The winning team - Germany, Chef d'Equipe Hans Melzer, Jorg Kurbel, Beeke Jankowski,Falk-Filip-Finn Westerich and Andreas Dibowski.
Photo: Leszek Wojcik/FEI
Germany came in to the final phase of the FEI Nations Cup in Strzegom, Poland as the overnight leader in both the CICO3* team and individual classes and proved unstoppable, staying on top in both. Kai Rüder riding Colani Sunrise was the individual winner of the CICO3* and he was joined on the podium by his compatriots with Andreas Dibowski riding FRH Butts Avedon in second place and Falk-Filip-Finn Westerich riding FBW Gina K in third
Kai, who also he also took the win and fourth place in the CIC2*, was not a part of the FEI Nations Cup winning German team but they still finished a massive 68 points ahead of the British team and 70 points ahead of the Swedish team in third place on the podium.
Alexander Bragg and Redpath Ransom Photo: Leszek Wojcik/FEI
The star of the British team was Alexander Bragg riding Redpath Ransom who finished in fourth place on their Senior team debut. Alex made a massive move up from 22nd after the dressage thanks to the only double clear cross country round and followed it up with just one rail in the final show jumping phase which saw very few double clear rounds. Britain’s Frankie Reid-Warrilow on her team horse Dolley Whisper was one of those who produced a double clear on the final day, finishing in 18th place while Olivia Craddock on Billy Liffy finished in 22nd place
FRH Butts Avedon and Andreas Dibowski Photo: Leszek Wojcik/FEI
The other winners at Strzegom 2017 were:
CIC1* Janet Wiesner (GER)
The CIC1* winner Janet Wiesner had a baby daughter only seven weeks ago but still managed to beat the entire class and take an impressive win in the CIC1*.
CCI1* Miloslav Prihoda (CZE)
Miloslav started in fifth place after the dressage but a strong cross country pushed him into the lead where he stayed until the end
CIC2* Kai Rüder (GER)
CCI2* Sanna Siltakorpi (FIN)
Sanna’s win helped her Finnish team to qualify to the Europeans for the first time in 28 years so it will be back to Strzegom in August for the Finns
CCI3* Karin Donckers (BEL)
Karin had four horses in the CCI3*, taking the win on Fletcha van't Verahof
CICO3*
Individual Kai Rüder (GER)
CICO3* / Nations CUP Team GERMANY
FBW Gina K and Falk-Filip-Finn Westerich Photo: Leszek Wojcik/FEI