sergeant Ben Jones and student nurse Jane Bullen won team gold, ahead of the USA and Australia.

To find out more about the equestrian events includes ,  to see the medallists and full results of 1968 Olympic Games. click here.

The medallists and full results can be found here.