All Horses Pass Inspection at Aachen CICO3*

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We just wrapped up a quick 30-minute horse inspection here at Aachen CICO3*, where all horses presented to the ground jury of Martin Plewa (GER), Sue Baxter (GBR) and Sándor Fülöp (HUN) passed. Despite appearing on the official jog order, Mark Kyle unfortunately did not present Jemilla for Ireland, and Izzy Taylor did not present Allercombe Ellie for Great Britain. That sends 43 horses and riders in total forward to tomorrow’s dressage.

The trot up clipped along without any drama, aside from some of the horses presenting out of order, which always keeps the journalists holding their breath to see if someone is actually a no show or just freestyling with the jog order. Last year’s Aachen winners and current World Champions Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo went out of order by several horses but — phew! — they will return to defend their title.

Team USA looked sharp down the jog strip. Lauren Kieffer and Lynn Symansky wore navy blazers with white jeans and light brown boots. First-time team member Colleen Rutledge also wore the navy blazer but mixed things up with a smashing pair of cream slacks and nude heels that complimented Covert Rights’ light bay coat very nicely. Phillip Dutton rocked the navy blazer and khaki combo with Fernhill Cubalawn.

Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Holly Jacks-Smither has been battling a sprained ankle since she rolled it last week before flying over to Germany, but she looked very sound down the jog strip today in making her team debut for Canada. Canadian team therapist and vet Usha Knabe has been taking excellent care of the horses but also helping Holly with her ankle by taping it and using acupuncture.

Riddle Master looked very handsome in the late afternoon sun with Rebecca Howard at his side, and she and Holly both looked super in the same salmon pink top. Kathryn Robinson also looked great in red jeans and a flowing white blouse, going down the strip alongside Let It Bee with her game face on; she looks very ready for redemption following the Pan American Games. Go Canada!

Real talk for a minute: Who DOESN’T have a crush on Wesko? Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ring familiarization is underway now for the eventers. The big main stadium is pulsing as the the first half of the team final and individual qualifier for the 2015 European Dressage Championships wraps up, and then the parties will get pumping at the many bars and restaurants here on the grounds. Aachen is like Disney World for horse people.

I walked the cross country course just before the horse inspection started and will be bringing you those photos next. If you missed my update from this morning, which has an interview with Team USA Coach David O’Connor and lots of photos, click here to catch up. Keep checking back to this post for more photos from the horse inspection. Click over to Instagram to see more jog photos. Click here for ride times.

#Aachen2015: Website, Entries, Dressage Order of Go, Schedule, Aachen Preview, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram