“That was pure joy,” exclaimed a visibly elated Michael Jung after completing the technically demanding Cross-Country Course at the Soers – aboard his trusted partner, fischerChipmunk FRH – having jumped clear and within the optimum time. He had plenty of reasons to be satisfied. First and foremost, the performance of his Hanoverian gelding – meanwhile 18 years old – who mastered the challenges along the course with energy, focus and an almost effortless ease. “My horse made it very easy for me today. He’s a bit like a fine wine – he just keeps getting better,” Jung said enthusiastically about the enduring competitive spirit of his four-legged partner, who is contesting the eighth championship of his career here in Aachen. Then, there was the extraordinary atmosphere: 35,000 spectators lined the course, creating a buzz that impressed even a seasoned professional like Jung. “There was so much going on. It was truly exceptional and gave us a huge boost.” The course itself also contributed to a thoroughly successful day. The 44-year-old set off in the field as the 82^nd participant to go and encountered conditions that could hardly have been better: “We had ideal circumstances; the ground was perfectly prepared.”

Following their immaculate cross-country round, the German duo remain on a score of 23.0 – a result that catapulted Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH to the top of the leaderboard, ahead of the final show jumping phase. However, top-class competition is close at their heels: The British pairs – Rosalind Canter with Lordships Graffalo (23.4), Laura Collett with London (23.6) and Tom McEwen with JL Dublin (26.6) – who won team gold for their country at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, are right behind him in the rankings. Great Britain thus holds a clear lead in the team standings, heading into the final with a comfortable lead, that is the equivalent to more than three fences down. The German team currently lies in second place with a score of 90.4 points, ahead of the Swiss team on 106.5 points.

The concluding phase, the show jumping, which will decide who wins the medals in both the individual and team competitions, will be staged in the Main Stadium tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Michael Jung has one single goal: “Not to make the same mistake as in 2022.” Back then, at the World Championships in Pratoni, he missed out on claiming the individual gold medal after knocking a rail at the last fence. “That’s obviously still on my mind,” Jung admitted frankly. “But we already had a few slip-ups in the dressage yesterday. I hope those are the only ones that happen this weekend.”