Classic Eventing Nation

Cross-country day at Aachen: a high-speed odyssey, demonstrated by Alyssa Phillips and Oskar. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

If you can expect anything from the cross-country finale of CHIO Aachen’s star-studded, invitation-only CCIO4*-S, it is simply this – the unexpected. There’s a few factors that contribute to this – first, because it’s an enormously prestigious invitation-only competiton with a championship vibe, the pressure and the intensity is dialled up to 100 and the scores tend to be tightly packed. Secondly, course designer Rüdiger Schwarz’s twisty, technical cross-country track leaves very little space for making up time on the clock – as such, we always, without fail, see run-outs very late in the course when riders start to take ambitious lines or push for the finish line, and because it’s smartly built with skinnies and angle, to avoid falls or a loss of confidence for the horses, those inevitable surprise 20s often end up being the stories of the day.

But actually, in a rare twist of fate, today’s Aachen finale wasn’t lost from the front – instead, the was passed around the houses as competitor after competitor racked up a small handful (or more!) of time penalties. But in the end, the prize would end up back where it started: with overnight leader Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21, who had stepped up into the top spot last night after the post-showjumping withdrawal of Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of Julia’s win, though, or the final lay of the leaderboard, let’s take a look back at how we got there. The day began in a slightly bewildering sort of way: Michi and Chipmunk, the frontrunners of the not-quite-yet-confirmed German Olympic team, were already out of the hunt, and very early in the draw were the other two horses and riders listed in Block One of the shortlist – the ones who, in effect, are about 95% certain of a spot at the Games.

After a strong start, the first of the two, Christoph Wahler on Carjatan S, put his hand up two-thirds of the way home and trotted happily off the course, a member of the German team’s support system loping, Hasselhoff-style, beside him. Then, a couple of horses later, in exactly the same spot, the other, Sandra Auffarth with her Tokyo mount Viamant du Matz, did the same. Okay, fair play – so it was a planned early exit for both, evidently agreed upon with the German powers-that-be, and would have no effect upon the Olympic line-up, right?

Well, maybe – except for the fact that before she pulled up, Sandra and ‘Mat’, who were champions here two years ago, had a run-out. That came at fence 10B, a skinny at the bottom of a short, sharp downward slope from a brush fence.

“[Pulling up] was the  plan – it was a training round, so [the goal was] to ride a little bit softer and not treat him too harsh or risk too much,” she explains. “[On fence 10B], I think I came a little bit too much to the inside line, and then he was not totally focused on the fence so it felt like he didn’t see the fence. But I think the mistake was because I took the wrong line and I had to jump it more to the right.”

Will this small error see move Sandra moved out of her provisional spot in the list of three for Paris? Maybe, but also probably not: though a blip this close to the Games is unfortunate, it’s also sometimes exactly what a hugely experienced horse and rider need in order to sharpen themselves up for the big day. In short: we won’t know until we know, but certainly, both of those withdrawals made an early impact on the shape of the day. Christoph had been overnight runner-up; Sandra and Mat had been overnight seventh. The door was opened – with a bit of a bang, really – for newcomers into the top ten.

And then it opened a bit more: Tim Price and his smart up-and-comer Jarillo had a very late runout at 19C, the corner element of the combination just before the main stadium where the finish is situated, dropping them from sixth to 31^st; Switzerland’s Felix Vogg and his five-star winner Colero also had a runout at that combination, but at the A element instead, and ultimately retired at fence 20, costing them their overnight eighth place. This final combination – the STAWAG complex – is so often one of the main characters of Aachen; many hearts have been broken when riders in fortuitous positions find themselves down on the clock at the eleventh hour of the track and try to take a risk here. That we only saw three total issues here today – Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and Isazsa also had a runout at the C element, dropping them from 26^th to 34^th – feels like a bit of an Aachen miracle, really.

Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Because of the curious order of Aachen’s final phase – individual competitors head out of the start box first, and then the team riders run in a nation draw that sees them head out in reverse order of merit by team and by rider – we knew within the first few rounds that Julia Krajewski and her ten-year-old Nickel 21 had jumped a clear round. But what wasn’t clear was whether it would be enough. They’d begun the day with a margin of 4.1 penalties; when they crossed the finish line, they did so with 6.4 time penalties added, which gave several riders the opportunity to move ahead of her if they could catch the notoriously tough time, or come very close to it.

