Equestrian sports: EM gold for show jumping rider Vogel: “I’m overjoyed”

Richard Vogel stroked his horse’s neck united touch and beamed. At the European Championship in Spain, the jumping rider won with an outstanding performance of single gold, jumped on the podium at the award ceremony and waved to the audience.

The 28-year-old professional from Pfungstadt confidently prevailed in A Coruña and ensured the 16th German individual title at an EM. “This is hard to put into words, I am over-happy that we were able to go through it until the end,” said Vogel later.

“Everyone saw how phenomenal he is,” the winner praised his jumping horse. “It feels very nice,” he commented on the title. “There is an entire team behind it, also at home. This medal is also for everyone else.”

Second medal at the EM

The German final rider kept his nerves on the Galician coast. He rode the last European Championship starter and, like the four rides, came to the finish line without mistakes – and thus celebrated the greatest success of his career so far.

Vogel had already won bronze with the German team on Friday – as well as Sophie Hinners. Vogels 27 -year -old girlfriend made the second best result from a German perspective and came sixth with My Prins. Second in singles, the Briton Scott Brash with Hello foil in front of the Belgian Gilles Thomas on Ermitage Kalone.

The first round of the final was already running according to Vogel. The 28-year-old showed a sovereign idea with United Touch. “We want to try to do that again,” said the professional from Pfungstadt before his last ride. And he did that too. “I’m trying not to let myself go crazy,” said Vogel about his recipe. “This is of course easier if you have a good horse and started the week well.”

EM debutant becomes sixth

Sophie Hinners delivered a strong performance with sixth place. The 27-year-old showed a flawless idea with My Prins in the first round. While her friend Richard Vogel, who had to ride the last starter, prepared himself, she showed herself confidently in the second circulation.

“He jumped great,” said Hinners about her horse: “It feels great.” She was less excited about her own rides than with those of her friend, she said: “Watching to watch me makes me more nervous.” After her rides, she quickly ran to the riding arena, where her partner was preparing. “It was important to me to just be there if he had a question,” said Hinners. Vogel later said: “I’m mega-like on her, that was her first championship.”

Olympic champion only in 17th place

Christian Kukuk’s balance sheet was quite clear after 17th place in the singles. “This is a bit disappointing,” commented the individual Olympic champion of Paris. With Just Be Gentle, he stayed without a drop, but received a penalty point because he had exceeded the permitted time.

“Even without the time error, I wouldn’t have made it into the last round of the best twelve,” said Kukuk. He failed a better starting situation beforehand. The drop in his last round of the team competition on Friday prevented the gold profit and robbed the 35-year-old from Riesenbeck the chance of another medal.

As a successor, Marcus Ehning rode on Sunday because some riders had withdrawn before the final. But the final display with Coolio was basically finished after the first jump. In his tenth European Championship, the 51-year-old from Borken conceded the early possible drop and ended up only in 24th place.

“I have to let it sink,” commented Ehning, commenting on his ride and saw the fault of the annoying mistake with himself. “I was at the beginning,” said the veteran. “My horse was in good shape, but I could have ride better,” said Ehning. After all, his conclusion was: “I also won a bronze medal here.”