Two showjumping clear rounds for Britain’s eventers secured the team silver medal behind Germany – but just 0.1pen kept the home nation out of the individual medals.
Too good
The Germans were simply superb in the final day of competition, with all four team riders and both individuals delivering perfect clear rounds. In the end, they finished more than 50pen ahead of Great Britain having dominated from the start. The Germans have won every senior championship team gold since 2011.
“It’s wonderful to achieve – but on the other hand, we know we have to work hard to stay here. We know the other nations are wanting and wishing to be here and to stay at the top isn’t easy,” said Ingrid Klimke.
It was the first time the British team has ever been beaten at a championships held in home soil. But down to three riders, and with the French team breathing down their necks, the Brits did well to hold their silver medal position.
Near miss
The British team had a slightly nervous moment early on when Nicola Wilson nearly fell off One Two Many, which would have eliminated the team. The pair landed in the middle of the oxer at fence 7, and Nicola did well to stay in the saddle.
“Going through my head was ‘There’s only three of us, do not fall off’,” she said afterwards. “He finished the rest of the course really nicely though.”
A superb clear for Pippa Funnell and Sandman 7 boosted British hopes, while a faultless round from Kitty King and the impressive Persimmon sealed the deal for silver.
So close
Kitty’s clear left her tantalisingly close to the medals. When her compatriot Izzy Taylor (in third individually after cross-country) had one fence down, it moved Kitty up a place to fourth.
If either Thibaut Vallette or Sandra Auffarth had knocked one fence down Kitty would have made it into the medals – but in the end, both jumped clear, leaving Kitty just 0.1pen in arrears of Thibaut.
France’s team bronze has also given them Olympic qualification. “For me it’s a double victory – to be here, and to secure qualification for the team,” said the Frenchman, who claimed the bronze.
Superb
Michael Jung had two fences in hand as he rode into the arena but in the end he didn’t need either of them. The eventing superstar – who has also competed at Grand Prix level in both showjumping and dressage – steered the eight-year-old fischerTakinou round with ease to secure his, and Germany’s, third successive European gold medal.
He hinted that this is the horse he now has in mind for Rio 2016. “Now I can say I have a new champion for the future. He is a young horse but has the quality for the next big championships,” said Michael.
Her Majesty The Queen was there to present the prizes at the final medal ceremony, which drew a close to a Championships where Germany was just in a league of their own throughout.
It has been the first time a senior Championships has been held in Scotland, and the organisers were pleased with how it went. “I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved,” said event director Alec Lochore. “There’s been a few challenges including the rain yesterday, but the best team won having made easy work of a bit of ‘Scotch mist’.”