Clear round for Simpson in show jumping

Will Simpson completed a clear round on the first night of equestrian show jumping at the Olympics in Hong Kong. The United States team was the only country with three double clear rounds.
Simpson, a 48-year-old from Thousand Oaks competing in his first Olympics, is riding Carlsson vom Dach, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding, and had is described as having made light work of the course.
"We walked the course and talked about some options to better prepare him for later on in the competition because sometimes he can be a handful," said Simpson. "It was one of the thrills of my life. To have a horse like this -- that can do this -- is so special. I'm so lucky. He really wants to jump clean and everything worked out just as we had planned in there. I have a lot of confidence in my horse."
The show jumpers return to the ring on Sunday evening for the first leg of the team competition. They will jump in reverse order by team based on the standings of the top three riders from each team in today's competition.
"I've learned more in the last six months than I have in the last 35 years of riding," said Simpson. "The team work and the dedication is an unbelievable experience."