Thursday, 20 August 2015 EC Aachen 2015

Again Gerco and ‘Cognac’ remain penalty-free!

Just as expected, today, the second evaluation test for the show-jumping champs at the European Championships in Aachen, was not only slightly but considerably more difficult than the opening test. The team responsible for the course has indeed constructed a fair but quite demanding itinerary. On a course of 600 metres today too there are 13 obstacles with 16 jumps, which, however, were up to 1.60 metres high. And at the end a mighty oxer-oxer combination demanded one last gathering of all strength.

GLOCK's Cognac Champblanc had a relaxed day until it was his turn as he was on the starting list scheduled for the afternoon amongst the best countries. GLOCK groom Lulu took him on a walk, to the field to have some grass with Gerco joining them. He had a close look at his beautiful white horse, his hand gliding along ‘Cognac’s’ neck and back. Gerco laughed about ‘Cognac’ indicating that he was looking for carrots. The two walked back to the stables when other horses and riders already entered the main arena, ‘Cognac’ still had time for a nap.

The entire stadium cheered the last riders. Gerco and Cognac had now come down from the large warm-up area to the smaller one directly outside the arena. Only a few minutes and then they would go in. GLOCK’s Cognac Champblanc calmly waits at the gate, which would open shortly opening the way to the famous green grounds. The Dutch team watches the performance of the GLOCK duo from the ‘Kiss-and-cry-area’ with utmost attention whilst Lulu trembles in the grand stands. She prefers to keep her emotions to herself, hoping the TV cameras won’t find her. Gerco and ‘Cognac’ are on the last line toward last oxer-oxer combination. The white horse jumps off and literally flies into the finish. Zero!

The next penalty-free round and the audience cheers enthusiastically. With three penalty-free rounds by Jeroen Dubbeldam, Jur Vrieling and Gerco, as well as just one error today by Maikel van der Vleuten, meanwhile the Dutch team was able to advance from the fifth to the second intermediate place and finds itself amongst the best ten in the finale.

The EC show-jumping programme continues:

August 20th, 2015 - 14:10 pm
2nd qualification individual + 1st qualification team (with jump-off)

August 21st, 2015 - 16:50 pm
Team Final - Top 10 (with jump-off)

August 22nd, 2015 - 15:50 pm
Individual Final - Round 1 - Top 25

August 23rd, 2015 - 17:20 pm
Individual Final - Round 2 - top 25

> lists of riders and horses
> Start and results lists
> Livestream
> www.aachen2015.de