Christoph Wahler is the second reserve, with Carjatan S, and Anna Siemer (FRH Butts Avondale) is the third reserve.
The three riders named for the Olympic eventing team were the top five in the CCI4*-S Meẞmer Trophy at Luhmühlen; Michael won (and was fifth in the CCI5* on FischerWild Wave), Sandra second and Julia fifth. Andreas finished seventh and Anna 12th, while Christoph was second in the CCI5*.
Michael, who will defend his individual title in Tokyo after golds at London and Rio, said: “I am overjoyed, FischerChipmunk jumped so well today. When you compete here, of course you want stay clear. Nevertheless, it’s important to relax so that the horse can stay relaxed, too. The title means a lot to me.”
Michael added the extra time due to the Olympic postponement may have worked in his favour as he and Chipmunk only became a partnership in 2019. The horse was previously ridden by Michael’s team-mate Julia.
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“For my horse and me, it was probably even a bit lucky that the Olympics were postponed,” he said. “It gave us an extra year to grow together as a team.”
It was a particularly emotional moment for Julia, who was almost certain of an Olympic place with Samourai Du Thot until she had to retire him earlier this year when he lost an eye. “Mandy” was very much an outside chance for the team until the pair won the CCI4*-L at Saumur. They dropped from second after cross-country to fifth with a rail down today.
“For the first 10 minutes after the jumping I was still a little upset about our mistake, especially because my horse jumped so well and it was an unnecessary rail,” she said. “But then during the prize giving I realised what Mandy and I have achieved together. That’s when it really hit me.”
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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.
