YOG 2010: Show jumper Scuadmore scoops Youth Olympic gold

From Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat, in Singapore

GREAT Britain's Carian Scuadmore's European team claimed show jumping gold at the Youth Olympic Games - but she admits her hopes of individual success are now hanging by a thread.

CELEBRATE: Carian Scudamore (bottom left) celebrates with European team-mates after winning show jumping gold at the Youth Olympic Games (Singapore Press Holdings)

European junior champion Scudamore was part of a five-strong team that took podium top spot in a jump-off with Oceania and Africa, claiming silver a bronze. It is Great Britain's third gold of the Games, following earlier success in taekwondo and rowing.

Scudamore jumped a clear final round to maintain Europe's medal challenge and picked up only four penalty points in the jump-off.

But the shine was taken off the win by an injury to her troubled horse Mighty McGyver. Riders at the Youth Olympics compete on borrowed horses and Scudamore was already concerned when her assigned mount picked up an allergic reaction to the turf being used for the event.

"It's an absolutely amazing feeling to have won the gold medal, especially as I'm such good friends with the European guys," said Scudamore.

"The only bad thing is that my horse has gone lame now and so that is going to make it really difficult in the individual.

"We are not sure exactly what is wrong with him yet but he is not going to be able to compete because I wouldn't want to do him any more damage because he is a great horse.

"I was feeling really confident but it is going to be really hard now."

Scudamore will now be assigned a new horse and will have just one day to get used to it ahead of the first round of the individual event on Sunday.

And with very little time to prepare and a potentially sub-standard horse to ride, Scudamore admits she might have to give up on her double medal dream.

"The reserve horses are not that great and I won't have any choice which one I get it will just be drawn out of a hat," added Scudamore.

"It's a real shame but to have one gold medal already is an amazing feeling."

  Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games. Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012