A couple of them, late in the day, would give it a very, very good go: Laura Collett and Dacapo, who have previously been runners-up here, added 2 time penalties that cost them the win by a 0.6 point margin; Emily King and Valmy Biats, last out of the startbox today, looked on track to give it a very good bash indeed, but ultimately added 4.8 time penalties to miss out by 2.5 penalties. They finished third and fifth, respectively, instead, and handed the crown to German Olympic Champion Julia, who won here previously in 2018 with fischerChipmunk – then just Chipmunk FRH – before he was reallocated to Michael Jung.

“Two days ago I walked past the big tower [at the in-gate] where all the winners’ names are written down and I took a picture, and then I thought, ‘how cool would it be to have my name on there again?’,” she says with a grin. “But there’s so much between hoping to win and actually winning.”

Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Julia is the first to own the fact that few people would have chosen Nickel as the obvious winner of this year’s Aachen, though not for lack of talent: the ten-year-old already has six four-star placings to his name, including a win at Arville last summer. But he’s still often regarded as a young up-and-comer, and perhaps, his slightly unusual trajectory in the sport can take some credit for keeping him mostly out of the spotlight until the last year or so.

“I don’t think it’s something many people predicted, maybe, and I really like to win –  but I  like it even  more when it’s a surprise,” says Julia. “It makes it very special when you win something big without maybe even being in contention, and especially for the owners. It’s a massive team effort, and we have really fun people, and really great supporters. I think Nickel’s owner is still crying and can’t really believe what just happened!”

That unusual trajectory goes a little something like this: he was originally bought by the owners of Julia’s Olympic champion, Amande de b’Neville, to be a showjumper, but though he was nearly able to qualify for the six-year-old national championships in that discipline, he wasn’t quite good enough to continue his progression. And so those owners offered him to Julia to try. As a seven-year-old he did his first event; three months later, he stepped up to two-star.

But Julia suspected he may be better suited to a young rider, rather than continuing on to the upper levels, and so he was sold to Sophia Rössel, who kept him at Julia’s yard. When Sophia decided to take a gap year and move to New Zealand, Julia took the ride back and continued to produce him – but mostly, he became the ‘fun horse’ on her yard, tackling novelty classes like Aachen’s Ride & Drive and Stockholm’s indoor eventing, because, Julia says, he’s such a straightforward character.

And then, suddenly, he was a four-star horse – and swiftly, a very, very good one, finishing on the podium in his first run at the level. And now? He’s the 2024 Aachen Champion, and continues to be the horse that defies all expectations – for Julia, and for his owners, the Rössels.

Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“Nickel is such a genuine horse – he really, really wants to do everything right,” says Julia, who began her week in second place on a 23.9 with the gelding. “He has always been super rideable and quite straightforward, really. It’s interesting with him – you always think ‘okay, maybe we reached the limit,’ but then half a year later it’s better. Sometimes you have horses that have huge talent, like with Mandy [Amande de b’Neville]. I always knew she’s got massive talent, you only have to channel it. With Nickel, it sometimes feels like the talent seems to grow more: he’s constantly building and getting a bit stronger and learning more.”

“But the best thing about him, I think is, he’s just super genuine. He’s never had a run out ever, I think. He just wants to do well.  Whatever I present, he like, ‘Okay, what do I have to do? Okay, let’s do it,’ and he doesn’t think of not doing it, and that also goes for the other disciplines.”

That meant, Julia continues, that she was “actually fairly relaxed before cross country today! The thing that’s stressing me most is when I know I have to ride fast, because I like to take my time here and there, and I’m also not so young anymore! Then, when I know I have to go for it, I’m like ‘oh dear!’ But I’m never really concerned that he wouldn’t do something, which is a very nice feeling, because I’ve also had other horses  that have  tended to be a bit more cheeky or maybe took the chance. But Nickel is just is like your best buddy. He really, really wants to go well with you – it’s very cool.”

And so she set out on course with a plan, and an awareness of the little margin she had to play with – but in the first half of the track, she was thrown a spanner in the works that required her to take a little bit more time over the moist, spongy ground.

Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“I knew I had a little bit of time, but he lost a shoe quite early and felt that a little bit, and then I thought, ‘Okay, I don’t want to override too much, but bring him home as quick and safe as possible’,” she says. “After my cross country round, I thought, maybe the couple of seconds I prepared for him there might have cost me the win. In the end luckily it didn’t — but there was some nerve racking minutes at the end!”

Julia’s very early draw in the class meant that she and Nickel didn’t get the full hit of Aachen’s extraordinary atmosphere  – but it also meant that she had hours to wait before she knew whether she’d done enough to win.

“In 2018 [when I won] I was, I think, last to go,” she says. “When you actually have something to do later, to ride your horse, it’s a different feeling than being done with your part and then just sitting there and watch for two hours! So I was maybe more nervous [this time] to see what happened But it’s a really, really nice feeling when your young horse goes out in an atmosphere like Aachen and just really does his best. It’s pretty similar [to the first win in 2018] – the only shame was that because I was very early, I knew the stadium wouldn’t be very full yet,  so I thought,  ‘hopefully I make it to the prizegiving again and get a full stadium!’”

Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

When she returned for that prizegiving, it was to packed stands and a deafening roar of support from some 40,000 people.

“I think it’s always, always special in Aachen,” she says. “The full stadium clapping when you enter is second to nothing.”

Now, buoyed by this landmark win, Julia is looking forward to Nickel’s peak, which is still yet to come.

“I mean, going to Aachen at ten, if  you said, ‘you  can win it’ – I don’t know,” she laughs. “I mean, he’s good, but you sometimes think you need something extra special, extra big-moving to win here. But, often this consistency and reliability and to really know what you have to do and what you have is worth so much. He was always a little bit the underdog, maybe, but I think he’s really starting to make his point, and I think he’s far from reaching his full potential.”

“The base is good, and he’s now really starting to grow into it, which is very cool,” she continues. “Actually, that’s also why I was so emotional after the win, because I think often people don’t really believe in him, but when you look at his record, it’s very impressive. It’st always really, really nerve racking to do a young horse’s first Aachen, the first 4*, the first 4*-L — you never really know before [you do it,] and if they’ve done it five times then you really know what you get, so that’s something to aim for.”

Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom Of The Opera. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

When Julia’s not busy winning major titles and producing exceptional horses, she’s also the head coach at the German federation’s Warendorf production line for the Olympic teams of the future – and her closest competitor at the end of the day was her 23-year-old protégé, Calvin Böckmann. He and his partner of two years, The Phantom Of The Opera, with whom he completed Kentucky this spring, began their week in twelfth place on a 30.9, climbed to ninth last night with their faultless showjumping round, and delivered the first – and one of just two – clear round inside the time today to finish on that 30.9 and climb up to a final second place. Their finish sees them just 0.6 penalties behind Julia and Nickel – but Calvin, who in his Young Rider career was dubbed ‘the young Jung’ by EquiRatings for his classy, competitive riding, admits he never saw today’s result coming.

“I called a few  friends and they all said, ‘wow that’s crazy!’,” he laughs. “I’m slowly starting to realize it now. I mean Aachen is just the most special show we have in Germany, I would say. The atmosphere is incredible.”

Calvin and ‘Phanty’ have won fans around the world for their joyful partnership, which sees each bring out an enormous amount of bravery in the other – evidenced best, perhaps, by the stride they left out while jumping into the Head of the Lake at Kentucky this spring. Today’s course was a very different type of track to that one, but Calvin knew, too, that it would play to his horse’s strengths.

“I knew that today’s cross country that time would be a big factor and Phantom can be really fast. I actually had an amazing feeling,” he grins. “Everything went very fluid, and I know him very well, so we were able to cut a few turns and take some strides out, and I think that was the reason why we ended up in second.”

“I’ve been to Kentucky with him at the beginning of the year, and I think  we just grew so much together, so much more,” he continues. “I think that’s what you need – you need more or less blind trust, as well. You definitely need to know where you can cut the turns a little bit, where you can maybe leave out a stride because it’s just so, so difficult to get the  time here, and I think that was just a big benefit I had with him. He fully trusts me, I fully trust him.”

Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom Of The Opera. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

But, he says of the former Sandra Auffarth ride, “It’s not always been so easy with him, to be honest. A lot of people didn’t want us to do 5* — they were just like ‘ah, we’re not sure if he’s a horse for that’, but he was amazing. We are dreaming  a little bit about doing another 5* this year with him, although that’s not really sure yet. The eyes are on Maryland, but it’s not so easy with the funding. That would be a dream because I think he’s always a horse, that needs the galloping stretches, and I think that would suit him very well.”

