FEI European Jumping Championship: Germany wins its 6th Gold

The second round of the Team competition started this afternoon under a torrential rain.

The German team composed of Marco Kutscher, Christian Ahlmann, Meredith Michaels Beerbaum and Marcus Ehning was simply unbeatable today, and conquered the gold with a total of 18 points. Kutscher scored an impeccable double clear with Montender, and is now leading the individual classification, ahead of team-mate Christian Ahlmann on Coster. At the end of the prize giving ceremony, the euphoric German team threw their Chef d’Equipe Kurt Gravemeier into the water Jump, which was conveniently situated just behind the podium.

This is the 6th Team title for Germany (after 1975, 1981, 1997, 1999 and 2003).

“This was the first ever Championship for Checkmate” explained a delighted Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum after the competition. “We had a good first round but he got spooky at the double Liverpool. The second round was great until the last combination. Maybe I overrode that one, but Checkmate showed a lot of spirit and character, even if he needs more experience at this level.”

Silver went to Switzerland, which concluded the two rounds with a total of 16 penalties and an overall score of 34.42. The veteran of the Swiss squad, Markus Fuchs, 50, had a disastrous first round with La Toya III and scored an unusual total of 16 points (and was therefore the drop score of the team). “I am disappointed with my result, but really proud of my team members. Tonight I look at this medal as a gift from my team”. The star of the day in Switzerland is without doubt the lovely Chirstina Liebherr, who was faultless over the two rounds with No Mercy. Fabio Crotta and Madame Pompadour M had one fence down in the first round and scored another 8 points in the second round. Steve Guerdat and Isovlas Pialotta scored 4 penalties in both rounds.

The Netherlands missed the silver by less than one point and had to settle for bronze, with a total of 35.42 points. The Dutch team led by Rob Ehrens was second at the end of the second round, but could not keep its position despite the zero score of Jeroen Dubbeldam/BMC Nassau and Gerco Schroeder/Eurocommerce Monaco in the second round.

Andrea Herholdt and Juan Carlos Garcia were the Italian riders to contribute the most to the 4th place of the “Squadra Azzura”.

Only the best 25 competitors will participate in the Individual Final to be held on Sunday. Each rider keeps the penalties accumulated during the previous days. The riders will start in reverse order of the individual classification.