A historic moment...

Coverage of equestrian at the Olympics has historically been sparse. You usually have to tune in to the off-peak hours to maybe catch a glimpse of a horse. However, the 1984 Games in Los Angeles were different. On August 12, 1984, the show jumping competition was broadcasted live from Santa Anita Park and horse enthusiasts everywhere rejoiced. The competition even proved enthralling enough for non-horse people. The jump-off that day between the American riders Joe Fargis and Conrad Homfeld was thrilling for everyone watching. Even though there was no question that an American would win the gold, everyone still held their breath when Fargis' Thoroughbred mare Touch of Class executed the final round flawlessly and claimed the Gold. Following the solid event coverage from ABC, the three show jumping medalists went on to a victory lap in the Coliseum, earning more attention than anyone ever thought possible. The following pictures have been republished with permission from The Chronicle of the Horse, www.chronofhorse.com.