Olympics: France takes first gold of Games in team eventing

Rio de Janeiro: France won its first gold medal of the Rio Games in eventing on Tuesday in a dramatic show jumping final, rising two places from the cross country phase after riders from Australia and New Zealand knocked rails down.
Germany had to settle for silver as their Olympics' streak of two team titles ended despite their 2012 individual gold medallist Michael Jung posting a clear round with no penalties.
Australia took bronze while New Zealand, who were in the running for silver after the cross country, slipped to fourth after seven-time Olympian Mark Todd knocked three rails down.
Eventing is a three-phased sport including dressage, cross country and show jumping. France last won the team gold in Athens in 2004.
As well as deciding the team medals, the morning jumping round also served as a qualifier for a final jumping round to determine individual medals later on Tuesday.
Higher jumps were put up for the individual final, and riders walked it to the beat of French rap music.
France's Nicolas Astier, 27, was in third place after the cross country and posted a clear first jumping round with no penalties.
Australia's Christopher Burton, who was in first place after the cross country on Monday, knocked two rails down.