Bitter tears after riding fall, but possible individual gold
The dream of Olympic-Gold in Versailles bursts early for the German Eventing Team. As the second German rider, Christoph Wahler falls with Carjatan in the arena and is eliminated. But in the Individual, Gold beckons, as Michael Jung puts on a stunning display with Chipmunk and takes the lead.
With tears in his eyes, Eventing rider Christoph Wahler left the gardens of Versailles on foot. His dream of an Olympic team medal was shattered by his fall with the horse Carjatan. But at least: In the Individual, Gold awaits, as Michael Jung showed a perfect round on the 5149 meter long Cross-Country course and took the lead.
When Jung finished his flawless ride with a radiant smile, Wahler had already been crying in the stables for a long time. For the 30-year-old professional, his Olympics were already over, while Jung could hope for his fourth Gold medal on Monday. As the leader, he could have two fault-free rounds in the Jumping phase.
Horse unharmed
Horse and rider remained unharmed at jump 16. "He didn't fall, he didn't get hurt," reported the 30-year-old rider from Bad Bevensen about his Wallach. "He's great," said Wahler. "That's the most important thing, that's what matters most to us." The groom Li Ann Kirchheim led Carjatan into the stables.
Wahler had fallen from his horse, Carjatan, just before the start, slipped once - and "hardly noticed it," as he reported. "The worst thing is mental," said the rider, who was part of the German Gold Team at the World Championships in Italy two years ago with Carjatan. Bundestrainer Peter Thomsen described the fall as "total disappointment".
The fallen rider was not to be comforted. "That it happened today, where it really matters, is of course insanely bitter," he said and struggled for composure. "It's been years of hard work that should have been crowned - but that's it now." Jung, on the other hand, could hope for another coronation. The three-time Olympian showed a brilliant ride in front of the 40,000 spectators on the royal park grounds.
Jung on course for Gold
Jung took the lead before the final Jumping on Monday. The 41-year-old professional rode flawlessly with Chipmunk. The leading British rider Laura Collett, on the other hand, was too slow with her horse London and incurred 0.8 penalty points, dropping to second place. "Unbelievable, it was just fun," Jung commented on his ride: "Chipmunk has such energy, gallops so dynamically forward."
The 41-year-old warned, however, about the impending Gold. "Everything can still go wrong. I'm not thinking about Gold yet," the rider emphasized: "I'm just happy and trying to enjoy it." On Monday, it goes on, Jung explained: "I'm in good shape and positive." His horse Chipmunk was still fresh and "tomorrow just as fit."
As the first rider, Julia Krajewski from Warendorf had put in a good performance. The 35-year-old, who won Individual Gold at the Olympics three years ago in Tokyo with Amande, remained fault-free with her new horse Nickel, incurring only penalty points for exceeding the time limit and was in 14th place.
Despite his disappointing performance at Versailles, Wahler still looked forward to the Individual event, as he had a chance to compete in the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris. The Olympic Games 2024 in Paris promised a fresh start for many athletes, including Wahler, who hoped to leave his past mistakes behind.
