Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam picked up individual gold for Germany in Eventing on Sunday, October 3rd, at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG).
The Eventing World Championship by Reem Acra competition included three phases: Dressage, Cross-Country and Stadium Jumping – all occurring at the Kentucky Horse Park of Lexington, Kentucky.
The German equestrian, who stunned spectators at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park, finishing with a three-day score of 33.0, said merely competing in the global event was an honor and a dream.
"It's been a great experience here," Michael Jung declared after his final ride (in the Stadium Jumping portion of the Eventing competition). "The stadium and facilities are perfect. The people are friendly, and the conditions to compete are optimum."
William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain steps up for the silver medal.
Riding Cool Mountain, British equestrian Eventer William Fox-Pitt jumped completed a clear round in Stadium Jumping to finish in second place with a score of 42.0.
Learning of the final individual Eventing standings, William Fox-Pitt said this of the winner: "t's really incredible how far ahead Michael [Jung] is of us right now. We've got our work cut out for us over the next two years."
New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson scores a bronze medal in WEG Eventing.
Andrew Nicholson and Nereo completed the top three finishers in individual Eventing with a score of 43.5.
"I was hoping to have a chance at an individual medal," Andrew Nicholson reflected. "[Nereo has] a lot of confidence, and we've been consistent in all three phases all year."
US Eventer Becky Holder and Courageous Comet withdrawn from third phase.
Tossing a shoe on the cross-country course during the second phase of the three-day Eventing competition, Becky Holder’s mount Courageous Comet was withdrawn from the contest. Becky Holder voluntarily removed the horse from the third day’s Stadium Jumping challenge, although the American pair stood in third place at that point.
American Karen O’Connor and Mandiba finished 8th after a fence refusal and knock-down.
Vying for an individual medal, U.S. equestrian Eventer Karen O’Connor was saddled with two time faults in the Show Jumping Round. Her horse, Mandiba, refused a gate before knocking it down on the second approach.
"That was a bit unexpected," Karen O’Connor commented. "I thought [Mandiba] jumped over the triple bar really well. I took back for the five strides because it was riding tight ,and he dropped a little behind me. He just saw it all too late. I don't have any excuse. I don't have an answer for this."
Karen O’Connor’s husband, equestrian Eventer David O’Connor, watched with the Canadian team, for whom he served as coach.
Here are the final individual standings for WEG Eventing:
- Germany – Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam – 33.0
- Great Britain – William Fox-Pitt and Cool Mountain – 42.0
- New Zealand - Andrew Nicholson and Nereo – 43.5
The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) continues through October 11th at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.
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