Yesterday the Union Flags were flying high at Blair Castle, but today at the FEI European Eventing Championships things have taken on more of a black, red and gold hue.
German dominance
The Brits have dropped down from the gold medal positions in both the team and individual competitions, while Germany have taken up the top spots in their place.
Reigning World Champion Sandra Auffarth now holds a narrow lead from Britain’s Holly Woodhead. The German rider produced a polished test with Opgun Luovo to score 31.4pen, just 0.3pen ahead of Holly.
“I’m very pleased with my horse – he was perfect, relaxed and had lots of expression, so it was nice to ride,” said Sandra.
Team top
With Sandra leading and her team mates Michael Jung (fischerTanikou) in third and Ingrid Klimke (Horseware Hale Bob) in eighth, Germany has taken a decent lead in the team competition with 102.7pen.
Dirk Schrade is currently their discount score, with his horse Hop And Skip sitting in 24th place after dressage.
Brits are still in silver medal position on 112.50pen, with Nicola Wilson and Kitty King in fourth and sixth place respectively.
Things didn’t get off to a perfect start for the remaining two British team members. Pippa Funnell scored 41pen to sit 19th with Sandman 7, but William Fox-Pitt – who is usually well in contention after the dressage phase – scored 43pen to sit in 23rd place. He is currently the team’s discount score.
France is breathing down Team GB’s necks with 115.20pen, and Sweden sit fourth with 119.40pen.
Individuals
After a superb day yesterday for the British individual riders, two further Brits produced sub-40 scores to sit at the top end of the leaderboard.
Francis Whittington’s Easy Target has become increasingly strong in this first phase, and today he scored 37.50pen to go into seventh.
Oliver Townend was 12th with Fenyas Elegance having scored 38.70pen.
Cross-country
Tomorrow the riders face Ian Stark’s cross-country course. With plenty of hills, drops, climbs and questions – and rain forecast – it’s bound to cause some upset to the current standings.
But current leader Sandra Auffarth is feeling positive ahead of the next phase. “I think it’s a good cross-country horse so I’m really looking forward to it,” she said.
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