WEG 2010: Michael Jung retains the Lead

Over 50,800 spectators poured into the Kentucky Horse Park today to cheer on the riders during the cross-country phase of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The US had a great day, and currently sit in the silver medal position, behind Great Britain, while the Canadians are in third. Becky Holder, riding as an individual for the U.S., was the top finisher of the day, and currently sits in third place with Courageous Comet.

Great Britain (William Fox-Pitt, Nicola Wilson, Mary King, and Kristina Cook) reigned supreme at the end of the day, taking over the lead with 139.4 points, while the U.S. team (Boyd Martin, Buck Davidson, Karen O'Connor, and Phillip Dutton) is close behind with 143.3. Canada (Hawley Bennett-Awad, Kyle Carter, Selena O'Hanlon, and Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch) nips at their heels with 147.5.

The cross-country course, designed by Michael Etherington-Smith, was 6,412 meters long. The optimum time was 11 minutes, 15 seconds. There were 28 total obstacles on course, with 48 jumping efforts total.

Overnight leader Michael Jung of Germany was one of the last to ride, and in the group of four who were delayed due to a hold on course when the Italian combination of Juan Carlos Garcia and Iman du Golfe fell.

“At the start, I wasn't as happy as I would've loved, because I had to wait a long time, and I wasn't sure what time I would be starting,” Jung said about his start with La Biosthetique-Sam FBW. “A really fresh wind was blowing up, too, and my horse was getting quite cool. So I was working to keep him warmed-up, and I felt like I had plenty of time to prepare.”

Finally able to set off on course, the pair had to quickly find their rhythm, which they did after the first water complex, fence 5abc. “The first water came very quickly on course, and I rode it carefully. Our distance was long to the second element, but we came out of it very well.”

William Fox-Pitt, currently sitting in second place with 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Champion Cool Mountain, thought that the track was a true championship course. “No one would've guessed that it would cause the amount of trouble that it did,” he said. “I mean, I moved up from 12th to second. The last three really made it look like a canter around the park, though.”

Having already ridden over (and won) the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* course at the Kentucky Horse Park this April with Cool Mountain, he compared the two tracks. “The course was very different than the spring. It's still the same feel and the same terrain, but there were very few jumps that were the same. They all had to be respected. But after feeling how well he did in the spring, I was hopeful.”

Becky Holder, riding as an individual for the U.S. with her and her husband Tom's Courageous Comet is currently in third after an incredible ride left them with just a few time faults.

“[All the riders] thought this was an impressive course when we walked it,” she explained. “We knew if you made cumulative mistakes, it would catch up with you. But the horses seemed to gain confidence throughout their rounds. I was up on my minute markers until the end, and I ended up with a few more time faults than I wish I had.”

Still, she wasn't too disappointed, adding only 3.2 time faults, and now sitting in contention for a medal. “It was a relief to have the coffin and the wishing well complex in my rear view mirror,” she said. “That was very confidence building. The Head of the Lake was really fun and rhythmic, and having the crowd cheering there was great as well.”

The Head of the Lake, known for the WEG as the “Land Between the Lakes,” was completely redesigned this year, and offered several new elements including a large bank in the center of the complex.

Jung added of the course, “It was a difficult but beautiful course that was fair for the horses. There were demanding jumps all over the course, from the first jump to the very end.”

At the end of the day, three of the British riders posted clean rounds. Kristina Cook caught 20 faults for crossing her path in the Salato Wildlife Center (the first water complex), fences 5a, b, and c. While the team appealed the ruling, the ground jury ultimately decided the faults would stand. With her score dropped from their tally, they still lead the team competition with a score of 139.40.

“The pressure is on even more tomorrow,” said Fox-Pitt. “With such little space between us [and the Americans], it's terrifying.”

Germany lost their overnight lead with Dirk Schrade and Gadget de la Cere being eliminated, and Andreas Dibowski and Euroridings Butts Leon adding two refusals at fence 7b, part of the coffin complex, and hefty serving of time.

Becky commented on the U.S. team's performance and ascent into second place. “All of us are glad that the British team are feeling our breath down their necks,” she said with a laugh. “We're hoping to put on a good show tomorrow,” she added, commenting that the team has been working very closely with Katie Prudent on their show jumping in preparation for WEG.

For everyone, it will come down to keeping rails in the cups and finishing within the time in show jumping tomorrow.

For Jung, “It's already been a dream to be here, and leading is… well… more than a dream. I started off good with dressage, and cross-country was good except for the first water. He's a good jumper, but it can be difficult because of the atmosphere in the stadium. I'll have to work on having him concentrate on me, not the crowds, in the stadium tomorrow.”

Jung has partnered with the 10-year-old warmblood gelding since the horse was just five years old. “He has a lot of confidence in me,” he said. “He thinks with me on course. He really wants to work with me with all his heart.

“The atmosphere of riding through the park with this big crowd is very special. I'd put the saddle on him right now and do it all again,” Jung added with a laugh. “I think I might have a drink tonight, and enjoy the moment… but I'm going to bed early!”

But it wasn't all fun and games for all the riders on course today. It took its toll issuing a total of 2 retires, and 17 eliminations. Of those 17, 10 fell. 79 horses began the day, and 60 completed, and there were 39 clear jumping rounds (with 12 within the time).

There was only one injury, and that was to horse number 73, Iman du Golfe, ridden by Juan Carlos Garcia of Italy. The pair fell at fence 20, a 3'11″ corner known as Abraham Lincoln's Birthplace.