Bonne Chance Farm's Ilex is one of a three-horse team representing the United States to qualify for the show jumping final Aug. 2 at the Paris Olympics.
An 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood, Ilex is the first Olympic contender for Gilberto Sayão Da Silva's Bonne Chance Farm, a prominent racing and breeding operation near Lexington. Ilex is managed by Bonne Chance's burgeoning show jumping division, which is located in Maaseik, Germany.
ROLLINS: Bonne Chance on the Quest for Olympic Gold With Ilex
Ilex and rider and co-owner McLain Ward competed in the Olympic show jumping qualifier in Paris Aug. 1 along with their teammates, Laura Kraut and Baloutinue and Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque. Team USA ended the day with a final score of six faults, which leaves them in second in the standings heading into the final behind Germany.
Tomorrow’s Olympic jumping team final runs from 2–4 p.m. local time (8–10 a.m. EST).
In addition to Friday's event, Ilex will get another chance to compete for an Olympic medal Aug. 5 in the individual show jumping qualifier.
Complete results and replays from the show jumping qualifier can be viewed here.
