After a scary fall in Wednesday's first round of the Agria FEI Jumping World Championship, Kevin Staut made an impressive comeback for the French team on Thursday to anchor them with a clear round aboard Scuderia 1918 Viking d’la Rousserie. With three clear rounds – from Simon Delestre, Julien Epaillard, and Staut – the French kept their silver position ahead of tonight's team final.
"For me, with my experience from previous championships, knowing that can happen, coming back focused and strong can help your horse," Staut said. "Honestly, I rode many top horses in my career; but this type like Viking – he is such a strong character coming back like nothing happened yesterday, answering every single ask from me. He is so clever, and to be clever is one thing, but to use this and give his best, to produce rounds like today, it is really emotional for me to have a horse that can do this. I am for sure super happy for the whole team, we are in good position for tomorrow even if it is a lot of work to do again. And to be serious, for me and all the people around me, my owners and my groom Ludovic, who I think had the worst night ever, now we are back and it is also the magic of our sport to be the last one day and to come back and produce something great the next – so I am happy.”
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
Jos Verlooy had the worst thinkable day at work when Igor slammed on the breaks in the triple combination, unseating his rider. With his fall and elimination, Belgium had to count in four faults from both Nicola Philippaerts and Gregory Wathelet, which meant they dropped from third to fifth on the overnight standings.
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