The United States equestrian team, with a stellar performance from Bonne Chance Farm's Ilex, earned a silver medal Aug. 2 in the team show jumping competition behind gold medal winner Great Britain at the Paris Olympics.
Ilex, part of a three-horse team representing the United States, is an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood for Gilberto Sayão Da Silva's Bonne Chance Farm, a prominent racing and breeding operation in Central Kentucky. Bonne Chance's burgeoning show jumping division, located in Maaseik, Germany, manages Ilex.
ROLLINS: Bonne Chance Pursues Olympics With Ilex
Co-owner McLain Ward was aboard Ilex for a penalty-free run, and he collected his fifth Olympic medal in this team event. Karl Cook aboard Carcole De La Roque and Laura Kraut on Baloutinue were others involved in the U.S. team's second-place finish.
Their achievement was a bright spot for the U.S. team in Paris. The U.S. was unable to earn a medal in the eventing competition and did not qualify for either the team or individual dressage finals.
Ilex gets another chance to compete for an Olympic medal Aug. 5 in the individual show jumping qualifier.
