The German show jumping team lost out on a medal at the World Championships in Denmark after André Thieme fell. Along with Chakaria, the European champion from Plau am See withdrew. On Friday evening in Herning, Christian Ahlmann of Marl was the final rider to earn fifth place for national coach Otto Becker’s team on his horse Dominator.
“It’s just unfortunate for the squad,” Thieme added. “I’m ashamed of myself. I had no idea what was going on when I came to rest. At least the horse was unharmed. National trainer Otto Becker remarked, “Usually his horse gets better every day. “However, the dreams came to an end. This is sour.”
After all, the German team succeeded in securing an early qualification spot for the Paris Olympics in 2024. Being one of the top five teams at the World Cup was necessary for this. In front of about 10,000 fans in the FC Midtjylland football stadium that had been converted, Sweden won the gold.
André Thieme wanted to perform better on Friday after a poor showing at the World Championships on Wednesday, when he finished last for Germany in the time competition, but things actually got worse. The rider retired after falling off Chakaria. The 47-year-old Plau am See resident saw to it that the outcome was overturned.
Marcus Ehning of Stargold started the race, much like the days before. The 48-year-old from Borken did not put on a stellar display in the second round of the Nations Cup on Thursday after the previous round’s error-free performance. The three-time World Cup champion’s stallion amassed eight penalty points, placing his side in a challenging starting position. It’s a huge pressure for the three, so I have to hope for the others now, Ehning added. “I hope I have the worst outcome of all of us,” But he was mistaken.
World Cup rookie Jana Wargers maintained her composure.
Jana Wargers maintained her composure despite the dismal start that the starting rider produced. With Limbridge, the World Championship rookie displayed a round without a knockdown and appeared to rocket over the barriers with her gelding. She only received one penalty point for going over the allotted time, though.
The 30-year-old, who is from Bocholt, Belgium, put in a strong display at her first significant international competition, finishing with just one mistake across the three special stages. Wargers said, “Yes, there was a lot of pressure after Marcus had two penalties, but everything worked out today.
Christian Ahlmann was under extra strain because he was the final German starter. He described the 13-obstacle course as having “a couple more leaps to jump” when riding the Dominator saddle. The Marl resident, age 47, also had to deal with a knockout.
The most recent medal was bronze, won at the title fights in Tryon, North Carolina, four years ago. At the first World Cup with Becker serving as national coach in Lexington, Kentucky in 2010, Germany won the final of the three gold medals.
On Sunday, there will be another chance to win a medal. In two additional rounds, the individual world champion will be decided. There would be a jump-off if the leaders had the same number of points. The final with a switch of horses that was formerly traditional has been eliminated. Simone Blum from Zolling in Bavaria most recently won gold with Alice in the USA four years ago. (dpa)