Michael Jung, the current European and Olympic champion, and FEI world number one, added another prestigious title to his CV by securing the top spot on the ERM podium at Leg 4 of the Event Rider Masters at Haras de Jardy. This was the first time he had competed in an ERM competition.
Riding the exciting nine-year-old Star Connection, Michael added just 2.8 cross-country time penalties to his combined dressage and show jumping mark and finished on 38.5. A mere 0.4pen separated him from Frenchman Karim Florent Laghouag on Entebbe de Hus, whose score was 38.9.
“Star Connection is not the most experienced horse at this level, but he answered all the questions out there today and was brilliant,” says Michael.
Britain’s Oliver Townend kicked off his 2017 ERM campaign with third place on Cooley Master Class and a score of 39.1.
Sir Mark Todd was the best-placed New Zealander, finishing eighth on NZB Campino with 44, after five faults in the show jumping but a clear cross-country under the time.
Tim Price was 15th on Ascona M with 59.4, collecting four show jumping faults and 7.2 time penalties across country.
The overnight dressage leaders, Bettina Hoy and Seigneur Medicott, finished fifth after a rail and five time penalties in the show jumping and 0.8 cross-country.
Thirteen combinations jumped clear and within the time across country, but only three managed to show jump clear inside the time, which meant that this phase was particularly influential.
