Germany’s Simone Blum celebrates winning the Bank of America individual jumping title at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018 with DSP Alice. | Photo: FEI/Martin Dokoupil

Germany’s Simone Blum etched her name into the record books when she became the first woman in the 28-year history of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018, and only the second female athlete in the 65-year history of the World Jumping Championships to take the individual title when coming out on top in the Bank of America championship at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, in Mill Spring, North Carolina, today.

In a finale that kept spectators on the edges of their seats she produced two more fantastic clear rounds with the extraordinary mare, DSP Alice, to put the result beyond doubt. And it was a super day for the Swiss when Martin Fuchs (26) claimed silver with Clooney and Steve Guerdat (36) and Bianca bagged the bronze.

“This was a perfect day” said 29-year-old Blum. “Alice jumped great for the whole week, she had no fault in five rounds of competition, she was unbelievable. And she’s so careful (and) she has the biggest heart and I think this week she knew that she could win the hearts of all of the sport. She really wanted this win today