Olympic Equestrian: Defending Champ U.S. Faces Stiff Jumping Competition

Hong Kong, China (AHN) - The U.S. Equestrian team will have to be up to task Friday, as the defending champion competes in the Olympic jumping competition.

The U.S. is expected to field McLain Ward and horse Sapphire and Beezie Madden with Authentic, the same team that captured gold in the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The German squad, composed of world No. 1 Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and brother-in-law Ludger Beerbaum, will lead in challenging the reigning champions when competition kicks off in Shantin, Hong Kong.

The Netherlands will carry out its Olympic campaign despite losing rider Albert Zoer, ranked No. 2 in the World, to a training accident prior to the Summer Games.

The European champions will be relying on Team world champion Gerco Schroder and his horse Monaco for its medal quest.

Canada will likewise vie for a podium spot after finishing second to Brazil in the Pan American games last year.

Nine-time Olympian Ian Millar will lead the Canadian charge with rider Eric Lamaze lending support.

Switzerland will also contend for a medal and will be led by European Champion Christina Leibherr with teammate Steve Guerdat.

Show jumping is a timed event which tests the ability of the horse and rider to jump over a series of obstacles in a given order.

It was first included as an Olympic sport during the Stockholm Games in 1912.