Mario Gandolfo (SUI) secured his first individual FEI World Singles gold medal at Le Pin au Haras amid tight competition. Crediting his 10-year-old mare Favela for their winning Marathon on Saturday, they also produced a foot perfect double clear Cones round on Sunday afternoon to keep the pressure on overnight leader Marion Vignaud (FRA).

Last to go, it looked as if gold would be Marion’s until she knocked the final oxer which added three to her score and meant a drop to silver by only 0.51. Stefan Ulrich (SUI) took bronze after a double clear Cones and a strong Marathon.

It was equally close in the team event, but France stayed in front by only 1.32 to retain gold ahead of Germany in silver and Switzerland in bronze, separated by a mere 0.84.

More to follow…