Four teams penalty-free ahead of show jumping medal round

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Show jumping teams from the United States, Brazil, the Netherlands and Germany posted penalty-free rounds on Tuesday, putting them in a four-way tie ahead of the final round that will decide the Olympic medals on Wednesday.

Brazilian riders have thrilled the crowds in Deodoro park since jumping competition began on Sunday, with fans alternating cheering loudly and collectively hushing each other to allow the riders to concentrate.

"It is certainly more than we are used to. It gives us motivation not distraction," Brazil's Alvaro "Doda" de Miranda told reporters. "The horses feel the same."

To stay in contention for what would be Brazil's first show jumping medal since 2000, however, the home team will need strong performances from all three riders on Wednesday.

Their fourth, Stephan de Freitas Barcha, was disqualified after a jury decided he was guilty of using excessive force with his spurs.

Two riders, from Belgium and the Netherlands, were disqualified for the same reason on Sunday.

"That is not an ideal situation," De Miranda said. "We need to stick together and get it done with the three of us."

Teams are allowed to drop their worst score out of four in the team qualifications. The United States, for instance, did not count Beezie Madden's eight faults, or two rails down.

Eight teams qualified for the final team round, though some riders will jump again for individual medals on Friday.

Defending Olympic champions Britain did not make the cut.

(Reporting by Caroline Stauffer, editing by Ed Osmond)