Companhia das Lezirias, Porto Alto (POR), 16 September 2012 – Christoph Dieker (GER) has won the FEI World Single Driving Championships at Companhia das Lezirias, Portugal. Dieker came second in the dressage, stayed on silver after the marathon and only had one fault in the final obstacle driving competition. Bartolomiej Kwiatek (POL) was on gold before the cones, but sadly made too many faults and not only gave away individual gold, but also team bronze. Michael Barbey (SUI) won the silver individual medal; the bronze medal went to Wilbrord van den Broek (NED). The German team successfully defended their gold medal. The team silver was won by Switzerland and the bronze team medal was awarded to the Netherlands.

The wonderful site of Companhia das Lezirias has been hosting national driving competitions since 2000 and the Portuguese organizers were very proud to welcome 73 competitors from 20 nations at the very comfortable and well laid out competition site. Despite the hot weather conditions, the temperature on marathon day even raised to 40° Celsius, the competitions were run according to plan and all necessary precautions were taken to ensure the welfare of the participating horses. The competitors and spectators were treated to eight wonderful obstacles, designed by O-course designer Richard Nicoll (USA), who was amongst others also responsible for the courses at the first World Single Championships in Ebbs 1998 and in Astorp 2004. Nicoll received many compliments from the drivers for his challenging, but fair design.

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