Germany crowned showjumping world champions on home soil before their final rider even jumps
Daniel Deusser secured German gold without Richard Vogel needing to jump, as Belgium’s clear final round sealed silver and the US slid off the podium
Germany secured gold in the showjumping World Championships team results this evening by a comfortable margin.
Daniel Deusser was the third rider in for the home side and had the opportunity to confirm their win if he went clear on Otello De Guldenboom. He duly delivered, giving Germany victory without needing anchorman Richard Vogel’s score.
Daniel said: “It’s not only tonight, this is a result of a long journey for this year, all looking forward to the World Championships here in Aachen. As Germans, it’s an unbelievable show – I can't describe it, it’s unique.”
Marcus Ehing led off for Germany with a clear on Coolio 42.
“My horse was amazing today – I didn’t stick to the numbers I want to do in the course between the jumps, but the way he’s listening is unbelievable and it’s incredible how he’s jumped the last three days,” he said.
He was followed by Sophie Hinners, who just had one time-fault on Iron Dames Singclair.
She said: “I think we enjoyed it a little bit too much in the arena. It was a little bit unnecessary to have a time-fault, but I’m incredibly proud of him.”
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Sophie’s time-fault didn’t affect the team result, though it will have pushed her down the individual standings. Likewise, her compatriot Richard Vogel ended up having two time-faults on United Touch S, which will not help his bid for an individual medal. He is now in 14th place.
Scott Brash’s four-fault round secured a medal for Britain, but it was uncertain whether it would be bronze or silver until final Belgian rider, Abdel Saïd had jumped. His clear on Wathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z gave Belgium silver and confirmed Britain’s bronze.
Abdel was backed up today by Pieter Devos, who had four faults on home-bred Casual DV Z, and Thibeau Spits, who went clear on Impress-K Van’t Kattenheye Z.
Showjumping World Championships team results: US slide to fourth
The US were the big losers in today’s showjumping World Championship team results, starting the day in provisional silver and ending up fourth.
Their lead-off rider Laura Kraut had fence 10b down with Baloutinue – this double of triple bar to upright plank was very influential.
She was followed by Katie Dinan, who had a tricky ride through the treble at fence 5abc and then pulled Out Of The Blue SCF out of the open water at fence six and put her hand up to retire.
Lillie Keenan clattered through fence one with Fasther and then had a further four faults at the upright over a water tray at fence 13.
Lillie said: “The first fault was very uncharacteristic with my horse. The middle of the course, all the really hard parts, we did pretty well. It's hard for me to tell you exactly why I had the Liverpool – I do think my horse is so in touch with me and he probably knew that I was a little bit like deflated.
“Today was a harder day for us to be honest, because when we went in the [grass] warm-up, there’s no lights. I was trying to keep the footing the same for my horse because I think that that’s fair, but he couldn't really see. So I had a refusal the first fence I went to, which obviously doesn't feel great.
“And then because we knew our score had to count for the team, I think I was maybe riding a little bit more defensive. And to jump clear rounds and win, you have to ride on the offensive and not the defensive.”
A clear from McLain Ward and High Star Hero was not enough to revive the US fortunes and bring them back into medal contention.
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.