EUROPEAN SHOWJUMPING & DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Venue: Windsor Castle Date: 25-30 August
Coverage: Live on BBC Two, the red button and the BBC Sport website (UK only) Full coverage details
 Maher has impressed on his European debut at Windsor |
Great Britain had to settle for sixth place in the team event at the European Showjumping and Dressage championships after seeming on course for a medal. After a bright performance in the morning, Geoff Billington scored 13 faults, Tim Stockdale four, Ben Maher five and Peter Charles nine. Maher needed a clear round for the team to have any chance of a podium fashion, but fell just short. Switzerland came first, ahead of Italy and Germany. Before the competition, being staged at Windsor Castle, expectations of the British team were not high.  | 606: DEBATE |
They had a dismal Nations Cup campaign this year, only narrowly avoiding relegation on a technicality, and it is 20 years since Britain last won a European team gold medal. But European debutant Maher put on a fine display in the morning to raise hopes of home success, and he still remains a strong medal hope in the individual competition, which finishes on Sunday. "Everyone tried their best - we were one fence from a medal," said the 26-year-old. "Tim was unlucky in his second round, and there were a couple of time faults here and there during what were two very big courses." Maher lies second in the standings in the individual event, but refused to get too carried away at this stage. "There is a long way to go yet, but I am in the right position going into the last day," he said. "I am within a couple of points (of the lead), and it is important now we've got a day off on Saturday. The courses take a lot out of the horses."
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