BLAIR DAY 2: Germany takes control

Sandra Auffarth & Opgun Louvo

It’s all change at the top of the leaderboard at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championship 2015, Blair Castle. The reigning European, World and Olympic champions, Germany, have taken command on the second day of dressage after their third and fourth team riders, world champion Sandra Auffarth and Ingrid Klimke, rode superb Dressage tests.

Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo, demonstrated the same cool-headedness that has won them six championship medals, including the world title in Normandy last year, to take over pole position.

Sandra Auffarth & Chris Bartle

A punchy, flowing and completely mistake-free test earned the pair a mark of 31.4, leaving them 0.3 of a penalty ahead of yesterday’s leaders, Great Britain’s Holly Woodhead and DHI Lupison.

“He was perfect and relaxed, and he really enjoyed the test,” said Sandra. When asked whether she felt the weight of expectation on her after her – and Germany’s – phenomenal run of championship success, she said: “I was surprised I didn’t feel more nervous. When I was trotting round the arena and the commentator introduced me as the World Champion, I did think, ‘that’s nice, that’s me!’”

Klimke is currently in eighth place individually on Horseware Hale Bob with a score of 37.8. “I was a bit worried because the wind was blowing and ‘Bobby’ might be thinking he was going across country, but he did a wonderful job and was supple and obedient,” Klimke said of her Badminton runner-up. 

Francis Whittington

Great Britain couldn’t quite reproduce yesterday’s glut of scores in the 30s, but there were nevertheless some exciting performances from squad newcomers and young horses. The team currently lies in the silver medal position. Unusually, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) is the team discard score after a Dressage test that will have left the world number two slightly disappointed. He scored 43.0 on Bay My Hero, but any hopes of breaking the 40-penalty barrier were dashed with average marks for trot work and paces and is well down the order in 23rd place.

Pippa Funnell

Pippa Funnell’s young horse, Sandman 7, with whom she won Chatsworth CIC3* earlier this year, lived up to expectations and left her in 19th position on a score of 41.

“I could feel he was a bit nervous, but he tried very hard and I think his performance shows the quality of horse he is,” said Pippa, who holds the distinction of being the only rider to win back-to-back European titles on the same horse (on Supreme Rock in 1999 and 2001).

Francis Whittington

British individuals Francis Whittington (Easy Target) and Oliver Townend (Fenya’s Elegance) both conjured brilliant performances from their mounts, which earned them positions in the top 12 (seventh and 12th respectively). “I’m over the moon with Smokey this week, he’s been working in really nicely, then to go in there and do a test that I can be really proud of I’m very happy,” said a delighted Francis.

“For myself and Smokey’s owner Catherine Witt, we’re thrilled – so very happy; twenty years in the waiting but very happy. Seeing the girls go out yesterday, and perform such amazing tests, they truly did some fantastic tests, I thought I better start concentrating and try quite hard!” Yesterday’s leader, Holly Woodhead (DHI Lupison) has only dropped one place and currently lies in individual silver medal position.

Wills Oaken & Greystone Midnight Mel

The afternoon session saw Wills Oakden make his senior team debut with Greystone Midnight Melody, owned by Mr David Kenwright and Sylvia Douglas. With the crowd behind him and Molly all the way, the duo produced a lovely test to post 46.40 penalties.

Wills commented; “It’s been exciting, it’s been a whirlwind being a late substitution but it’s all been good fun. I’ve loved walking the course, loved being here just soaking up the atmosphere. She got a little bit tense going in, but I think with that atmosphere she’s bound to. It’s the first time in an arena of that calibre, I couldn’t have asked for anymore.”

On what it means to compete in front of a home crowd; “It’s very exciting have all the home support; it’s given us a real boost and just looking forward to the rest of the weekend.”

The cost of one Cross Country mistake covers the top four teams after Dressage. France and Sweden, the bronze and silver team medallists in Malmö (SWE), are now in third and fourth positions and looking good in their quest to secure qualification for the Olympic Games in Rio next year.

Tickets are available to purchase daily on the gate, for more information please visit www.blair2015.com

Individual Results after Dressage

Cross country can be viewed on either the BBC Red Button, Sky Channel 980 or on FEI TV. Coverage is due to start at 10.50am, with the first horse on course at 11am. Full cross country start times can be found here but Team GBR are as follows:

Useful links:

www.feitv.org

Photos © MDR Photo