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.
Germany's Marcus Ehning delivered the first clear of the class with Stargold, helping his team climb up to sit third overnight ahead of the final.
A well deserved treat for Beth Underhill's only 9-year-old Nikka vd Bisschop, clear for the Canadian team that with strong performances from all their four riders qualified for today's final.
As pathfinders for the Swedish team, Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward jumped a beautiful clear. They lead the way on the team standings, and sit fourth individually.
Got to love Simon Delestre's Cayman Jolly Jumper!
A cuddle for Katanga vh Dingeshof from Tiffany Letallec.
Pius Schwizer came back strong for Switzerland to jump a fantastic clear round with Vancouver de Lanlore, the only one of the Swiss riders to do so. They sit 7th ahead of the final, open to the ten best teams.
Contagious jumped a super clear for Team USA. Although the Americans will be missing out on the team final, Mclain Ward now sits 12th on the individual standings.
It did not go according to plan for everyone... Francesca Ciriesi parted ways with Cape Coral at jump no. seven.
Billy Raymont's Black Jack Ixe.
Michel Sorg, Edouard Schmitz and Steve Guerdat watching from the sideline.
China's Ella Yunjing Wang had all the reason to smile as she jumped a beautiful clear with the lovely Quidamia D.
Faltic HB jumped a fantastic clear for Great Britain, and although the team is in 6th position with 14.66 penalties, he and Ben Maher are now 6th individually with a small score of 1.72.
The reaction on the Swedish team when a pole on the last oxer fell for Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Indiana...
Thumbs up from Ioli Mytilineou after a clear round with L'Artiste de Toxandra.
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.
Martin Fuchs jumping the jumps with Edouard Schmitz.
It was not USA's day, and the reigning World Champions from Tryon did not make the cut to today's final as they finished 11th.
Lots of love for Maikel van der Vleuten's Beauville Z N.O.P. after a clear round for the Dutch team, that now sits 4th on the standings.
Hugs and kisses for Lebanon's Roger Chammas and Humphrey G who delivered a fantastic round with only a time fault.
Clear for Brazil: Yuri Mansur and QH Alfons Santo Antonio helped his team to the final, and now sit 14th individually.
Reigning European Champions Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria did not disappoint and jumped clear, to help Germany climb up to bronze position overnight.
Tiffany Foster's face says it all: Clear again with Figor, into 5th individually and helping Canada qualify for the final.
Jens Fredricson also had good reason to smile when jumping another clear with Markan Cosmopolit for Sweden.
Best of the Irish: Cian O'Connor and C Vier helped their team to the final with a clear round and sit 17th individually.
These two have a partnership that is absolutely incredible.... Jerome Guery and Quel Homme de Hus were again clear for Belgium, and now sit 8th individually.
Nick Skelton watching USA's Brian Moggre.
The Dutch team helped Jur Vrieling and Long John Silver from the sideline....
...but they were perfectly bouncy on their own, to jump clear!
Hugs and smiles as Peder Fredricson and H&M All In jump another clear for Sweden.
Allan and Alva Svensson.
A big part of the Swedish success: Charlotte Söderström, the owner of H&M All In and H&M Indiana.
Mariella Offner gives Elektric Blue P some well deserved TLC after a clear round.
Scuderia 1918 Viking d'la Rousserie, Kevin Staut and Henk Nooren.
All smiles on the French team as Kevin Staut came back strong in Thursday's round.
Mclain Ward looking slightly concerned as he watches the chances of a team final disappear.
Team work makes the dream work: Spain's Eduardo Alvarez Aznar, Bentley de Sury and Joanna Maria Olszewska.
Great Britain's Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson delivered a breathtaking clear round, to keep hold of their silver position on the individual standing.
Big smiles for the Brits.
Follow the leader... The team final kicks off at 9 PM tonight. Not only will the team medals be decided, there are also five tickets for the Olympics in Paris to play for.
Then