Who Jumped it Best: That Frightening First Water at the FEI European Championships

Saturday’s cross-country challenge at the FEI European Eventing Championships didn’t boil down to style, really: with achingly tough conditions and a seriously challenging championship track, it was all about two things: horsemanship, and function. Throughout the day, we were delighted to watch riders put their horses first, taking a foot off the gas and letting their mounts fill their lungs without being chased around the course. We also saw horses and riders alike dig deep and find that classic cross-country grit and gumption that allows you to stay balanced, safe, and effective throughout all sorts of hitches and wobbles.

And so our short and sweet WJIB? today looks at those qualities, rather than, say, a perfect line from elbow to bit. The fence we’re looking at today is the first water complex at 6ABC and 7 — and, specifically, that final element. At this point, horses and riders alike had had a bit of a slap ’round the face from the course; the footing in the very early stages was arguably the worst of the day, though the warm-up arena’s ground hadn’t been terrible, so as they jumped the first couple of fences, riders had to be extra conscious of keeping their horses’ confidence up through the dishearteningly heavy going. As they approached this first water, they did so knowing they were coming to one of the toughest questions on course — but the huge throngs of enthusiastic crowds picked them up and carried them through, and many riders found making it to the other side of this question an enormous confidence boost, both for themselves and the horses.

First, they popped a large table atop a hill, before cantering down to a large drop, followed swiftly by a brush-topped wall into the water with a huge drop on the landing side. Then, they had to gather up the knitting to meet this fence, a big, brush-topped skinny in the water, on a stiff left-handed turn. After that, they could gallop freely on out of the water.

With all that in mind, take a look at this selection of horses and riders. They’re jumping the final element – so which do you think has brought the most energy and efficiency through the question with them? Who’s showing the best balance, and the most confidence? Which pair, to you, gives the impression of security in the midst of a tricky question on an enormously tough course? Cast your eye over them, and then scroll down to cast your vote!