World Showjumping Championships: riders' reaction to the course

Marcus Ehning, who is out of the European Showjumping Championships in Milan, Italy — Marcus Ehning and Stargold, who are out of the European Showjumping Championships in Milan, Italy.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The 14-fence 1.55m track for day one of the Agria FEI World Showjumping Championships has received plenty of positive feedback from the riders, with mistakes coming all over the course set by Louis Konickx.

At the start of the day, the water jump was just in the shade of the grandstand and caused a few problems, while a triple bar-vertical double at fence 12 has also caught out a few horse-and-rider combinations.

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Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.

‘Difficult but fair’: riders’ reactions to the 1.55m course at the World Showjumping Championships

At the halfway stage, just two combinations in this opening speed class had failed to complete the test. Nicola Philippaerts of Belgium remains the long-time leader, clear in 81.02sec riding Katanga VH Dingeshof.

Simon also said that 1.55m, rather than 1.50m, was the right level for day one of a World Showjumping Championships.

“I think it’s one of the best I’ve ridden in a championship,” he said. “I think 1.55m is better for this kind of level because you have the best horses and the best riders.”

“Stargold felt amazing the whole round to where I had to the triple bar – I was a bit far off and didn’t push enough,” he reflected. “It was really a shame because my time was, I think, quite good. But, first of all, he jumped great and it’s quite hopeful for the next days.

“It’s quite a long track and there are 17 jumps so it will take something out of the horses. It’s a lot of jumping, but it’s quite a fair course – you can take many options to go short or long. I think [Louis Konickx] did a very good job.”

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