The first day of the World Equestrian Championships is a disappointment. On the second, however, the German eventing team starts a catch-up race. The most important part of the cross-country test is on the program on Saturday.
After a weak start at the Equestrian World Championships in Italy, the German eventing team improved from seventh to second place on Friday.
Especially multi-champion Michael Jung impressed with his dressage. The 40-year-old rider from Horb is in first place before the cross-country ride on Saturday.
Jung clenched his fist and rode out of the square with Chipmunk beaming with joy. “That was great,” commented the 2010 individual world champion. “He was great to ride,” explained Jung, who only received 18.8 penalty points. Second in singles is Laura Collett with London (19.3) ahead of her compatriot Yasmin Ingham with Banzai (22.0). In the team ranking, Great Britain leads Germany and the US team.
Olympic champion Julia Krajewski had already shone in the morning. The 33-year-old from Warendorf showed a good performance with Amande and only received the equivalent of 26.0 penalty points. “I’m very happy,” said Krajewski, who was the first woman to win Olympic gold in eventing a year ago in Tokyo. “She’s more of a jumper,” she said of her mare: “She can’t go much better in dressage.”
The day before, Christoph Wahler from Bad Bevensen with Carjatan and Sandra Auffarth from Ganderkesee on Viamant had not shown top performances. “Yesterday things didn’t go as planned, the points are missing now,” said national coach Peter Thomsen. “Everything went according to plan today.” Jung’s dressage ride was “without words”, enthused the coach. Also “Julia has shown a brilliant riding performance”.
The hardest test is yet to come, the cross-country ride on Saturday. “We are well prepared,” said Jung. He wants to walk the cross-country route one more time, “and then I’ll make a plan”. After the cross country, the decision in Rocca di Papa on Sunday will be in the jumping.
Source: Stern
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