FEI World Vaulting Championships & FEI European Vaulting Championships for Juniors: 30 July – 3 August, Brno (CZE) - INDIVIDUAL FEMALE FINAL

Nicola Stroh reclaims the world title

Having lost the title in 2006 to American Vaulter Megan Benjamin during the FEI World Equestrian Games, Nicola Stroh and lunger Jennifer Trampler have been invincible since day 1 of the Championships. They began and effectively conquered Round 1, leading in both the compulsory and free test and then, when it came to Round 2 and the original 45 participants had been reduced to 15, they took the lead again in the technical test this morning and confirmed their golden ambition with a faultless free test. Having won individual gold in 2004 in Stadl Paura and silver in 2002, she spent some time out of competition due to a recurring knee injury.  

Waiting in the aisles and ready to pounce, Austria’s Sissi Jarz inhabited 2^nd place from day 1 of the Championships but never got or took the opportunity to take 1^st place. Third place, however, has been hotly disputed. At the close of Round 1 it appeared as though Christine Kristofics Binder was looking like a possible contender. However, Austria’s Katharina Faltin stepped in with a convincing technical test this morning and was sitting in third, but it took the free test to place the shine on the new bronze medallist, Germany’s Anja Barwig and longeur Alexander Hartl.

Results (top ten)
Rider – NF – Longeur – Horse - Score
1.       Nicola Stroh – GER - Jennifer Trampler – Lanson 16 – 8.485
2.       Sissi Jarz – AUT – LLonka Homberg – Pitucelli - 8.392
3.       Anja Barwig – GER – Alexander Hartl  - Magic Dream – 8.243
4.       Marion Graf – SUI – Rebekka Egger – Pit – 8.206
5.       Joanne Eccles – GBR – John Eccles – WH Bentley - 8.173
6.       Katharina Faltin – AUT - LLonka Homberg – Pitucelli – 8.146
7.       Christine Kristofics Binder – AUT – Maria Lehrmann – Alonso I – 8.135
8.       Elizabeth Osborn – USA – Marion Schultz – Pikkolo 19 – 7.892
9.       Mary McCormick – USA – Marion Schultz – Pikkolo 19 – 7.875
10.   Regina Burgmayr – GER – Alexander Hartl – Cappucino - 7.892