The German rider piloted the magnificent United Touch S to seal the deal in the Longines FEI Jumping European Championship.
Spain
Portugal will be first to go in Round 1 as 89 entries from 23 nations compete; several horses are owned by Canadian interests.
Four horses have tested positive to EHV-1 in the same region of southern Europe that was stricken with the virus two years ago.
The outbreak of the neurological form of this highly-contagious disease resulted in the deaths of 18 horses and cases in 10 countries.
The fifth leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup 2021/2022 Western European League saw just 7 advance to the jumpoff in Spain.
Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA and Uzbekistan will compete.
The decision took into account the Covid situation both in Spain and internationally, as well as uncertainties about international travel.
UAE riders claimed individual gold and silver at the Longines FEI Endurance World Championships in Pisa, Italy.
Annika Axelsson (SWE) has published a long letter to the FEI citing management mistakes when her horse fell ill on the Spanish Sunshine Tour.
FEI and Spanish authorities coordinate a pan-European effort to contain the outbreak which has shut down the Valencia show jumping tour.
