German eventers were unbeatable on home turf in Aachen – securing victory in the FEI Nations Cup along with the top three inividual placings in the CICO3* competition.
Flying start
The host nation started as they meant to go on in the dressage phase of the CICO3* in Aachen on Thursday (August 13).
Ingrid Klimke put in a foot-perfect performance to take the individual lead on 78.59% with FRH Escada JS, and a posted a stong result of 75.32% with her team ride Horseware Hale Bob.
And team mate Sandra Auffarth was not far behind Klimke – scoring 77.89% with Opgun Louvo.
Meanwhile Holly Woodhead got the Brits off to a flying start securing a mark of 77.12% with DHI Lupsion, while solid scores from Gemma Tattersall, Francis Whittington and Flora Harris kept the team in contention.
In the running
Ingrid Klimke kept her foot to the floor in the showjumping – holding on to her individual lead and putting the German team in first place overnight.
Navigating a tough Frank Rothenberger course in sweltering 32 degree temperatures, many teams buckled under the pressure and racked up penalties.
But the 47-year-old managed to leave all the rails up when she jumped not one, but two clear rounds with her team ride Horseware Hale Bob and individual contender FRH Escada JS.
Following strong performances from team mate Auffarth, who also jumped clear, and Michael Jung who picked up four faults with Halunke FBW, the German riders were in a strong position going into the cross-country phase.
Clear rounds across the board secured second place overnight for the Kiwis, and the Brits kept themselves in the running after young rider Holly Woodhead jumped a fantastic clear with DHI Lupison. This left the team in third and Holly in individual second position going ahead of the cross-country.
Coffin trouble
The Germans continued their domination of the event in the cross-country phase with four native riders jumping clear inside the optimum time out of only five who managed it.
The tight time and a tricky brush combination before the coffin at fence 16 proved the biggest tests of the day as horses glanced off the angled second element.
The challenge caught out a number of top riders, including New Zealand’s Jock Paget, who parted company with Clifton Lush after a run-out, and Brit Holly Woodhead who picked up 20 penalties at the obstacle.
But Klimke made it look easy – sailing through with both her rides.
“It was just the narrow jumps on the angle that came up really quickly made it a real test,” said Klimke. “My perfect horse [Escada] knows exactly her job. She was jumping so bold and so full of herself – it was just pure fun to ride her.”
Shock elimination
Klimke’s performance secured her both first and second place, and helped the German team on their route to victory.
The Kiwis gave them a run for their money, but with only one rider home inside the time they had to settle for second place. Watch our interview above to find out more on the Kiwi’s performance.
Great Britain was in line to finish third – but a late decision from the ground jury ruled that Holly Woodhead had been outside of the flags at the water and she was eliminated.
Because the team already had a drop score from Flora Harris – who retired Bayano – the whole team was eliminated and the Americans moved up to third.
Show director Frank Kemperman said: “After the competition the judges looked at the images because there was a question about one of the British riders. After the judges saw the footage one British rider was eliminated and the British team was eliminated.”