European Eventing: Klimke rides a clincher, but King and Collett sparkle
Germany’s Ingrid Klimke showed the youngsters how it should be done by storming four points clear of her nearest rival on the second morning of dressage at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships at Luhmuhlen.
Ingrid, who earlier this year had 12 weeks off with an injured knee, scored 30pen with her stalwart FRH Butts Abraxxas. “My trainer said I should get 29,” she laughed. “I didn’t quite manage it!” She is the only rider so far to record straight 10s for a movement – her halt and rein back.
The scoreboard does not reveal a complete German whitewash though, with three Brits now in the top eight.
Laura Collett, riding in her first senior championship, rode a stunning and accurate test on the handsome Rayef and sits equal third on 35.4pen.
“There’s not much atmosphere here until you get in that arena,” said Laura (pictured). “But he’s getting so much better in big arenas. He’s becoming a real performer.”
They are Britain’s only individual competitors following the withdrawal this morning of Polly Stockton’s Regulus. He did not feel quite 100% sound when exercised this morning.
Lying second is former German team stalwart Frank Ostholt, riding this time as an individual since his horse, Little Paint, has returned from a long layoff. He began and ended his test with a 10 (and an air punch)
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“I don’t think I have scored 10s before – it’s nice to do it at a European Championship,” he said. “But it’s not a dressage competition.”
Mary King tactfully contained Imperial Cavalier who appeared extremely lit up as her first entered the arena, scoring 38.8pen to lie 7th individually at this stage. Even with William Fox-Pitt still to go later today, it seems certain the Germans will begin cross country tomorrow with a commanding lead.
Top team positions so far:
- Germany (109.2pen)
- Great Britain (131.9pen)
- Sweden (138.1pen)
Individual positions so far:
- 1) Ingrid Klimke (GER), FRH Butts Abraxxas, 30pen
- 2) Frank Ostholt (GER), Little Paint, 34pen
- 3=) Sandra Auffarth (FER), Opgun Louvo, 35.4pen
- 3=) Laura Collett (GBR), Rayef, 35.4pen
- 5) Sara Olgotsson-Ostholt (SWE), Wega, 36pen
- 6) Dirk Schrade (GER), King Artus, 36.7pen
- 7) Mary King (GBR), Imperial Cavalier, 38.8pen
- 8)= Piggy French (GBR), Jakata, 40.4pen
- 8=) Julia Mestern (GER), FRH Schorsch, 40.4pen
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