Germany Triumphs in Thrilling Finale of Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™️ Final 2023
In an exhilarating showdown at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Team Germany secured a convincing victory on the last day of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™️ Final 2023. Their remarkable performance, marked by a flawless score, gave them a two-fence lead over their closest competitors: France, Belgium, and Brazil.
However, it was a challenging day for Team USA, who finished in fifth place with a total of nine faults. They narrowly missed out on the coveted qualifying spot for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which instead went to Brazil.
Team Switzerland and Team Great Britain both finished with 12 faults, with their rankings determined by the combined times of their team members. Team Ireland rounded out the competition in eighth place, accumulating 13 faults.
The victory was particularly satisfying for Team Germany, marking their return to the top of the podium in Barcelona, where they last triumphed in 2016. Chef d’Equipe Otto Becker expressed his pride and happiness with his team’s exceptional performance, commending their riding skills.
The Germans faced a challenging start when pathfinder Jana Wargers and the 14-year-old mare Dorette incurred faults on both the rustic double at fence 11 and the middle element of the triple combination. However, Christian Kukuk and the 13-year-old gelding Checker 47 delivered a solid clear round. Hans-Dieter Dreher and the magnificent grey Elysium overcame some tricky moments to complete the course without faults. Richard Vogel, riding the expressive United Touch S, sealed the victory with an impressive round, leaving Team Germany well ahead of the competition.
In the words of Christian Kukuk, who delivered a solid clear round for Team Germany: “I was disappointed with one down on Thursday, but then we brought it on point today, and that made me very happy. My horse jumped good again, and I’m really, really happy to sit here as a winner now!”
Chef d’Equipe Otto Becker expressed his delight: “I’m super happy and super proud of them; they rode very well.”
Richard Vogel, who sealed the victory with his remarkable performance, said, “I was hoping I could do something for the team because until this afternoon, I felt like someone who was watching the show but not taking part in it!” He humorously acknowledged the energy and strength of his stallion, United Touch S.
The Germans’ triumph underscored their remarkable skill and exceptional teamwork, securing their place atop the podium in Barcelona once more. As they celebrated their victory, they turned their gaze towards upcoming equestrian challenges, armed with the same unwavering determination that propelled them to success in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™️ Final 2023.
Photo Copyright ©FEI/Leanjo de Koster – Richard Vogel, Hans Dieter Dreher, Jorne Sprehe, Otto Becker, Jana Wargers e Christian Kukuk alla Nations Cup Final 2023 di Barcellona
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