Brits triumph finally after a decade's wait

Laura Collett and Emilie Chandler lead our eventers to victory, while Lottie Fry stars for the British dressage team and Daniel Deusser nets a grand prix win

- PIPPA ROOME, ANDREA OAKES and SUZANNE JONES

CHIO Aachen, Germany

BRITAIN topped the eventing team competition at Aachen, the SAP-Cup, for the first time in 10 years, finishing just 0.3 of a penalty ahead of the US.

Laura Collett and Emilie Chandler led the charge. Laura finished second on individual ride Dacapo and fourth on team mount Mr Bass, while Emilie claimed third.

“People say Aachen is amazing and you build it up in your head – but it really was,” said Emilie. “Gortfadda Diamond put his best foot forward all week.”

Fifth after dressage on 28.7, Emilie and Maria Doel’s 12-year old added just a handful of time penalties in the jumping phases, while Dacapo rose from seventh to take the runner-up spot for Diana Chappell, Gillian Morris-Adams, Alison and Michael Smedley and Carolyn Taylor.

“It’s nice for him and his owners that he has his moment in the spotlight. He’s always been in the shadow of London 52,” said Laura, referring to her Olympic team gold medallist.

Laura said Rüdiger Schwarz’s cross-country course was slightly softer than normal.

“A couple of the combinations were a bit kinder, but it still had the intensity and if you really take the risks to get the time, you get caught out,” she said. “It suited Dacapo because he’s not the biggest galloper, but he’s nippy and polite.”