The shock is too great. The German show jumpers miss a medal at the European Championships. The end of the pioneer cannot be compensated.
Weakened by Marcus Ehning’s exit, the German show jumpers missed the gold medal at the European Championships, which was within their grasp.
At the Ippodromo San Siro, the team of national coach Otto Becker was unable to defend the lead they had achieved the previous day without their pioneer. Instead of the eighth team gold in the history of the European Championship for Germany, there was only fourth place. The European Championship victory in Milan went to Sweden ahead of Ireland and Austria.
The competition started with a shock for the German team from which they never recovered. Marcus Ehning couldn’t ride because his horse Stargold wasn’t really fit. “Seen from below, the horse moved well, it trotted well,” explained national coach Otto Becker shortly after the bad news. Ehning “said that it didn’t feel good and that it showed him that something was wrong. He didn’t want to take any risks and therefore withdrew.”
Ehning: “Hope it’s not bad”
Ehning later appeared composed, but also at a loss. Stargold “was kind of frightened in the box,” reported the experienced rider. Then he rode. “He doesn’t feel sick, but something is,” said Ehning. “I don’t think it’s anything serious. I hope it’s not bad,” added the veteran. “I’m sad, but I had to make this decision with the horse in mind.” The team’s equine physiotherapist diagnosed it as probably a blockage in the back.
The absence of the current Aachen winner increased the pressure on the other team members, especially on Gerrit Nieberg, who blundered with Ben on Wednesday and Thursday and delivered the discarded result. Only the best three results of each partial test count for each team, the worst is deleted.
Weishaupt involuntarily the starting rider
After Ehning’s exit, Philipp Weishaupt from Riesenbeck was the involuntary starting rider of the German team with Zineday. However, the 38-year-old, who had been faultless twice until then, conceded a knockdown. The lead the German team had achieved on Thursday was gone, the team slipped from first to fourth place.
“Of course, the failure was bitter,” said Weishaupt about Ehning’s exit. “We needed him badly.” But that didn’t make him more nervous. “I just did my thing,” said the 38-year-old. “At that moment you just ride for yourself,” he explained his motto.
“Of course Marcus was a blow for us”
Second German couple was Jana Wargers with Limbridge. The rider from Emsdetten, who lives in Belgium, was a disappointment after the brilliant performance the day before. The 32-year-old left the course with eight penalty points. The German team slipped even further, topping the bottom couples of each team in fifth place. “Marcus’ exit was of course a blow for us,” said the rider: “It puts pressure on.”
The stress for Gerrit Nieberg was greatest with Ben. The 31-year-old from Sendenhorst was the only disappointment of the otherwise strong team on the first two days. In his third round in Milan he received four penalty points and missed the chance to at least secure bronze for Germany.
Christian Kukuk, who had a knockdown with Mumbai, also has a chance for a medal in the individual competition. The professional from Riesenbeck was not part of the team, but is allowed to start as an individual rider due to new EC regulations. “That was one of our best laps today,” commented the 33-year-old on his third stage in Milan: “The mistake is all the more annoying.”