It was not supposed to be the German home victory at the Mercedes Benz Nations Cup at CHIO Aachen. With eight penalty points in the log, the team of Otto Becker finished in sixth place. The victory with zero penalty points went to the once again convincing team from the Irish with Bertram Allen, Shane Sweetnam, Denis Lynch and Cian O’Connor and a completely white jersey. Only Denis Lynch made a mistake with Vistogrand (v. Fantaland) on the first jump in the first round. Subsequently, Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro (v. Pacino), Shane Sweetnam and James Can Cruz (v. Kannan) all scored zero points. Cian O’Connor, who was faultless in the first round, did not have to start in round two at all after Denis Lynch had also scored zero points this time. This was the clear victory over the Mexicans who were celebrating loudly with only four penalty points.
There were double zero rounds in the German team as well. Starter André Thieme had a net roller in the first round with his European champion mare of 2021, DSP Chakaria (v. Chap), and in the second round a pole fell as well. But Jana Wargers and Limbridge (v. Limbus) remained with great joy of the cheering home audience for double zero and also Kendra Claricia Brinkop and the only nine-year-old Tabasco de Toxandria (v. Thuunder vd Zuuthoeve) shone with two flawless performances. Final rider Christian Kukuk and Mumbai (v. Diamant de Semilly) did not quite find the right rhythm in the first round and collected eight penalty points – a total score. In the second round a net roller went down.
„We would have liked to have won here at home. That is of course not a wish list, the Irish were outstanding and we of course congratulate them. Our ladies were also outstanding today. Unfortunately, the men had too many errors. That is not a criticism, they rode well. The devil is in the detail. Christian may have ridden almost too cautiously in the first round and did not get such a good rhythm. In the second round it was much better. Of course, we would have liked to have been further up the standings. It continues,“ said Bundestrainer Otto Becker after speaking to spring-reiter.de.
Great Britain secured third place on the podium with double-zero rounds by Ben Maher, one or three attempts for Harry Charles, double-zero by Scott Brash and one attempt by Robert Whitaker.
The whole result: HERE