WEG showjumping: Jeroen Dubbeldam is new world champion

Jeroen Dubbeldam has been crowned Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games individual jumping gold medallist in Normandy.

The Dutchman took gold as the only rider to jump four clear rounds in the unique horse-swapping final. Jeroen punched the air in delight after producing some masterful rounds on his rivals’ mounts and was aboard the great stallion Casall Ask when the title was won.

This was dual gold for Jeroen, who was also part of the Dutch squad who won the team championship on Friday.

“The crowd was cheering for Patrice [Delaveau], which I understand, but compliments to all of them for supporting us all so well,” said Jeroen, Olympic gold medallist in Sydney 2000.

France’s Patrice Delaveau collected the silver medal as a result of a single time-fault with Casall Ask, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson’s great stallion, in an otherwise faultless afternoon of high-pressure jumping.

Olympic gold medallist Beezie Madden (USA) finished with bronze having jumped two clears and two four-fault rounds and the Swedish rider finished just off the podium in fourth.

Don’t miss next week’s Horse & Hound, out 11 September,  for the full report and reaction to the championships.

Jennifer Donald

H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.