It’s been a solid start for the Kiwi jumpers at the FEI World Championships in Aachen Germany. Luke Dee aboard Gangster WW and Sophie Scott on Normandy GHP both clocked very respectable clear rounds. Uma O’Neill and Luigi d’Eclipse had a rail down but were fast, with Katie Laurie and Django II dropping two but finishing strongly.

The 145-strong field certainly got a shake-up from the challenging Frank Rothenberger-designed course. While there were 10 eliminations and two retirements, the whole field can start tomorrow’s round but it will be another step up from today’s course. New Zealand is sitting in 14th spot of the 31 teams.

Chef d’equipe Tom Tarver was very pleased with the efforts of all four riders. “I think it was very positive to get off to a good start in having Luke going out and laying a strong foundation,” said Tom. “It allowed the team to feel good. Sophie did a courageous round and really fought for the team. Uma was solid but a bit unlucky while Katie really did finish strongly.”

He felt overall it had been a solid start but there is still plenty of jumping to come. “Everyone in our team is doing what they need to do to be a good team player – that’s what we want. We all need to keep our feet on the ground, round by round, and just keep it real. We need good performances tomorrow to go through to the final.” From tomorrow’s round, the top 60 individuals and 10 best teams will progress to the next day.

Luke was chuffed with his round. “It’s the best way to start. I was hopeful I would be within four penalties of the leader at the end of the class,” he said. “Gangster feels unbelievable and is jumping incredibly and just when you think he has peaked, he gives that little bit extra. I am not sure where the ceiling is for Gangster yet but I expect a few more good rounds from him this week.”

Sophie was “completely over the moon” with the efforts of her big chestnut. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” she said. “My round was far from perfect . . .there were a few tricky lines and with the ground being a bit softer, it made for tough jumping out there.”

Uma was happy that her round with Luigi d’Eclipse had been fast enough to keep them in a good position for the team, despite the four faults. “I thought the track today suited Luigi well,” she said. “I was able to start him in a really good rhythm and work on maintaining the rhythm. He feels incredible.”

Katie said it was a great speed course that called for some risk taking. She and Django II had two rails down. “I am disappointed but happy with him and hopefully he can pull it out for the team tomorrow,” she said. “It is pretty greasy out there but he finished the course really good and really happy so that brings him in well tomorrow.”

New Zealand needs to finish in the top eight teams, excluding the United States, to get its team qualification for the Los Angeles Olympic Games. Competition gets underway at 9am (GER time) – 7pm (NZ time).

Each rider’s time and faults are converted into points, with the leading rider on zero points.
🌿Luke Dee and Gangster WW – 23rd clear, 74.66 secs = 2.03 penalty points
🌿Uma O’Neill and Luigi d’Eclipse – 56th 4f, 79.19 secs = 4.30 penalty points
🌿Sophie Scott and Normandy GHP – clear, 79.34 secs = 4.37 penalty points
🌿Katie Laurie and Django II – 8f, 84.67 secs = 7.04 penalty points

Team standings (best three scores to count)
🥇 Germany 3.48 penalty points
🥈 Belgium 3.69 penalty points
🥉 United States 4.85 penalty points
14th New Zealand 10.70 penalty points

CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS & STARTLISTS

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by Libby Law/ESNZ

NZ Supporters. FEI Jumping World Championship – First Competition Team & Individual Qualifier | Turkish Airlines-Prize. Aachen, Germany. Wednesday 19 August 2026. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography