NICOLA Wilson was ecstatic after picking up an Olympic silver medal yesterday in the team eventing in London.
Northallerton-based Wilson, on Opposition Buzz, and the Great Britain team rode superbly once again in the third and final round to pip New Zealand to second place behind a dominant Germany quintet.
Another strong phase by the Brits in the showjumping enabled them to make up some ground, Mary King, Tina Cook, Zara Phillips and William Fox-Pitt also doing their best to peg back the gap behind the Germans.
It was almost too much for Wilson to bear after she rode early in the order, but she was happy with what she saw as King and Cook rode clear rounds to the delight of another packed house in Greenwich Park.
“I’m so, so pleased,” Wilson said. “It would’ve been lovely to have a clear round but we gave it our best.
“The home support was unreal, absolutely electric. We have to be pleased with our performances in all three phases and we put ourselves in this great position.
“I couldn’t wait for it to be all over and had to keep my fingers crossed. It’s more nerve-wracking to be watching than competing – it’s a case of biting the fingernails while the rest of the riders go.”
In fact, Wilson was unfortunate to be denied a crack at a second medal of the day, as her jumping score put her in the qualifying places for the individual final only to fall victim of Team GB's success.
Only three of each country's five riders can go through and Wilson, in 19th place, had her compatriots King, Cook and Phillips ahead of her. All three had top-ten finishes in the afternoon's individual standings but outside the medals.
Having picked up four jumping penalties, Wilson knew what might have made the difference for her: a problematic sixth fence.
“I was gutted to have a fence down, but he has a unique way of jumping and jumped beautifully,” she said of Opposition Buzz. “We had walked the distance, so at the sixth I have to blame myself.
“The horse was in fantastic shape but I should’ve said ‘hey, come here’ and slowed us down.”
But Wilson, 35, is already plotting to take on the Germans again in the next Games in four years’ time.
She said: “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for the past six to eight weeks.
“I’m just delighted to be here and I hope to look forward to another four years of more of the same. Roll on Rio.”
• Lloyds TSB, proud supporter of Team GB and proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Get closer to the Games at lloydstsb.com/london2012
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