Show jumping: Germany missed World Championships medal after a fall

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Show jumper André Thieme, horse Chakaria: The fall didn't end well for humans and animals, but it cost Thieme's team a medal

Photo: Stefan Lafrentz / IMAGO

André Thieme tore his hair and was stunned.

After the European champion fell, the German show jumping team missed a medal at the World Championships in Denmark.

"It's probably the most embarrassing moment of my life because I know who was watching," said the show jumper.

The European champion retired after the fall with Chakaria.

Christian Ahlmann from Marl was the last rider to secure fifth place with his horse Dominator in the team of national coach Otto Becker in Herning and thus the Olympic qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Thieme had to leave the course on foot

Gold went to Sweden in front of around 10,000 spectators in the converted FC Midtjylland football stadium.

"It's just a shame for the team," said Thieme about his fall from his horse.

'I'm disappointed in myself.

I landed on the ground and didn't know what happened.' But at least nothing happened to the horse.

"The mare just blew up and made an abnormal jump that got my ass kicked," he described the day's scene.

“And all of a sudden it happened, all of a sudden she was gone.” Thieme had to leave the course on foot.

"It can't be explained," commented the rider, who last year became the celebrated European Champion in Riesenbeck, Westphalia.

"I just missed, that's it." He added laconically.

"The horse jumped too well."

"It's just sad because I wanted to do something for the team," said Thieme.

Even without the fall, he could have afforded a knockdown and the team would have taken bronze.

Sweden won ahead of the Netherlands and Great Britain.

"The dreams ended abruptly," said national coach Otto Becker: "That's bitter."

Most recently, there was bronze four years ago at the title fights in Tryon, North Carolina.

The last of the three gold medals was won by Germany in Lexington/Kentucky in 2010, at the first World Cup with Becker as national coach.

There is another chance for a medal on Sunday.

The individual world champion will be determined in two further rounds.

If the leaders had the same number of points, there would be a jump-off.

The previously customary final with a change of horses has been abolished.

Most recently, four years ago, Simone Blum from Zolling in Bavaria won gold with Alice in the USA.

ara/dpa