Overnight leaders, Austria’s Jasmin Lindner and Lukas Wacha stole the show with an utterly flawless performance to yet another score over nine points with a mark of 9.035, which gave them a total two day score of 9.059 and the gold medal. The pair, who look as equally comfortable in each other’s arms as they do on the back of their horse, Bram, have been a partnership for four years having been on the same squad for three years previously.
The pair felt the pressure coming here as European Champions but lived up to the expectations of everyone and managed to enjoy it at the same time, “It was a great feeling to be in that arena and is amazing for us to be here in Normandy,” Jasmin said, “we are really happy with our performance and our medal but we are also very proud of our horse and our lunger Klaus [Haidacher] as they were both nervous today.”
German pair Pia Engelberty and Torben Jacobs clawed their way up to silver medal position with a foot perfect freestyle, after their performance yesterday left them in fifth place overnight, “we weren’t happy with that and we knew we could do better,” Pia said, “and that is what happened today, we worked hard and are very happy about moving up to second.” Torben showed immense strength and control throughout to lift and hold Pia unsupported, never once looking out of balance, whilst Pia’s arabesque lines were held beautifully at all times, whilst unaided as well as supported by Torben during their numerous lifts.
The bronze medal was won by Brits Joanne and Hannah Eccles, lunged by their father John on their 20 year old horse W H Bentley who they have owned for 15 years, this really was a family affair and success. “We are really pleased with our performance, we came here to enjoy it and put on a show,” Joanne said, “so to come away with a medal as a family makes it even better.” The pair’s theme and music was based on Joanne’s favourite Robert Frost Poem, Fire and Ice, “we put it to some music we love and felt we could bring it alive with a performance where we both take on one of the elements,” Joanne said.
