FEI European Reining Championships: 16-18 August, Mooslargue (FRA)

17 competitors from seven nations started in the individual competition of the third FEI European Reining Championship on Saturday night. Having won team gold medal, the German riders were obviously eager for more. But little could stop the Italian determination which has been prominent throughout this Championship... Not to mention that other counrties were also eyeing up the coveted title.

Doug Allen from Great Britain set the pace astride Jacs Little Sunrise where he scored 219, which was later topped by Francesca Sternberg astride Yelena My Way. The two showed a fantastic pattern 6 with smooth, fast circles, great spins and stops scoring a 221.5. None of the following riders could reach this score – until Grischa Ludwig and Olenas Diablo Star. The two topped their result of 218 in the team competition and left the arena with a 221.5 as well. This result was immediately topped by Gennaro Lendi (ITA) astride Mifillenium who scored a 222.5.

Enter Davide Brighenti (ITA) and OT Taris San Peppy into the arena. Full risk, fast circles and beautiful spins and stops gave them 226 points, the highest score of the competition and thus the top spot on the podium. OT Taris San Peppy is an American Quarter Horse stallion by Taris Valentine that already won the individual silver medal at the 2005 European Championship – then under Adreano Meacci. The horse is owned by Giuditta Foti, Italy. The audience cheered and was now eager to see the last competitor Nico Hoermann and Big Time Rooster, who had scored a 227 in the team competition. Ralf Gembe’s stallion by Gallo Del Cielo is known to be a very consistent and dependable mount, and again he gave his best in this final, but could not quite reach their superb performance of Thursday. So Davide Brighenti, Italy won gold, Nico Hoermann silver. Gennaro Lendi and Mifillenium placed third winning the bronze medal.

Results of the individual championship:

Draw - Backno - Rider - Horse - Nation - Score
1 - 33 - Davide Brighenti - OT Taris San Peppy - ITA - 226
2 - 16 - Nico Hörmann - Big Time Rooster - GER - 225.5
3 - 35 - Gennaro Lendi - Mifillenium - ITA - 222.5
4 - 20 - Francesca Sternberg - Yelena My Way - GBR - 221.5
4 - 17 - Grischa Ludwig - Olenas Diablo Star - GER - 221.5
6 - 19 - Doug Allen - Jacs Little Sunrise - GBR - 219
7 - 15 - Emanuel Ernst - Legends Diamond Doc - GER - 218.5
8 - 34 - Martin Gamper - RS Great Jac Feona - ITA - 217.5
9 - 46 - Daniel Straumann - Gallo Pequeno - SUI - 215.5
10 - 37 - Adriano Meacci - Docs Tivio Hancock - ITA - 214.5
10 - 38 - Rieky Young-van Osch - Stop It - NED - 214.5
12 - 40 - Hubertus Heule - Shining Fox - NED - 212
13 - 43 - Thierry Hebert - MR Royaly Freckles - SUI - 210.5
14 - 44 - Alex Kubli - Jokers Freckle King - SUI - 209.5
14 - 21 - Tammy Greaves - The Magic of Whiz - GBR - 209.5
-- - 2 - Klara Salkova - Smart Chiconita - CZE - 0
-- - 42 - Anders Josefsson - Silver N Hickory - SWE - NS