Germany claimed team gold on home soil at the FEI Jumping World Championship in Aachen on Friday night after a commanding performance in Round 2 of the Second Competition.
Finishing on 4.48 penalties, Germany secured the World title ahead of Belgium, who took silver on 11.69, with Great Britain completing the podium in bronze on 12.98.
The German quartet of Marcus Ehning (Coolio 42), Sophie Hinners (Iron Dames Singclair), Daniel Deusser (Otello de Guldenboom) and Richard Vogel (United Touch S) did not lower a single pole all evening.
The first qualification places for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games were also secured, with the seven highest-ranked eligible nations earning their tickets. With the United States already qualified as host nation, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland and France booked their places.
Friday’s scores will also count towards the Individual Final, with the 25 best-placed athletes returning in reverse order on Sunday to contest the last medals on offer at the FEI Jumping World Championship.
Australians in action
Tom McDermott and Australian-bred Oaks Ventriloquist (Vivant x Rex Z) added just one rail and a time fault to their clear scorecard from Round 1 of the Second Competition, finishing on a total of 5 for 31st place. Combined with their 5.30 penalties from the First Competition, the dup wrapped up their Championship to finish an impressive 36th overall from an initial field of 145 competitors.
Edwina Tops-Alexander and Fellow Castlefield (Je T’aime Flamenco x Twister) had two rails down Friday evening, adding 8 faults to their clear performance from Round 1 to finish on a total of 8 for 33rd place. Adding to the combination’s 2.80 from the First Competition, they finished on a total of 10.80 penalties to place 41st overall.
While neither Australian will progress to the individual final of 25, both produced impressive performances on the sport’s biggest stage amongst the world’s best.
Double clear for Aussie Young Riders
In the STAWAG-Prize (Jumping Competition for Young Riders), Australia’s Charlie Magnier placed an impressive sixth riding Notre Dame de Bourguignon (Vigo D Arsouilles x Quorum de Laubry). The duo jumped clear and stopped the clock at 67.74 seconds.
Fellow Aussie Jack Barker also produced an impressive clear round aboard Oaks Cryptic 971.91 seconds) to place 19th in the 39-combination field.
Congratulations to both rides on outstanding performances!
Watch the action from the FEI World Championships here via ClipMyHorse.TV.
