On the ground of facts: Rarely did the saying fit as well as it did with André Thieme. Almost a year ago, the show jumper celebrated individual gold at the European Championships, but at the World Championships he flew off his horse in a high arc and landed in the sand of the converted FC Midtjylland football stadium in front of around 10,000 spectators. “I landed on the ground and didn’t know what happened,” said the show jumper afterwards.
The departure from the saddle of Chakaria was uncomfortable for him. “It’s probably the most embarrassing moment in my life because I know who was watching,” said Thieme. After his gold coup at the European Championships, he was considered one of the World Cup favorites. After falling in the team competition, however, he went home without a medal before the individual world champion was determined in Herning on Sunday.
“You think you’ve seen everything,” commented national coach Otto Becker, adding: “But nothing like that.” Of all people, the European champion from Plau am See fell off his horse and was therefore out of the standings. After all, Christian Ahlmann from Marl was the last rider on Friday evening to secure fifth place with his horse Dominator and thus the Olympic qualification.
Thieme tore his hair and seemed stunned when he talked about his fall. “It’s just a shame for the team,” said the 47-year-old. “I’m disappointed in myself.” But at least nothing happened to the horse. The rider himself was at least physically unharmed.
“The mare just blew up and made an abnormal jump that hit me up the ass,” he said of the spectacular 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. I just missed, that’s it.”
“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 still have taken bronze. Sweden won clearly ahead of the Netherlands and Great Britain. “The dreams ended abruptly,” said national coach Otto Becker: “It’s bitter.”
Fifth place, Germany’s show jumpers last did so poorly in 1986. And no medal is to be expected in the singles either. Only two German couples will start at the World Cup final on Sunday. Ahlmann declared his renunciation, so that only Marcus Ehning from Borken rides Stargold and Jana Wargers, who lives in Belgium, rides Limbridge.
