Jung and Relentless at Nation’s Cup Event

By Paula Parisi March 24, 2012

The world’s first FEI Nation’s Cup in Eventing CICO 3* got underway March 22 in Fountainbleau, France, where 58 riders competed in dressage Thursday and Friday. Germany’s Michael Jung, 30, dominated the test, finishing first, second and third on, respectively, La Biosthetique Sam (35.6), Leopin (37.4) and Weidezaunprofi’s River (38.0).

The strong showing propelled Germany into first place heading into cross country. Eleven countries are participating in the event. Australia, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Spain are the six fielding teams in the Nation’s Cup (teams of four, but only best three scores count). Additionally, riders from Canada, Denmark, Italy, Japan and Switzerland sent riders to compete individually at both the CICO/CCIO 3* and CIC/CCI 1* level. Riders are accumulating points under a system the FEI created specifically for this new series of international team eventing.

In two tests that took place March 22-23, the horse and rider pairs were marked on 21 movements and were judged on impulsion, submission, position and technique by the three judges. Great Britain’s Rodney Powell and Happy Go Lucky came in fourth, and Clayton Fredericks of Australia was fifth with Bendigo.

Japanese rider Kenki Sato and Toy Boy also distinguished themselves on day one, tying for tenth with Fabrice Lucas, who had the best French results of the day on Keep du Mesnil. Sato, 27, trains with Jung’s father, Joachim, and is known as the “horse-riding Buddhist priest.” He has made it onto Japan’s 2012 Olympics eventing team.

Although international judges Nathalie Carrière and Pascal Laurençon set very high standards in evaluating the first day’s performances. “Overall, I think several horses lacked submission, especially for the half-passes. Some are still green,” Carrière said.

“I also expected more prepared horses,” Laurençon added, noting that their fussiness “may be due to the fact that we just got out of the winter season, or that the Grand Parquet Stadium is spectacular. The huge stands and the public’s moves during the afternoon might have disturbed the horses.”

One can’t help but think that the U.S., which sat this one out, largely due to a lack of seasoned mounts, might have felt right at home in Fountainbleau (though shipping horses to Europe is an expensive way to school!)

Laurençon noted that the top 10 ranked riders “are definitely more ready than the others. They showed impressive movement and suppleness and this made the difference.

Sixteen riders were back for the second dressage test on day two, with Jung dominating again. “My horses did great dressage tests and this was demonstrated by the international judges’ marks,” Jung said, noting, “the ground was not easy. These days, most dressage tests are on sand and here we worked on grass. Horses do not expect that.”

Jung said he is particularly happy with Weidezaunprofi’s River of Joy. “He is usually quite nervous. However, he had enough time to get used to the ground.” His top horse, La Biosthetique Sam, “is pretty jittery,” but nonetheless managed an excellent performance. “My three horses each have their own personalities, and I must adapt to each of them. It might sound cliché, but a rider who knows his horse can anticipate reactions better, and complicity is key.”

Lucas, who said his horse was quite put off by the footing, gave credit where credit was due, lauding Jung’s performance: “He perfectly illustrates the German savoir-faire, rigorous and supple. It is always interesting to see such riders. Unfortunately for us,” Lucas added with a smile, “he absolutely masters the three disciplines. And he can count on excellent horses.”

Team Provisional Results after Dressage:

1. German
2. Australia
3. The Netherlands
4. France

Complete dressage results, click here.

List of riders and order of go for dressage, click here. (* indicates team rider)

 

 

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