Herning, Denmark – August 11, 2022 – The second day of competition at the 2022 Agria FEI Jumping World Championships in Herning, Denmark on Thursday, provided equestrian fans around the world with showtime showjumping, memorable moments and a few surprises. However, two masters of the sport managed to keep their positions at the top of the leaderboard after after Round 1 of the second competition. Julien Epaillard (FRA) leads the pack while Scott Brash (GBR) is right in his heels.
Separating Contenders from Pretenders
Another demanding but fair course designed by Dutchman Louis Konickx (NED) separated contenders from pretenders in the pursuit of individual gold and glory.
A foot-perfect run by Jerome Guery (BEL) & Quel Homme de Hus put them in contention for the individual title, sitting in eighth place just 2.35 penalty-points behind the leaders. One rail down by Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) & Katanga vh Dingeshof and four penalty-points added to their score resulted in nineteenth place with a total of 4.97 penalty-points.
Marcus Ehning (GER) & Stargold were flawless, keeping them much alive in ninth place with 2.40 penalty-points. Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) & Beauville Z can’t be counted out in the race either, posting another fault-free performance for a score of 1.96 penalty-points and seventh place.
Great Britain have two pairs in the hunt since Ben Maher (GBR) & Faltic HB and Scott Brash (GBR) & Hello Jefferson were at their very best for clean performances. Brash is the second best rider in the individual competition so far, only 0.23 points behind Epaillard. Ben is in sixth place on a score of 1.72 points.
Team Canada has the best female rider in the world and Tiffany Foster (CAN) once again delivered with Figor. Foster’s second amazing performance resulted in her holding fifth in fifth place with 0.95 penalty-points.
Swedes Continue to Amaze
Clean efforts by Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) & King Edward, Jens Fredricson (SWE) & Markan Cosmopolit and Peder Fredricson (SWE) & H&M All In put three Swedish combinations within the top ten in the individual standings. Peder and Henrik lie in third and fourth place, respectively with scores of 0.40 and 0.58. Peder’s brother, Jens Fredricson (SWE) had another fantastic run, putting him in tenth place with a total of 2.71 penalty-points.
Team France has one combination within striking distance as Simon Delestre (FRA) and Cayman Jolly Jumper solified their participation after two performances, having registered 2.93 penalty-points so far to sit in eleventh place.
Despite being one of the favorites, Martin Fuchs‘ (SUI) round aboard Leone Jei resulted in a pole down, dropping the duo to 15th place.
Having lived up to his reputation on day one of the individual championship, Julien Epaillard (FRA) is still perfect! Despite being only10 years old, Caracole de La Roque showed no signs of inexperience in the reins of the Flying Frenchman, keeping his score still at zero.
This is what Epaillard had to say about his horse: “he’s busy and energetic and he’s lovely. He was tricky to start with because he has such a busy brain and he’s strong-minded so he always thinks he knows best! It has taken time to make a partnership – Nick (Skelton, Rio Olympic champion) said he’s an unbelievable horse when he saw him – we’ve had to work to get the partnership right and thankfully it’s come through now. They (horses) are soulmates at the end of the day who we spend most of our time with, I spend more time with them than my family!”
He decided to bring this horse to Herning because “he was just amazing in Aachen and it feels like he can do anything right now so I was pretty confident coming here that he’s in good shape. But to keep all the poles up every day within the time allowed is demanding – you need a bit of luck along the way as well.”
Standings – FEI World Individual Jumping Championship – Individual Standings after Round 1 of the Second Competition
1) Julien Epaillard (FRA) & Caracole de La Roque – 0 / 0 = 0
2) Scott Brash (GBR) & Hello Jefferson – 0.23 / 0 = 0.23
3) Peder Fredricson (SWE) & H&M All In – 0.40 / 0 = 0.40
Text: Jumper News with interview insert from Press Release by Louise Parkes for FEI – Fédération Equestre Internationale
Photos: © FEI / Leanjo de Koster
Categories: English, Jumper News France
