Aachen, 01. September 2006

Reining: Gold for the USA - Germany narrowly misses medal

For the second time ever reining is one of the disciplines of the FEI World Equestrian Games. Today the Team World Championships in reining were decided in Aachen. 21 nations were represented and 15 of them had nominated a team. The crowd in Aachen, who gave the riders incredible support, were rewarded with excellent rides across the board. The two most successful reining riders in the world had also saddled their horses: Tim Mc Quay (USA), who has already won over 2 million US Dollars in prize-money and million-dollar rider Dell Hendricks.

In the end the medals were awarded in the same order as at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez in 2002: The United States lived up to their reputation as favourites and claimed the gold medal with a score of 665 points. Their best rider was Aaron Ralston with Smart Paul Olena (223.5). Tim McQuay and Mister Nicadual achieved 222.5 and Dell Hendricks with Starbucks Sidekick notched up 219 points. Matt Mills with Easy Otie Whiz was the scratch result (217.5).

Silver went to Canada, who almost managed to catch up on the US team after their final rider Duane Latimer with Hang Ten Surprize achieved a fantastic score for a brilliant performance (225!). Francois Gautier, Luke Gagnon and Lance Griffin each scored 219.5 and 219 points respectively.

The Italian team won bronze again with an overall score of 656, lying only half a point in front of the German team. This was above all due to the superb ride by Christian Perez and Dualin For Me, who attained a score of 221.5. Dario Carmignani with Skeets Dun scored 219.5, Adriano Meacci and Docs Tivio Hancock were both awarded 215 points. Marco Ricotta with Peppy Secolo was the scratch result (207.4).

The German team had to overcome a big handicap: Two of their horses didn't pass the vet inspection: Grischa Ludwig's Coeur D Wright Stuff and Alexander Ripper's Solanoswarleeboy. Thus endangering the team just before the competition began. Ludwig (Bitz) saddled his reserve horse, an American Quarter Horse mare bred in Hessen, BV Smart Innuendo, which meant Germany could enter a team in the competition, but they had no scratch result. Accompanied by thunderous applause Ludwig gave a super performance that was rewarded with a score of 218.5. There was a small irregularity in Nico Hörmann's (Schwanewede) first spin with Lil Ruf Cody, but he managed to score a lot of points on the circles and in the stops, so that he finally left the arena with 217.5 points. Sylvia Rzepka from Starnberg provided the best German result with her stallion Golden Mc Jac, she showed a harmonious ride, but risked plenty and was rewarded by the judges with a score of 219.5. Suddenly, a medal seemed to be within grasp, but then they were pipped at the post by the Italian team.

However, they have another chance on Sunday, when today's 20 best reiners compete for the individual title. And all three German riders have qualified.