Dutch showjumpers proved they are a force to be reckoned today in Aachen (August 21)as they scooped European gold, forcing host nation Germany to settle for silver.
Incredible record
This win tops off an incredible run of form for the Netherlands, whose showjumpers were victorious in last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games while their dressage squad won team gold here last week.
The four-strong team of Jeroen Dubbeldam, Jur Vrieling, Gerco Schröder and Maikel van der Vleuten have been consistently accurate across three tense rounds of showjumping.
The riders were in second position ahead today’s final, but clear rounds from world champion Dubbeldam and Van der Vleuten. plus just one time fault from Vrieling put the team at the top of the podium with a score of 8.820 penalties.
Germany had to make do with silver on home turf with a score of 12.40 penalties, followed by the Swiss team, who claimed bronze with 18.23.
Magic formula
Team chef d’equipe Rob Ehrens claimed there was no magic formula to the country’s success, but said he was spoilt for choice when selecting his team.
“It is a pleasure for me to work with amazing riders, amazing horses and amazing owners,” he added. “It makes life easy for me. We already have another few riders banging on the door at home. I am a very happy coach.”
Team inspiration
The tough Frank Rothenberger-designed course challenged even the world’s best horses and riders. Poles fell all across the board and none of the remaining individual riders managed to jump clear.
But Dubbeldam, first to go for the Dutch, set the tone for the day when he jumped an impressive clear with SFN Zenith N.O.P.
“All four riders are important and all four are in a difficult place because every round has its pressure with it,” explained the rider. “But of course it is very important to start with a good round, it gives others the spirit and the inspiration to keep going.
“It was a round with a lot of pressure but my horse gave me such an amazing feeling jumping here. He gave us a lot of confidence to start with a clear and gave the spirit to the rest of the team.”
Van der Vleuten followed suit with VDL Groep Verdi TN N.O.P., and Vrieling looked set for clear until he slipped just outside the time allowed with VDL Zirocco Blue N.O.P.
A costly pole
One time fault for the Dutch left the door open for the host nation to claim gold, providing that last-to-go Daniel Deusser jumped clear.
But when a pole fell for the German rider, victory was secured for the Dutch team.
The German’s confessed they were a disappointed not to win, but congratulated the Dutch for their impressive performance.
German team stalwart Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum said: “We had four good rounds and good results and it has gotten so close in our sport today.
“There are so many good horses and good riders it isn’t so easy to win gold. I think we should be really appreciative of silver.”