German Team riders are dominating dressage
Photo: Thomas Ix.
The Longines FEI Eventing European Championships concluded its dressage phase today. Michael Jung (GER) and Fischer Chipmunk FRH moved into first with a fantastic score of 20.90 points, closely followed by Ingrid Klimke (GER) with SAP Hale Bob OLD on 22.20 and Laura Collett (GBR) in third with London 52 (25.50).
Michael Jung couldn’t have wished for a better start to the European Championship. A glorious 10 at the beginning and end of his dressage test put him and Fischer Chipmunk FRH in the lead before tomorrow’s cross-country: “I am delighted with Chipmunk’s performance today. He is a fantastic and very intelligent horse, which has been carefully produced. He was slightly nervous to begin with but settled quickly into the test. We had a slight hick-up in the walk but was otherwise superb. The cross-country course is going to be fantastic. It has been built beautifully, however, the time will be crucial and should not be underestimated. Riding too fast might cause run-outs, so concentration throughout is going to be needed. There are many interesting but very clear questions, making this a fabulous championship course.”
Photo: Thomas Ix.
With just 1.30 points behind Jung is the reigning European Champion Ingrid Klimke (GER), who couldn’t have been happier with her gelding’s performance today: “Bobby was proud as a Spaniard coming into the arena where the atmosphere has been fantastic today. He was perfectly relaxed, which made riding the test so easy.”
The two German Team riders are followed by yesterday’s overnight leader and British team rider Laura Collett with London 52 on her score of 25.50.
The strong team effort from Germany was completed by Kai Rüder (25.80) with Colani Sunrise, who is currently in fourth position. The superb dressage result of 68.90 points provides the German Team with a comfortable advantage over the other teams for tomorrow’s cross-country. The British Team is currently in second place (85.70), hoping for fast clear rounds in order to secure their position for a medal. They are closely followed by Belgium with 90.90 points in third.
Martin Plewa, President Ground Jury said, “the cross-country course is, according to all riders and officials, a true championship track. The many different and challenging questions are placed evenly across the course, all fair and inviting with plenty of alternative options.”
The first pair riding the course designed by Mike Etherington-Smith will be starting at 10am tomorrow morning.
Today’s thoughts on the cross-country course:
Karin Donckers: “It’s a beautiful course as always in Luhmühlen. The ground is perfect and the questions are challenging but fair and clear. Should anything not go according to plan, then there is always an option for plan B or C.”
Chris Bartle: “This is a challenging championship course with many technical questions to answer. Time is going to be a deciding factor too as riders will have to choose direct routes to be in with a chance to stay within the optimum time whilst staying absolutely focused to avoid unexpected run-outs.”
Josefa Sommer: “I am really looking forward to tomorrow. I have a very safe cross-country horse and all questions are very clear, which is why I plan to ride direct routes at least for now.”
Kristina Cook: “The way the fences are situated it is very easy to make mistakes. It’s going to be a proper gold medal winning performance if you manage to go round clear and stay within the optimum time tomorrow. You have to be very open-minded – there are so many options. You can’t predict now which option you are going to go for, you have to be flexible as a rider.”
Sandra Auffarth: “I am really looking forward to tomorrow’s cross-country. The course looks awesome. It’s definitely challenging but the questions are fair and clear.”
Tim Lips: “The cross-country course is very cleverly built. I think Mike Etherington-Smith wanted to make sure we concentrate all the way round. You need to read the course really well.”
Oliver Townend: “The course is beautifully designed and built. I am a great fan of Mike Etherington-Smith’s courses. There are no blind questions. If you are on your line and you and your horse are focused on the job it should ride well.”
From Horse Sport Ireland:
Impressive Dressage performance puts Ireland in medal hunt at Eventing European Championships in Germany
Sally Corscadden’s Irish Eventing team of Cathal Daniels, Sam Watson, Ciaran Glynn and Sarah Ennis, are in fifth place overall and just a few points outside the medal places following today’s (Friday) Dressage phase of the FEI Eventing European Championships at Luhmühlen in Germany.
Ireland are on a score of 94.10 and are less than four penalties behind Belgium who are in bronze medal position on 90.90. Germany lead on 68.90 ahead of Britain in second on 85.70. An incredibly tight leaderboard is expected to throw up many changes among the 12 participating nations after Saturday’s Cross Country phase.
Galway’s Cathal Daniels is 13th on the individual standings with Rioghan Rua (ISH) on a score of 29.0, while Carlow’s Sam Watson is in 16th with Tullabeg Flamenco (ISH) on 29.6. Ciaran Glynn is in 45th with November Night (ISH(TIH) on 35.5, while Irish individual rider Tony Kennedy is 46th with Westeria Lane (ISH) on 35.6, just ahead of Sarah Ennis and Horseware Woodcourt Garrison (ISH) in 48th on 36.0.
Team manager Sally Corscadden (pictured) is delighted with how her team has performed so far but also warned that riders will have to remain focused during the Cross Country:
“It has been a very good day and we’re in a strong position going into Cross Country tomorrow. All to play for and our riders will have to show respect and keep their focus all the way round the course. All the combinations performed as well as they could in the Dressage and we have to thank Ian Woodhead for all his brilliant training throughout the year and especially at the championships,” Corscadden said.
The European Championships are also an Olympic qualifier however the Irish Eventing team have already booked their tickets to Tokyo following their brilliant silver medal winning performance at last years World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA.
Saturday’s Cross Country gets underway at 9am Irish time with Ciaran Glynn the first of the Irish starters at 9.24am. Sarah Ennis starts at 10.40am followed by Tony Kennedy at 11.28am. Cathal Daniels starts his round at 12.36pm while Sam Watson will be last of the Irish riders to start at 1.56pm.
