Rudi Kronsteiner and Giuseppe Prevosti lead after team competition - For the second time at the FEI European Championships, the national anthem of Italy was played: after winning team gold in the Junior division, Italy becam European Champion in the senior division as well with a total score of 662.5 points. Germany claimed the silver medal (656.5) with Austria winning bronze (652.5). France placed fourth (647), Belgium fifth (640), Switzerland sixth (632.5).

The first great applause from the audience came for Rieky Young (NED) and her Brady Chex. The two were an individual for the Netherlands and scored a superb 219,5 – a safe place for the individual final. Then two riders top scored a 223: Italian Giuseppe Prevosti riding  Enzo Gola’s Skeets Flamin and Austrian Rudi Kronsteiner riding  Ima Mega Antares (owner Karin & Ruggero Prevedel, ITA). With this stallion, Rudi  Kronsteiner was  2009 Reserve European Champion in individual ranking. Both riders gave a brilliant presentation with beautiful spins and circles and dramatic slides.

Stefano Angelucci rode AB Captain Badger to the second highest score of the competition 221 . Together with Christian Dalla Pozza‘s 218.5 astride Whiz Ruf Peppy this meant a total of  662.5 for Italy. Massimiliano Canu and Hesa Mega Whiz earned a 215.5, which means four Italian riders in the individual final.

 „I knew we have a good team,“ said Chef d’Equipe Roberto Cuoghi. „but I also knew that Germany and Austria had brought  fine horses as well. So we simply went on and tried to do our best. And we were lucky. A big thank you to Helmut Schulz for his hospitality and great organization. Everybody is so friendly here, and the facility is great. “

Oliver Wehnes and Lil Ruf Bandit (owner Nico Hörmann) scored a 215.5 for Germany. Sylvia Rzepka riding  Doctor Zip Nic (owner Zip Nic Partnership) and Nico Hörmann riding  Smart Spookster (owner Spookster Syndicate)  added a 220.5 each after two beautiful rides – the thirdbest score of the EC. This meant silver for Germany. Christina Tolksdorf and Ruf Lil Martha, who replaced Steffen Breug and for whom it was her first senior EC competition, scored a 203.5.

Germany’s team trainer Kay Wienrich said: „What can I say – it was fantastic. Our riders were even better than we had hoped. Oliver has got the horse for only 4 weeks, and it was his first EC. He was great!  And Sylvia and Nico did a superb job. As did our youngest Christina.“

Austria only missed the silver medal ‚by inches‘. Markus Morawitz and Dun It With Jerry had tob e content with a 213.5 and will try better in the Consolation Run. Dennis Schulz‘ Smart Rattle Snake (owner Dainmasa Horses) slipped during the fast circle and cross fired shortly.

This resulted in a score of  215. And Martin Muhlstatter and Dun It On The QT (owner Katja Jungfer) could not live up to their usual form either. It was obvious that Martin has got the horse since yesterday, and both are not yet used to each other.  But Martin and Dennis will be in the individual final for sure. 

Chef d’Equipe Helmut Schulz: „We would have loved to win silver, but the Germans were better and deserved it. We had one great ride, and some bad luck with the others, but I’m glad about the medal all the same. And we still got the individual final.