German riders seem to love Spruce Meadows and why not? That country won the first BMO Nations’ Cup in 1977 and has captured nine titles since 1998. On Saturday, Team Germany’s latest triumph came as the squad collected just five faults over two rounds on the penultimate day of the 2024 Spruce Meadows Masters tournament. “My history is 35 years; this is something special,” said Germany’s chef d’equipe Otto Becker, who experienced success at the venue in his own riding days.
“Aachen is special for us, the home country, but also Spruce Meadows and that’s why we have this top team here. All the good riders want to come here. Today the conditions and the crowd was fantastic.
It’s special to compete here and to win here. “I love gold medals,” he smiled, clutching the one around his neck, “and I’m really happy to have this here.” Team Germany comprised of Andre Thieme, Jorne Sprehe, Daniel Deusser and Jana Wargers.
Thieme and Paule S had eight faults, Sprehe and Toys had 12, Deusser had a lone time fault on Gangster V/H Noddevelt and Wargers was the only double clear on the squad. As the last rider in the competition, she needed a clear or a time fault to win and she and Dorette Old did not disappoint. “I had a bit of pressure, but I have to say my horse jumped really good the first round and I had the feeling that she was ready for the second round,” said the 33-year-old.
“I’m very happy I was able to handle the pressure and gave it a clear round.” “I was nervous I must say,” conceded Becker. “Anything could happen.
We knew that we were in the top three when Jana rode. With one down we would be second, with two down we would be third. She did a beautiful round, well deserved.
” Team Ireland, the defending champions, finished a close second with eight total faults. They were led by young Michael Pender, who posted double clears. In third was Team Great Britain, with 10 faults.
Tim Gredley and Imperial HBF led that foursome with just two time faults. Team Canada, in fifth, had a double clear from Tiffany Foster and Figor. Thieme, 49, is the only rider who was also part of Germany’s last victory at the Meadows in 2018.
“I remember that still,” he related. “I was one of the double clears back then. I knew how great that feels.
So I really wanted to win before that audience. I was happy with my first round. The second round .
.. he had a lot of blood and thin nerves.
He got crazy between the rounds. He was nervous and I had two down. But thanks to this team, they made it up.
It was a real team effort and we had the right people in the end.” Thieme won the Rolex grand prix in Aachen, so that makes him the live contender for the bonus and among the favourites for Sunday’s CPKC International. “I am very thankful that I was able to take my second horse into the Nations’ Cup, they trusted me enough with my Paule,” he said.
“I was able to give my mare (DSP Chakaria) the day off today and the plan is to go perfect tomorrow. I don’t know if I did the right thing. I showed her in two classes and she felt even more careful on Thursday.
The only question is if she’s going to be too careful tomorrow. That’s my only little doubt. But I have to trust her now.
” In the first event in the International Ring on Saturday, the Suncor Winning Round, the German national anthem rang out for the first time on the day as Deusser and Bingo Ste Hermelle copped the win, bettering nine other combinations in the jump-off. Deusser is no stranger to the grand prix winner’s circle, as he snagged the Spruce Meadows leg of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2022 on Killer Queen VDM. “I’m a very happy person today,” said Deusser.
“Won two times. We had fantastic . It couldn’t be better.
She (Killer Queen) gave me a very good impression over the week. I’m pretty confident with her.” Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs is the defending champ, aboard the excellent Leone Jei.
“I feel less pressure than in previous years because it was such a big goal of mine to win here,” Fuchs told media members at the Rolex round table. “I feel like now we have won it, there is less pressure and we can try to enjoy just giving our best shot.”.
