BRITAIN's riders were pushed out of the medal places in Greenwich Park after today's individual showjumping competition.

Team GB had ridden well in the opening round, with Scott Brash and Nick Skelton two of six riders not to pick up any penalty points.

This made for a tense afternoon among the fences for competitors and spectators alike, knowing one knockdown or a couple of seconds over the time limit could end medal hopes.

Britain's Ben Maher, who picked up four penalties in the early round, was given a rousing reception by the Greenwich crowds, but picked up another four in the afternoon after some hesitant riding meant horse tripple X took a fence down.

With penalty points massing up for the riders on a tough course, Irishman Cian O'Connor put in a stellar performance, punching the air as he finished, but he was just over the 80 second time limit to land himself one penalty.

Swiss rider Steve Guerdat was the first to go clear in both rounds, making short work of the buses, buildings and Cutty Sark, which make up the course's jumps.

Brash took a fence down halfway through his attempt and finished inside the time limit but with four penalties, dashing his podium chances and heaping pressure on Skelton.

When the Brit rode in Big Star, knowing he needed a clear round, the crowd roared their support before settling down into a nervous silence.

Sadly for him, he clipped the Cutty Sark fence and that was the end of Great Britain's hopes.

That ride meant Guerdat scooped gold with a jump-off between Dutchman Gerco Schroder and O'Connor to decide the silver and bronze places.

Unfotunately for the Irishman, a last gasp brush with the final fence cost him silver and he finished third.

Sadly for the Irishman