Second Constitution: Eventing – All German Horses Compete

Six horses had been withdrawn; 63 were on the starting list for the fitness test. Germany was in the bottom third to go. Earlier, the jury—composed of Anne-Mette Binder (DEN), Peter Gray (CAN), and Joanne Jaden (IRL)—had already sent the Holsteiner mare Frieda, owned by Felix Vogg of Switzerland, to the holding box.

Then it was the German team’s turn. Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Quidditch went first—accepted. Next up were Michael Jung and Chipmunk—18 years young, in top shape, accepted. Then came the dressage winners, Julia Krajewski and Nickel—Holding Box. The dressage arena fell silent. Julia Krajewski led the Holsteiner gelding out.

Libussa Lübbeke presented Caramia—accepted. On the way back, Christoph Wahlers’ D’Accord cheerfully broke into a trot once more, moving so fresh and lively that it seemed as if he could sweep across the course a second time as the fastest horse of them all—accepted.

The jury then placed Kiarado d’Arville, ridden by Lara de Liedekerke-Meier of the Belgian team, in the holding area.

All three horses were cleared during the re-inspection.

The Course

The course

in the show jumping stadium features 13 obstacles with 16 jumps. The maximum height of 1.30 meters is fully utilized. What stands out: Course designer Frank Rothenberger has decided to include three double combinations in the course. And there’s more: these combinations are also placed in somewhat unorthodox spots along the course. Immediately following 4a/4b—an oxer/steep jump—comes 5a/5b, a steep jump/oxer, in a straight line along the long side.

Jump 8, a steep jump, must be approached with a turn about from the entry. That’s not exactly easy either. Across the stadium diagonal comes a triple bar (9). The toughest part—which looks deceptively easy because it’s built so high off the ground—comes at the very end: The course that will decide the World Eventing Championship concludes with the third double combination, two steep jumps, 13a/13b.