German dressage team clinch gold
Germany has clinched team gold for the third consecutive World Equestrian Games, with scores of 72% to 76% from its riders.
The Netherlands finished in silver and America bronze.
Britain dropped three places from its overnight third to finish sixth — but all four riders will go through to Friday’s Special.
“I thought we would do well — yesterday we rode very well so today we could go in with more confidence,” said Heike Kemmer, who placed second individually overall, with 75.792%.
Anky, who scored 75%, said she had had a “really good word” with herself in the stables afterward, having made some “silly” mistakes in her test. At the transition at B the World Champion had struck off on the wrong canter, and missed a change — both times the judges scored her fives.
Isabell Werth on Satchmo for the winning German team. Picture Kit Houghton
While not in the medals, Britain put on a sterling performance to finish sixth, above France, Switzerland, Spain and Austria.
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Chef d’equipe of the British dressage team, David Trott, said he was extremely pleased with his team’s performance.
“We’re one of the most consistent nations, and they’re all through to the special,” he said after the medal ceremony.
Earlier in the day, Emma Hindle excelled on Lancet to score 70.458%.
“He was really good out there,” said Emma after her test. “My training from Richard [White] and Kyra [Kurklund] has been fantastic.”
But Sandy Phillips, although scoring 68.292%, was obviously struggling to relax Lara in the big main arena at Aachen, which has been blamed for creating tension in many horses.
“The mare didn’t work in well yesterday, but she should do better on Friday,” said David Trott. “It’s much more her test, it’s designed for her.”
The second and final day of the team dressage competition drew 32,00 spectators — and the sun finally came out for the riders. On Friday, the top 30 combinations from today will contest the grand prix special, starting with a clean slate.
1 GERMANY
Chef d’Equipe: Ferdi-Jörgen Wassermeyer
Total Score:223.625
WANSUELA SUERTE HUBERTUS SCHMIDT 69.208
BONAPARTE HEIKE KEMMER75.792
ELVIS VA NADINE CAPELLMANN 72.833
SATCHMO ISABELL WERTH 75.000
2 THE NETHERLANDS € 8.800,00
Chef d’Equipe: Sjef Janssen
Total Score:217.917
HEXAGON´S OLLRIGHT – LAURENS VAN LIEREN 68.500
SUNRISE IMKE SCHELLEKENS – BARTELS 71.542
KELTEC SALINERO – ANKY VAN GRUNSVEN 75.000
GROUP 4 SECURICOR – LINGH EDWARD GAL 71.375
3 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA € 6.000,00
Chef d’Equipe: Klaus Balkenhol
Total Score: 213.917
TIP TOP 962 – LESLIE MORSE *64.250
ARAGON – GUENTER SEIDEL 69.792
FLORIANO – STEFFEN PETERS 72.708
BRENTINA – DEBBIE MCDONALD 71.417
4 DENMARK € 4.800,00
Total Score: 208.874
AFRIKKA – ANDERS DAHL 66.458
DIGBY – NATHALIE ZU SAYN-WITTGENSTEIN 66.083
HARDTHOF´S LUDEWIG G – LONE JØRGENSEN *62.500
BLUE HORS MATINE – ANDREAS HELGSTRAND 76.333
5 SWEDEN € 4.000,00
Chef d’Equipe: Elisabet Lundholm
Total Score: 208.750
WILSON – KRISTIAN VON KRUSENSTIERNA *60.417
SOLOS CAREX – TINNE VILHELMSON 70.333
GUINNESS – LOUISE NATHORST 66.250
BJÖRSELLS BRIAR 899 -JAN BRINK 72.167
6 GREAT BRITAIN € 3.200,00
Chef d’Equipe: David Trott
Total Score: 206.292
DOUGLAS DORSEY – LAURA BECHTOLSHEIMER*67.375
LORENZO CH – WAYNE CHANNON 67.542
LANCET – EMMA HINDLE 70.458
LARA – SANDY PHILLIPS 68.292
Don’t miss this week’s Horse & Hound for in-depth reports on all the action in Aachen out on Thursday
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