Germany’s Michael Jung won Rolex Kentucky Horse Trials this afternoon (Sunday 26 April), showjumping clear on FischerRocana FST to move up from third after yesterday’s cross-country.
The world silver medallist tapped fence eight, a grey upright on a curving line from the treble, but nothing fell.
Michael Jung triumphs at Rolex Kentucky Horse Trials riding Fischerrocana FST
Michael had two fences down — the third part of the treble at 7c, plus the upright at fence 10 — on his overnight runner-up, La Biosthetique-Sam FBW to drop to third with the Olympic champion.
“I was a bit too fast in the combination with Sam — my first horse [FischerRocana FST] needs more gallop and speed over a fence and I maybe did the same on Sam. I wasn’t as concentrated on him as when I am only riding him in a competition and that was my mistake,” said Michael.
New Zealand’s Tim Price led going into this phase, but had the upright at fence 10 — the Rolex Grand Slam fence — down with Wesko. He finished second.
Britain’s top pair, William Fox-Pitt and Nicola Wilson, excelled themselves today with two clears.
Catherine Witt’s Bay My Hero looked very secure to hold fourth spot for William (see video interview top).
Nicola also jumped a lovely round on her parents Mary and Barry Tweddle’s Annie Clover, putting behind her the difficult time they had in the showjumping at the World Equestrian Games, when Annie stopped at the final fence.
Nicola’s other ride, Jo and James Lambert’s Watermill Vision finished 26th after eight faults. He had down fence 10 and also the last, the oxer at 13.
US-based Brit James Alliston and Parker lowered the same two fences as Watermill Vision to finish 15th.
Francis Whittington did not compete today, having withdrawn Easy Target before this morning’s trot-up.
Phillip Dutton finished best of the home side in fifth, up from ninth overnight, with a clear on Fernhill Cubalawn. Will Coleman was sixth on OBOS O’Reilly, up from eighth with a single mistake at fence five, and Boyd Martin dropped one place to seventh with eight faults at the first and last parts of the treble at seven on Master Frisky. Phillip was also ninth on Fernhill Fugitive.
Australia’s Bill Levett rounded out the top 10 with Improvise, who sadly had 12 faults today at the second two elements of the treble and the oxer at fence 11.
Full report from Kentucky in H&H magazine this week, out Thursday, 30 April.
