Status: 03.09.2021 6:00 p.m.
After the debacle at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the German show jumpers can celebrate a medal at the European Championships in their own country. Additional precious metals are possible in the individual on Sunday.
The German show jumpers waved to the celebrating fans with their silver medals around their necks. The first anger about missing gold at the home European championships quickly disappeared, the joy about second place soon developed and led to smiling faces.
“The disappointment still prevails,” said national coach Otto Becker in his first reaction. “We were very, very close.” When his riders were cheered by around 3,000 spectators, Becker was smiling again.
It was also a relief for the coach. Also in view of the debacle at the Olympic Games in Tokyo with the penultimate place in the final, the joy later outweighed. The team, which started with three newcomers to the European Championship and veteran Marcus Ehning, was after a total of three rounds on three days with 12.77 penalty points, just behind Switzerland (9.47) and ahead of Belgium (17.34).
Throwing off final rider Will
Had it not been for the final rider David Will, it would have been enough for gold. “It’s annoying because it was a clear rider’s mistake,” commented the EM debutant. Team colleague Christian Kukuk was also torn. “We can certainly be more than proud and satisfied after one night,” he said and immediately followed suit: “Of course it was also a bit annoying.”
The best local rider before the individual final on Sunday is André Thieme from Plau am See, who is second with Chakaria (2.84). The first is defending champion Martin Fuchs from Switzerland with Leone Jei (1.31). Christian Kukuk from Riesenbeck with Mumbai is in eighth place (5.93) and still has another chance for a medal.
Starting rider Thieme tore a fist in the air after his famous round. The 46-year-old from Plau am See remained flawless with his Chakaria like the day before and thus ensured a good starting position. “I’ve already kissed Chakaria,” Thieme said shortly afterwards. “There was extra pressure there,” admitted the rider, who had shown a disappointing performance at the Tokyo Games and in the days of Riesenbeck proved that he and his mare can be a world class couple. “I wanted to show here that my horse is right to be there,” he said, explaining his motivation for the European Championship in his own country. He was “already tremendously relieved”, said the first rider of the host team, who is now also a medal candidate in the individual.
Ehning under pressure
Marcus Ehning was under even more pressure than Thieme. Because in the first two special stages on Wednesday and Thursday, the 47-year-old from Borken with Stargold was the deleted result. But in the last round of the team competition, the veteran showed his class, steering the sometimes wild stallion through the course without being released. “He’s better bucking than punching down the bars,” said Ehning later with a grin. “Today was the way I know him,” said the team’s most experienced rider. “It was important that I got the horse calm”, explained Ehning: “Today I am satisfied with him from the first to the last jump.” He is “very proud” after the performance of the previous days that he did not make any mistakes.
Christian Kukuk received a drop as the third starter of the host team. Nevertheless, after the ride of the 31-year-old from Riesenbeck with Mumbai, it was already certain that his team would win a medal. “It’s a bit of relief and a little bit of disappointment because I made a mistake that was on my head,” comments the rider, who has been working for European Championship host Ludger Beerbaum in Riesenbeck for around ten years. “But I’m definitely happy with the medal,” said Kukuk.
“Was a bit more in it”
When David Will rode in, silver was safe. But the 33-year-old from Dagobertshausen in Hesse naturally wanted to put pressure on Switzerland, which was only just ahead of the hosts. With his 13-year-old gelding C Vier, Will received a drop. “It could have been a little more,” commented the rider.
In the end, the Germans had to wait for Steve Guerdat and hope for two mistakes by the Swiss in order to win gold. But the Olympic champion from London rode Maddox with four penalty points to gold with his team.
Source: sportschau.de