It wasn’t quite a wire-to-wire win, but Germany’s Richard Vogel led brilliantly most of the way to take richly deserved individual honors during the Longines FEI European Jumping Championship at Casas Novas in A Coruña, Spain on Sunday.
Never taking a misstep throughout four days of competition with the sensational United Touch S, Richie showed polished style over the demanding and brilliant technical courses produced by 2024 Paris Olympics co-designer Santiago Varela of Spain.
The new European Champion, Richard Vogel on United Touch S. (FEI Photo/Benjamin Clark)
The first day’s speed and handiness round was won by Daniel Coyle of Ireland on Legacy, but wishing to save the mare for future ventures, he dropped out. Richie’s time was 0.03 seconds slower than Daniel’s to put him second by a hair, but he moved up to first place and never left it following the Irishman’s departure.
Round after round, he and the Westfalen stallion by Untouched delivered fault-free trips over courses that demanded the utmost attention to detail, which is Richie’s specialty with United.
“I think everyone that saw it live or in front of the television sees how amazing he is,” the new European champion emphasized.
“How he performed over all days here gave such an incredible feeling. I’m very glad I could give him this medal, because he really, really deserves it.”
Sunday’s first course at the championships.
Richie didn’t hesitate to explain what contributes to his success.
“I’m just very lucky to be surrounded by special people. To name all of them would take another 20 minutes, probably half an hour. They are trying to make the best out of me there is,” he said modestly. His partner, Sophie Hinners, also was successful, finishing sixth on Iron Dames My Prins.
The competition was whittled down from 69 starters on Wednesday through to 25 starters Sunday morning, followed by a final contest for the top 12.
Sunday’s final course for the top 12.
The individual podium wound up with representatives of the three medal-winning teams.
The Longines FEI European Championships individual medalists: Scott Brash, Great Britain, silver; Richard Vogel, Germany, gold and Gilles Thomas, Belgium, bronze. (FEI Photo)
Richie contributed to Germany’s team bronze medal effort; individua silver medalist Scott Brash (Hello Folie) also was part of Great Britain’s medal of the same color, and young Gilles Thomas (Ermitage Kalone) took bronze after serving on Belgium’s gold medal team.
Scott’s ride was amazing all week, jumping out of spots where it looked as if his mare didn’t have a chance of keeping the rails in place — but Folie always did.
“She’s an incredible mare,” said Scott, mentioning that in the warm-up she felt a little tired. No matter.
“She still gives her absolute all. That shows her fighting spirit,” he noted proudly.
“She’s incredible, she’s fantastic, she knows she’s good. She’s like a small pony – she loves her food and is very greedy. She’s also quite lazy – you’d be surprised, because she’s so excitable when she goes in the ring, but she’s quite lazy in and about the place and tries to cheat out of doing work. So we have to talk to each other now and again and come to a compromise. ”
Gilles noted he had wanted a team medal in Spain, but after achieving that, “My horse felt very good, so I started to believe in another medal. Coming home with two medals is a dream. I always dreamed of having a medal in a big championship.. And now I have two,” said the man whose career took off after he was a gold medalist at both Children’s and Junior level. He has brought his 11-year-old Selle Francais stallion along for eight years.
The horses of the top three are incredible creatures, showing such an amazingly high standard that takes the sport to another level. The European Championships offered an impressive view of how the sport’s quality has evolved. With so many younger riders, such as 27-year-old Gilles and 22-year-old Seamus Hughes Kennedy of Ireland in fifth place, it demonstrated a secure standard of athletes — human and equine– for years to come.
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