AACHEN, Germany--The U.S.Jumping team moved up to second in Team Jumping with three clean rounds in Round One on Thursday, Aug. 20 following the Speed class Wednesday at the World Championship.

Laura Kraut on Baloutinue (Photo by Allen MacMillan)Germany, with all four team members, Marcus Ehning, Sophie Hinners, Daniel Deusser and Richie Vogel, going clean, leads on 3.48 faults, the U.S. is second on 4.85, and Belgium and Italy are tied for third on 7.69.

The top 10 teams qualified for Friday's final round under the lights.

Great Britain is fifth on 8.98, France is sixth on 8.99, Sweden, with four clean rounds, moved up to seventh on 9.64, Switzerland, with three clean rounds, moved up to eighth on 10.49, Denmark is ninth on 11.57, and Ireland just squeaked in with 11.69 faults.

 

“SO FAR, so good,” German Chef d’Equipe Otto Becker said. “All four horses jumped very, very well. But as we always say, the other nations are very close, so you’d better have no faults.”

Katherine Dinan on Out of the Blue SCF (Photo by Allen MacMillan)"Sensational," said chef d'equipe Robert Ridland. "Three clean rounds in a row, all three riders were fantastic."

Laura Kraut on Baloutinue was clean, followed by Katie Dinan on Out of the Blue SCF and Lillie Keenan on Fasther, while McLain Ward had four faults on High Star Hero.

"I think Baloutinue is jumping better than ever," said Ridland. "Katie made an incredible comeback, and Lillie pulled one off. She fought her way through a clean round."

"I'm just thrilled," said Kraut. "Baloutinue is just a horse of a lifetime. He didn't know he was going to the World Championship. He was my reserve horse, but he came in and has been just unbelievable."

"My round felt great," said Kraut. "I typically add strides with him. Not many people were doing what I did,  but he does it so well. He was foot perfect."

"I wasn't nervous before the round but apprehensive," she said. "I've been in this sport for so long that you know just what can go wrong, So you're trying not to focus on that but instead trying to focus on how to make it correctly."

Lillie Keenan on Fasther (Photo by Allen MacMillan)"Yesterday was not good," said Dinan, who had two rails down in the Speed. "I made riding mistakes. I'm so happy I could come back today and have a clean round for the U.S."

"Yesterday, I know what my mistake was," she said. "So I had to focus on today, make a plan, and ride her like I know I can."

"My horse is phenomenal," said Dinan. "After the first two fences, she was right there with me. I just had to give her the guidance she needs, We were both fighting for a clean round."

"Fasther jumped fantastic for me," said Keenan. "But he definitely challenged me in places."

Keenan said she knew today would be difficult because riding Fasther after a speed round can be challenging,

"I had to be a little creative and trust the partnership." she said."After the combination, I had planned to do seven, but I did six instead. When he jumped out of the combination, he gave me such a big move that I had to move up a stride, and then I didn't have such rideability."

McLain Ward on High Star Hero (Photo by Allen MacMillan)"He knows big moments, I can feel that in him," said Keenan. "He reminded me of how special he is in every way, he's just the best."

"Any time you get to ride for your country, it''s an incredible feeling and opportunity." said Keenan.

Individually, Scott Brash of GreatBritain on Hello Mango, moved into first place after another clear round to remain on 0.80 penalties.

Sophie Hinners of Germany is second with Iron Dames Singclair on 0.84, while Steve Guerdat of Switzerland, riding Dynamix de Belheme, and Daniel Deusser  of Germany on Otello de Guldenboom, share third on 0.86.

Kraut is sixth on 1.06, Keenan is ninth on 1.17, and Ward is 56th on 6.62.

I’m delighted with Mango. I thought she jumped incredible,” Brash said. “She felt a little bit more tense in the warm-up today because there was more atmosphere, but when she went in the ring she was absolutely fantastic.”

The team final is tomorrow, Friday, at 2:15 and can be seen on clipMyHorse.