The German show jumpers were not able to successfully defend the title in the renowned Nations Cup at the CHIO in Aachen.
The team of national coach Otto Becker had to settle for fifth place in the floodlight jumping in each of the two rounds of the four nominated riders. Victory went to Switzerland for the first time since 2002 with world-class jumper Martin Fuchs ahead of Great Britain and Belgium.
Germany was sixth after the first round, only Hans-Dieter Dreher remained undefeated in front of 40,000 spectators. First jumper Jana Wargers and Mario Stevens each tore a pole, Marcus Ehning two.
In the second round, it was above all the bitter penalties from Stevens and Dreher that cost Germany victory. Both made one mistake each. Wargers remained flawless in the final run, as did Ehning as the last rider. Due to the strong performance of the competition, however, it was no longer enough for a top rank.
The German team, which won the title in the most important Nations Cup in the world last year, has to wait for its 30th triumph.