Fatigue was definitely a factor for many of the horses, and Alan Wade’s devilish course put them to the test.
Wade designed a course that looked deceptively simple. However, the spacing of the 550-meter track, which featured 13 obstacles and 16 efforts, meant riders had to be perfectly on their game to stay at the top of the leaderboard.
Heading into Monday’s Jumping phase, Great Britain were in the lead for the Team standings, followed by Ireland and France. At the top of the Individual rankings, Klimke was trailed by Rosalind Canter and Sarah Ennis of Ireland.
As well as WEG Team and Individual medals in contention for the 70 participating riders, six team qualifying berths were up for grabs for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, so the stakes were extra high.
Would the ability to withstand Saturday’s grueling Cross-Country course transfer to the Jumping arena? The required course time of 89 seconds caught many riders out, including a few who otherwise had clear rides.
Heading into the interim break, Andreas Dibowski of Germany was in the lead for Individual competition, followed by Italy’s Arianna Schivo and Germany’s Kai Rüder, all of whom rode clear.
With 35 riders still to come, the top spots were still very much open for the taking by higher seeded riders. Eight riders in the second half of the event rode clear, but penalty points from the previous two days’ competition kept some from climbing in the rankings.
With only eight riders left to go, everything was still up in the air. Piggy French of Great Britain knocked down only one rail, leaving her with 31.8 points. With teammates Tom McEwen, Kristina Cook, and Gemma Tattersall having in turned their rides, a medal was in Great Britain’s grasp if Canter could execute.
But there were other rides yet to go for both Team and Individual awards. Ireland’s McCarthy turned in a wow of a clear ride and ended on 27.2 points. New Zealander Tim Price had one fence down, but having done well in previous competition, stood at only 31.2 points.
Next up, Astier Nicolas and Lt Col Thibaut Vallette of France each accrued four points, which guaranteed France at least a bronze medal, thanks to superb performances earlier by teammates Donatien Schauly Adj, Sidney Dufresne, and Maxime Livio.
The pressure mounted as Ireland’s Sarah Ennis entered the arena. After only one rail came down, she happily finished on 30.3 points.
Would it be silver for Ireland? Team Ireland members Patricia Ryan, Sam Watson, and Cathal Daniels waited with bated breath.
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