Olympics

No joy in jump-off: Canada just misses podium in equestrian team event

Canada fell just short of claiming bronze as Germany posted three clear rounds to take hold of the final spot on the podium in a jump-off on Wednesday in Rio.

France claims gold for the 1st time since 1976 with only 3 faults

Canada's Eric Lamaze, riding Fine Lady 5, anchored the team equestrian jumping at the Rio Olympics en route to advancing to the individual final on Wednesday. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

By Amy Cleveland, CBC Sports

Canada's equestrian jumping team finished fourth after a jump-off with the powerhouse Germans in Wednesday's final, falling just short of a bronze medal.

France took team gold in jumping for the first time since 1976 with only three faults. The Americans earned silver.

Yann Candele had four faults to start the jump-off, Tiffany Foster followed with a clear round and Amy Millar's four faults could not hold up against Germany's three perfect results.

Team Canada anchor, Eric Lamaze, posted his third flawless round to put the squad in jump-off position with a total of eight faults. The team's veteran was the only rider with zero faults through three rounds of competition.

Canada's lead-off rider Candele appeared to put together the first perfect round of the day but pulled the final rail for four faults. His three-round total of eight faults was enough for him to move on to the individual final, where the scorecard is wiped clean.

Foster kept the team's medal hopes alive with a clear round within the time allowed, which brought her total in the individual qualification to eight and put Canada in position to reach the podium with two riders remaining.

Millar's 12-fault ride on Wednesday brought her total to 17, which was not enough for her to move on to Friday's individual round.