Germany wins grade II Paralympic gold medal in Hong Kong

Britte Naepel secured gold for Germany in the grade II individual at the Paralympic Games at Sha Tin racecourse riding the 8-year-old Cherubin 15. Second to go, they went into the lead with a score of 71.909% and were the only combination to top the 70% barrier.

Canada’s Lauren Barwick riding the Isjelmeer I gelding Maile finished closest with 68.454 for silver. The bronze went to Denmark’s Caroline Nielsen, one of the youngest Paralympians competing at 18, riding Rostorn’s Hatim-T. British representative Felicity Coulthard finished out of the medals in 6th with a slightly unsettled Roffelaar.

The evening session under the floodlights, saw the grade IV individual decided. Reigning Paralympic champion Ann Cathrin Lubbe was out to retain her title with her striking spotted stallion Zanko. However, as in the team test the previous day, she was beaten into silver medal position by Philippa Johnson riding Benedict for South Africa. Philippa has had the horse for 5 years now and won a silver medal at the Athens 2004 Games. With an extra 4 years under the combination’s belt they produced a harmonious performance that had the crowd cheering.

Team wise, with none of the Brits due to ride until tomorrow’s individuals, nothing is yet decided. Currently it looks like our biggest threat will come from the Norwegians after only one of the three Germans scored into the seventies.

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