Aachen Through the Lens, Part One: Just Loads and Loads of Photos, Y’All

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Talk is cheap, baby — we know what you all really want is some hot-off-the-memory-card photos of life at CHIO Aachen, officially the world’s coolest equestrian venue. Officially dubbed the World Equestrian Festival, this sprawling competition features the very best of showjumping, dressage, driving, vaulting, and, of course, eventing over the course of its nine-day run. Ordinarily, all this plays out in front of roughly 350,000 visitors, who pack the various stadiums and competition grounds, but this year, we’re looking at a slightly pared-back (though no less spectacular) Aachen, which was relocated from its usual June dates in order to allow for spectators.

Today’s dressage, which unfolded in the driving field, has kept us pretty busy snapping the action and chatting to riders — so here’s how it’s all played out, as seen through the EN lens.

Ireland’s Alex Donohoe and Kilcandra Bonnie Reward score a 38.9 in this morning’s dressage. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Germany’s Andreas Ostholt and Corvette 31 put a 30.4 on the board to take 14th place in the first phase. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

A face we’ve all made after dressage at least once, let’s be honest. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

2019 European bronze medallists Cathal Daniels and a spicy Rioghan Rua reroute from Tokyo to tackle Aachen. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

A 34.9 puts Cathal and ‘Red’ in 29th place after the first phase. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

France’s Gireg Le Coz beams after a personal best puts Aisprit de la Loge into the lead. At the end of the first phase, they were in third place. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

A star of the future? Comeback queen Ingrid Klimke pilots a high-octane Equistros Siena Just Do It. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Jesse Campbell and Amsterdam 21 trend towards the lead but ultimately finish dressage in tenth place on their score of 29.6. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Grooms and their horses soaked up the relative peacefulness of the morning. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

And shared kisses, too. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Pocket-sized but powerful: Jonelle Price’s McClaren takes up his place in the top twenty. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“You’re doing amazing, sweetie”: Tim Price takes on Kris Jenner duties as the Kiwi contingent watch Jonelle’s test. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Jonelle is cheered on by her cohorts as she concludes her test and heads out of the ring. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Newly-minted Olympic bronze medallist Kevin McNab puts Willunga through his paces, taking ninth place at the end of dressage. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Airs above the ground: Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Cascaria V achieve lift-off in a flying change. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“He just tries so hard,” says Laura Collett of Mr Bass, who takes fourth place after dressage despite being ‘shaped like a wheelbarrow’ (her words, not ours). Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It’s a Bug’s life: Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus strut their stuff. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Fair Spot, ridden by Sweden’s Linda Algotsson, takes in the atmosphere at Aachen. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K fulfil the unwritten rule that every horse show must have at least one horse with a Harry Potter-themed name. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

France’s Regis Prud’Hon and Tarastro navigate the ring. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

That moment when your horse gives you everything, as demonstrated by Germany’s Sophie Leube and Jadore Moi. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Germany’s Sophie Leube celebrates after taking the dressage lead with Jadore Moi. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Sophie and German team trainer Hans Meltzer share a joyful debrief. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Sydney Elliott tactfully pilots a fizzy QC Diamantaire. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Sydney and Erik Duvander chat through the finer details. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Team USA watches on as Tamie Smith and Mai Baum prepare for their test. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum begin their autumn campaign in fine style. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tamie Smith showers Mai Baum with love after a beautiful test that saw them head into showjumping in second place. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Big ears and big dreams: Tamie Smith’s Mai Baum. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

New Zealand’s Tayla Mason and Centennial make their Aachen debut. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tayla Mason is all smiles amid the cheers of her Kiwi teammates. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tim Price and “show pony” Falco move into sixth place after dressage. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

I spy with my little eye: European showjumping champion Martin Fuchs schooling his horse. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

He might be a bit of a weirdo, but Will Coleman’s Off The Record is born to win, too. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Former EN-er Jenni Autry gives ‘Timmy’ a pat after a solid test puts him into 11th place. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Japan’s Yoshiaki Oiwa and Calle 44 reroute to Aachen after Tokyo disappointment. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Zara Tindall and Class Affair produce their test at Aachen, the venue at which Zara became World Champion in 2006. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

A Team USA horse is grazed in the shadow of one of Aachen’s grandstands. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Here’s to another day of top sport and great friends at the world’s best venue! Photo by Tilly Berendt.

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