Dutton wins equestrian medal for US

Phillip Dutton's individual eventing bronze medal was not his first time on an Olympic podium, but it was his first medal for the United States.

Dutton, 52, a six-time Olympian, twice took team gold representing Australia before he became a US citizen in 2006 and began competing for the country he has lived in since 1991.

"In Australia people learn to ride not quite so much in an orchestrated way ... they learn to ride on their own a bit more," said Dutton, who grew up riding on his parents' sheep and wheat farm. "In America it's a bit more managed.

"The US has had some great riders as well traditionally, hopefully there will be more medals ahead."

Dutton needed to turn to sheer grit as well as skill to get through Monday's tough cross country course when he lost a stirrup but still managed to clear a difficult combination with the horse Mighty Nice.

The 2004 Irish Sport Horse had a personal best in dressage, and was in fourth place with Dutton, who is based in Pennsylvania, going into Tuesday's final show jumping round.

"I had a rail down and was thinking hopefully I'd stay in fourth, then the guy in front of me had two rails down," said Dutton.

The team event was won by France, with Germany second, whose team member Michael Jung nabbed his second consecutive individual gold with the horse Sam.

Dutton's former team, Australia came third.