Britain win FEI European eventing champion, Germany's Klimke takes individual title

Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-21 08:00:28|Editor: Zhou Xin
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LONDON, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Britain claimed the team title at the European Eventing Championships in Strzegom, Poland, on Sunday.

Germany's Ingrid Klimke, who has been a key member of his national team for 17 years, delivered a jumping perfect round under pressure on Horseware Hale Bob to win her first individual title and led Germany to team silver.

The British team, which consisted of Nicola Wilson, Ros Canter, Oliver Townend and Kristiina Cook, maintained their lead on Saturday and performed pefectly with three superb clear rounds in the final phase.

"We are very excited to be back on top," said Cook. "We've got some amazing riders and horses and we've worked hard for this."

Triple European champion Michael Jung's winning run finally ended and the German sportingly settled for individual silver with a clear round on Fischer Rocana.

"You just have to keep going and after 20 years it will happen. I always want to be a team player, but this was my dream," said Klimke.

Sweden held onto team bronze, but Sara Algotsson Ostholt had a less than happy jumping round on Reality 39 and dropped from third to ninth.

Britain's Wilson went clear on Bulana to take bronze, her first individual medal, while Cook and Canter lined up behind her in fourth and fifth. Townend, who was the discard score, did not present Cooley SRS at the final horse inspection.

Ten teams and 56 riders completed the competition, although there was disappointment when host nation Poland's best rider, Pawel Spisak, was denied a fairy-tale finish after Banderas did not pass the final horse inspection.

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