WEG WHISPERS
SANDRA AUFFARTH was the only individual medallist from the last WEG riding, but the other two were both in attendance. Michael Jung, who was due to ride but had to drop out due to injury to FischerRocana FST, was aiding his Polish pupil, Pawel Spisak (22nd on Banderas).
William Fox-Pitt made a flying visit to help Japanese rider Kazuma Tomoto, who is based with him, before scorching off to ride at Blenheim.
Sandra retired across country with the stallion Viamant Du Matz, who is only nine and looks an impressive type for the future.
● STEFANO BRECCIAROLI, 62nd, also had the support of an A-list rider. The Italian’s ride Byrnesgrove First Diamond belongs to Andrew Nicholson, who rode the horse until last year and was with his old friend Stefano at WEG, and Andrew’s mother-in-law Mary Channer.
● SARA ALGOTSSON OSTHOLT was fifth after dressage, riding as an individual for Sweden on her London 2012 individual silver medallist Wega, who is now 17. Vets said the mare would not compete again two years ago, so this was an emotional top-level comeback.
Sadly, Wega had to be withdrawn before cross-country as she had struggled to drink on the flight and in quarantine and blood tests showed she was still not 100%.
● CHINA’S Alex Hua Tian described himself as a “happy dead last” after dressage with nine-year-old Ballytiglea Vivendi.
“He’s the toughest, most arrogant pain-in-the-arse fighter I’ve ever come across,” said Alex.
“He’s done the absolute minimum to come here and he’s such a worrier across country and such a fighter in the showjumping, it was a question whether to come. But we felt the investment in the experience was worthwhile; we would learn about him on the flight and his management.”
The pair moved up 38 places to finish 45th.