100 riders set out on the 160 km ride across the Kentucky countryside at dawn on the morning after the opening ceremony.
Riders from the United Arab Emirates team would dominate the team competition with three of them finishing in the first eight home.
In the individual competition HE Sheikh Mohammed, husband of FEI President Princess Haya, decided it was in the best interests of his UAE team that he rode as an individual and he would secure the silver medal after dropping to 14th at the second vetgate.
However nobody could live with the reigning World and European champions Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton and her hugely durable 15 year old French bred gelding Nobby. They led from the third vetgate and steadily increased their lead through the rest of the ride to finish over a minute in front of HE Sheikh Mohammed riding the 7 year old Ciel Oriental. This victory by the Spanish rider was achieved just 7 weeks after giving birth to her daughter.
Commentary by Ian Williams
Approx running time 52 mins
