La Biosthetique-Sam FBW has been removed from rider Michael Jung’s barn just five weeks after winning the individual gold medal at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (Ky.), according to European equestrian website www.sms-pferdenews.de.
Our columnist believes U.S. eventing will have to combat complacency on multiple fronts to have any chance at a team medal in two years.
As I sat on a plane coming home from Lexington, Ky., I thought about how everyone that I talked to had something to say about the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. They loved it, they thought it was too expensive, they were proud of their U.S. athletes. And yes, after the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team failed to medal, some were disappointed with us.
Lexington, Ky.—Oct. 3
There were scarcely any words to describe German rider Michael Jung’s individual gold-medal performance with La Biosthetique-Sam FBW. He finished just as he started the weekend—in first place on a 33.0.
But William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain, who finished 9 points behind Jung for silver, said it best: “It was Michael Jung: 1, and the rest: nowhere.”
Irish rider Patricia Ryan’s horse Fernhill Clover Mist, who was eliminated by officials after bolting uncontrollably during cross-country at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games yesterday, Oct. 2, sustained a major hock injury according William Micklem.
After being held at the Sunday morning veterinary inspection at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Becky Holder decided to withdraw Courageous Comet. The pair had been sitting in third place.
Holder made the interesting decision to run with Comet on his right side, something she did not do on Wednesday in the initial jog.
Lexington, Ky.—Oct. 2
After the conclusion of cross-country today at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Eventing Championships in Lexington, Ky., Germany’s Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW maintained their spot at the top of leaderboard on their dressage score of 33.0. But not much else stayed the same today, as Michael Etherington-Smith’s 28-jump course proved influential on the rest of the standings, individual and team.
Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam produced one of the best dressage tests in eventing history to head the World Championship field today. He is an experienced horse and Michael is now one of the best event riders in the world so he must have good chance of holding onto his lead in the cross-country phase today. But will he cope with the pressure?
Lexington, Ky.—Oct. 1
The German eventing team took a commanding lead after dressage (114.3) at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, when the top three team riders placed first, seventh and 11th at the conclusion of the phase. That’s not even counting Simone Deitermann, who currently sits third and is competing for Germany as an individual.
There is a line in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which I just love because it describes how so many feel trying to understand the intricacies of dressage and dressage judging, particularly after an explanation from an expert: “I've just decided to switch our Friday schedule to Monday, which means that the test we take each Friday on what we learned during the week will now take place on Monday before we've learned it. But since today is Tuesday, it doesn't matter in the slightest.”
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use