German showjumpers got off to a flying start in front of their home crowd at Aachen today (August 19) as they stole an early lead in the FEI European Championships.
Strong start
The host nation won an overnight lead in the first of three showjumping rounds to decide who will bring home a coveted European medal for their country.
The four-strong team of Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Ludger Beerbaum, Christian Ahlmann and Daniel Deusser were a force to be reckoned with in the 1.50m speed class.
The quartet only picked up four faults between them and the riders were consistently speedy to put them on an initial score of 4.4 penalties, followed by France with 5.7pen and Great Britain with 6.99pen.
Today’s results will be carried forward and will count for the final team total on Friday.
Showjumping legend Ludger Beerbaum, who also came second individually, said: “Knowing that we have only done a third of the competition and there’s two rounds left I think nobody really went completely flat out.
“I am happy with my performance and especially with my team. We have all done four really good rounds.”
A win for Penelope
Individually, however, it was a French victory for Penelope Leprevost who showed all her talent against the clock to take the top spot with Flora de Mariposa.
Despite being drawn only seventh to go out of 94 riders, no-one could match the 35-year-old’s time.
The For Pleasure mare has only been to three competitions since she returned from injury this year, but the 10-year-old looked on top form in Aachen’s formidable main stadium.
The Frenchwoman said her ride felt great in the ring – which can make even the boldest horses shrink – and the Frank Rothenberger course suited the mare who is naturally quick across the ground.
A great day for Clee
Great Britain also started a strong showjumping campaign in their final bid to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio next year – lying in team third overnight.
Joe Clee took home individual third with his ride Utamora D’Ecaussines who competed in Aachen for the first time today.
“It’s fantastic to be here, it’s an amazing show and a beautiful arena,” said the rider, who also represented Great Britain in the World Equestrian Games in Normandy last year.
“When I went in I was feeling a little bit of pressure, I knew we needed to do well. But the more pressure I put on the horse the better he jumps. After fence four I relaxed a bit and he jumped a great round.
“I think he is only going to get better during the week.”
Tomorrow (August 20) round two will whittle down the competitors to the top ten teams and top 50 individual riders who progress to the final round on Friday.