Brits finish second in Aachen

Australian rider Christopher Burton won the CIC*** in Aachen, Germany, from current world and European champions Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW.

Riding Underdiscussion, Christopher – who makes his Olympic debut later this month – added just one showjumping time-fault to his 37.8 dressage score to win.

“It is thrilling to win here – everything went brilliantly for me today,” said Christopher.

He was one of eight riders to make the cross-country time.

Michael Jung didn’t push Sam, who will be his ride at Greenwich, and ended up with 1.6 time-faults.

Britain’s Laura Collett was unfortunate enough to lose her rein in the middle of a combination towards the end of the course and have to take a long route. The subsequent 4.4 time-faults were enough to drop her from first place, which she had held through dressage and showjumping, to third.

Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo were fourth, again not hassling for the cross-country time. Sandra and Michael are secure in their selection for the German team in London; the other three members will be announced this evening.

Andrew Nicholson enjoyed a perfect final pre-Olympic run on Nereo in fifth, finishing on his 43.6 dressage mark, and William Fox-Pitt was sixth on Neuf Des Coeurs.

All four British riders were clear across country. Francis Whittington finished 12th overall, and Emily Baldwin 17th.

The British team were second behind Germany in the Nations Cup competition, with Sweden third and New Zealand fourth.

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