Simone Blum claims historic jumping gold at World Equestrian Games
German becomes first female WEG individual jumping champion on board DSP Alice in Tryon, North Carolina.
Equestrian
Simone Blum has become the first woman to win individual jumping gold at the World Equestrian Games.
The rising star and her mount DSP Alice had five clear rounds to claim Germany's first win in the event since 1982.
Blum created World Equestrian Games history, emulating Canada's Gail Greenough who was the first woman to win the individual event when the World Championships were held separately in 1986.
"This was a perfect day. Alice jumped great for the whole week, she had no fault in five rounds of competition, she was unbelievable!" - Simone Blum to fei.org
Nerves Of Steel
29-year-old Blum only appeared on the international scene two years ago. However, the sport runs in the family.
Her father Jurgen Blum was an eventing rider who participated at Atlanta 1996, and is a former European bronze medallist.
Perhaps that helped her on the final day of the Individual Jumping competition, which she had led from the start.
Her 11-year-old mare, DSP Alice, can be very nervous while Blum is known for her calmness under pressure.
Together they produced a clear final round with just a one-point time penalty, to clinch the win with a total score of 2.47 points.
Switzerland claimed the other two podium places with Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games gold medallist Martin Fuchs finishing ahead of London 2012 Olympic champion Steve Guerdat.
"This was a perfect day. Alice jumped great for the whole week, she had no fault in five rounds of competition, she was unbelievable!" - Simone Blum to fei.org
Alice in Wonderland
The individual title is a great way to cap off Blum and Alice's World Equestrian Games debut.
Earlier they had secured bronze in the Team Jumping event for Germany alongside Laura Klaphake and Maurice Tebbel.
Blum is known to reward Alice with a peeled mango for every successful performance, reportedly earning 10 after team bronze.
Who knows how many she will receive for gold!