FEI European Vaulting Championships: Kaposvar (HUN), 6-12 August

Great sport and great excitement concluded the 2007 FEI European Vaulting Championships. Indeed, what we have seen in Kaposvar over the past few days has been the genuine yearning to reach new heights, to evolve on every level and to take the sport to its pinnacle. And this afternoon, as the individual male and female champions were crowned, this phenomenon was echoed in every performance and to the very last beat.

Following the senior team final (see press news Champions in our midst), the individual free tests were unleashed with the individual male final being played out first.

The thought that current title holder and world champion Kai Vorberg (GER) may have been under pressure by the Czech vaulter Petr Eim after yesterday’s technical test was completely dispelled today when he entered the arena and performed a magnificent free test with longeur Kirsten Graf and horse Picasso and thus confirmed his strong hold on the European and World title. The public roared but there was nothing to be done as Petr Eim, who had been in the lead following yesterday’s technical test, appeared a little dishevelled as Apollo 306 was out of sorts and despite the efforts of longeur Christiane Brinkmann the unit which up until now had been so brilliant lost its shine for just a brief moment, relegating Petr to 6th place.

With a very convincing and impressive free test, Nicolas Andreani from France with longeur Marina Dupon Joosten and Idefix de Braize, seized the opportunity and went from 4th (following the first round) to second just in time to nab silver! In third place, was Switzerland’s Patric Looser with longeur Kirsten Graf and horse Record, and a well-rendered Pinocchio theme ensuring his spot on the podium. It is interesting to note that Longeur Kirsten Graf is now the proud recipient of both gold and bronze at the Individual Male European Championship.

For the women, suspense also kept the spectators on the edge of their seats as Sissi Jarz from Austria with longeur Dorianne Picavet and horse Pitucelli relegated her compatriot Katharina Faltin, silver medallist at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, back to second place and claimed gold with a devilish performance. Nonetheless, Katharina’s steady performance throughout the Championship ensured silver with longeur Elke Schelp-Lensing and terrific mount Belmondo. While Germany’s Nicola Ströh, 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games bronze medallist, with longeur Jennifer Trampler and Lanson 16 took bronze with a very physical performance. Interestingly, these are the first European Individual gold and silver for Austria since the Championships began in 1984. A great performance by Joanne Eccles from Great Britain placed her fourth, only just missing out on a medal which would have been the first for Great Britain ever!

It has been a great week of sport, innumerable highlights and memories with many nations taking that step onto the podium! A very big hand to all those that have made this possible and especially to the very dedicated support staff which make up these wonderful teams.

Individual European Vaulting Final (Male)
1. Kai Vorberg (AUT) – Kirsten Graf – Picasso
2. Nicolas Andreani (FRA) – Marina Dupon Joosten – Idefix de Braize
3. Patric Looser (SUI) – Kirsten Graf – Record
4. Gero Meyer (GER) – Susanne Wahl – Zeit für Robinson
5. Dennis Peiler (GER) – Jennifer Peiler – Massimo 33
6. Petr Eim (CZE) – Christiane Brinkmann – Apollo 306
7. Adriàn Tóth (SVK) – Jana Majdlenova – Flash
8. Stefan Csandl (AUT) – Christiane Brinkmann – Apollo 306
9. Miroslav Kromka (SVK) – Jàn Tribula – Celtic Z
10. Dimitri Suhner (SUI) – Petra Stucki – Dyrakel Dix

Individual European Vaulting Final (Female)
1. Sissi Jarz (AUT) – Dorianne Picavet – Pitucelli
2. Katharina Faltin (AUT) – Elke Schelp-Lensing – Belmondo
3. Nicola Ströh (GER) – Jennifer Trampler – Lanson 16
4. Joanne Eccles (GBR) – John Eccles – WH Bentley
5. Ines Jückstock (GER) – Ruth Jückstock – Dallmer’s little foot
6. Melanie Guillebeau (SUI) – Monika Bischofberger – Figaro IV
7. Christa Kristofics-Binder (AUT) – Fritz Schandl – Alonso
8. Marion Graf (SUI) - Monika Bischofberger – Figaro IV
9. Anne Sophie Musset Agnus (FRA) – Daniele Agnus – Kirch de la Love
10. Anna Cavallaro (ITA) – Nelson Vidoni - Adenauer