Germany wins first Olympic equestrian gold

HONG KONG - Germany won the first Olympic Eventing Team gold medal in the three-day eventing at the Shatin Equestrian Venue here Tuesday night after a tight fight with Australia and Great Britain.

Germany finished on 166.10 penalty points ahead of Australia on 171.20 points. Britain secured third place on 185.70 points.

German Hinrich Romeike celebrates with his horse "Marius" during the equestrian eventing competition of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 12, 2008 in Hong Kong. Germany won gold in the three-day eventing team competition while Australia won the silver medal and Great Britain the bronze. [Agencies]

Sweden placed fourth on 230.50 points while New Zealand ranked fifth on 240.90 points.

Three-day eventing combines the dressage, cross-country and jumps.

At Olympic Games (1912-2004), German dressage, show jumping and eventing riders won 76 medals - 35 gold, 19 silver and 23 bronze medals.