Klimke Leads German Charge

Germany confi rm their dominance ahead of the Europeans, while there are highlights for Britain in a somewhat disappointing fifth-place team finish

- Hannah Lemieux

THEY conceded their Nations Cup CICO3* crown to Australia in Aachen last year, but 12 months on, Germany returned to stamp their authority on home turf, showing they are a force to be reckoned with ahead of the European Championships next month.

In front of an enthusiastic German crowd, Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob OLD secured the individual honours, finishing on their 34.5 dressage mark.

Second behind teammate Sandra Auffarth after the dressage, Ingrid jumped a double clear — 13 seconds inside the time across country — propelling her to the top of the leader board.

“The horses had to be very focused around the cross-country, as there were plenty of questions, but the fences were encouraging and it was definitely a good warm-up ahead of Strzegom [the Europeans],” said Ingrid. “I tried to slow ‘Bobby’ down before the fences so he didn’t get too fast at them, but he had plenty of energy and it is good for me to know he is so fit.”

When dressage leader Sandra and Opgun Louvo tapped the middle element of the problematic treble in the showjumping, it dropped them down the placings and she finished fourth. Michael Jung’s double clear with La Biosthetique-Sam FBW boosted them into the runner-up spot, with young German rider Josefa Sommer finishing 13th.

For the riders with the Europeans on their horizons, it was a good opportunity to “test drive” a cross-country course devised by the championships’ course-designer Rüdiger Schwarz.