Germany did Thursday what it usually does, taking team gold for the twenty-sixth time at the European Dressage Championships. That nation has won a total of 26 golds in European championship competition, though at the last Euro title meet two year ago, it settled for silver while Britain took gold.
This time, the placings were reversed, with Britain less than three points behind the Germans, 229.644 to 226.785.
“It’s very sweet to get it back,” said German Chef d’equipe Klaus Roeser, who works with coach Monica Theodorescu.
“We are very happy once again to bring the title back to Germany.”
The German dressage team: Chef d’equipe Klaus Roeser, Ingrid Klimke, Isabell Werth, Frederic Wandres, Katherina Hemmer and Monica Theodorescu.
As has been the case since she was suspended in 2024 for whipping a horse during a lesson several years ago, Britain’s former superstar, Charlotte Dujardin, was absent from the team, although she has been competing in England since her punishment ended in July. But the mare on whom she won an individual bronze at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, Mount St. John Freestyle, performed in great style with Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St. John Freestyle.
Cathrine was the only competitor at the title meet in Crozet, France, on the border with Switzerland, to break the 80 percent mark with her test, earning 80.823 percent. Freestyle did not compete in Aachen last month, which proved to be a wise decision by Cathrine, who as a result enjoyed a fresh horse in France. She led the Danish team to bronze on 223.385. It was the third time in that medal position for Denmark.
“We came here with quite a green team, and maybe weren’t yet in a position to chase the Germans and Brits, but we made it to the podium,” Catherine said. She was just ahead of Germany’s top rider, Isabell Werth on Wendy de Fontaine, with 79.224 percent. The mare was consistent, though her lower lip was often in motion and her mouth opened at times, showing some tension.
Britain missed a chance to overtake Germany when anchor rider Lottie Fry’s performance with Glamourdale wasn’t up to her usual level. She got a 4.5 for her collected canter, and her left pirouette was disheveled, scoring 4.4. The ride was saved, as always, by the stallion’s ground-eating canter. Team stalwart Carl Hester, the architect of Britain’s rise to the top of the dressage world, had a bravura performance with Fame on 76.098 percent to stand fifth, ahead of Lottie.
“I am just thrilled,” said Carl.
“He is such a genuine horse. He’s nice to ride, he’s fun to ride and he’s fun to ride around the Grand Prix because he doesn’t run out of energy – and he’s like that every day, whether you’re at home or in an arena.
“I’ve had some great rides this year. Of course, there’s always something that can be better. I probably went better in my extended trots today than I’ve gone before, but I just thought, ‘go for it – we’re behind anyway, so I need to ride a little bit stronger.”
Jagerbomb, who made his Olympic debut in Paris last year with owner Becky Moody, was marked at 74.829 and would have been higher if not for an unscripted flying change in the extended canter. Britain had only a three-person team after pathfinder Andrew Gould’s Indigro was blown out by a judge during his test for being uneven on the first day of Grand Prix..
Everyone was looking forward to the appearance of Aachen sensation Justin Verboomen and the rivetingl Zonik Plus for Belgium. He started off with 8s for his entrance, but hit the boards during his reinback (5.2) and his power presentation of the one-tempis led to a costly error ,resulting in a mark of 4.6 for that movement. Justin didn’t quite hit 80 percent, winding up in third place with a score of 79.084 percent, which put the Belgian team fourth with 220.062.
The top 30 return for the Grand Prix Special on Friday.
Click here for individual results. Click here for team results.