For Calvin, whose career has already been so full of hard-earned successes even by just the start of its second chapter, the feeling of speeding through the Soers park with the full force of the home nation’s support behind him was both emboldening and moving.

“I mean, it’s just incredible,” he says. “Usually when we have eventing competitions  throughout the year, you rarely have people standing on the side of  the ropes like this. It’s really nice for us, and a great feeling having people inside  the stadium cheering  for you – it just motivates you a lot.”

Calvin and Phantom are listed in Block 3 of Germany’s Olympic longlist – the same Block as Julia and Nickel, and while the travelling reserve is more likely to be drawn from Block 2, which is comprised of Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K (18^th this week) or Jérôme Robiné and Black Ice (13^th), both riders at the business end of the leaderboard will have given the selectors much to think about ahead of tomorrow’s official team selection announcement, and its reserve and alternate lists.

Third place went the way of 2021 runners up Laura Collett and Dacapo, who added just 2 time penalties to their first-phase score of 28.9 to complete their climb up from seventh to third place.

“Just to be at Aachen is so special,” says Laura. “Dacapo seems to love it here – the atmosphere, the crowds, everything about Aachen is incredible. It’s one of the best shows in the world and we all want to come back here year in, year out, so to have a horse that loves it here too is really special.”

Dacapo hasn’t always been the most straightforward horse, but now, at 15, he’s become much more consistent – something that’s been helped enormously by Laura’s recognition of, and targeting of, his favourite shows. This week, that has once again paid dividends.

“I’m absolutely delighted — he’s been faultless from start to finish,” she says. “He was absolutely on his game across country. He’s a bit of a quirky horse – he’s either phenomenal or he says he doesn’t want to go. I don’t have much say in the matter. So it’s nice that he seems to enjoy it here and loves the challenge of a bit of a go-kart track, with everything happening very quickly. The crowd really helped him to stay motivated. He likes the crowds, and if he’s just on a big open galloping track, he just switches off. So here and Boekelo are his two favorite places, which I’m not complaining about!”

Australia’s Chris Burton, who’s made his return to eventing this year after a three-year hiatus and will compete at Paris with the former Ben Hobday ride Shadowman, took fourth place after delivering the second clear inside the time of the day with Clever Louis and finishing on their first-phase score of 32.1. That makes him the new record-holder of the most FODs here – five, across ten runs – and also gave him a sixteen-place boost up the leaderboard across the phases.

Emily King and Valmy Biats. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Emily King and her two-time Grantham Cup winner Valmy Biats, with whom she was fourth at Badminton this spring, finished fifth in their first Aachen after adding 4.8 time penalties, which dropped them down a spot from their overnight fourth. But Emily’s not prone to spending too much time ruing a placing or two – instead, she’s delighted to make a long-held aim come true. She first came to Aachen to groom for her mother, Mary, when she was in her early teens – though, she admits with a laugh, “I don’t think I was much use – I just kept disappearing to enjoy the show!” – and has dreamed of competing here ever since.

Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hermione d’Arville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier continues to enjoy her extraordinary – and supremely hard-won – purple patch, and finishes the day with two horses in the top ten. Ducati d’Arville, who was tenth here last year, finished sixth after adding just 2.8 time penalties to his dressage score of 31, propelling him up from 14^thplace, while Hermione d’Arville, who was named as her direct reserve for the Paris Olympics today, climbed from 27^th to 7^th, adding just 3.6 time penalties to her dressage score of 34.1.

Austria’s Lea Siegl and her longtime partner Van Helsing P began their week in fifth place on a 28.6, but dropped seemingly out of the hunt into fifteenth last night with an expensive rail. But their decisive round today, which added just 5.2 time penalties to their score card, sent them right back up the board to eighth place. They’re closely followed in ninth place by James Alliston and Karma, who finished best of the US riders with just 2.4 time penalties. That’s a 24 place climb from the first phase – and another demonstration of this exciting ten-year-old’s extraordinary natural turns of speed.

James Alliston and Karma. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tenth place was rounded out by Dirk Schrade and Casino 80, who climbed from 19^th to 12^th yesterday, and a further two places today on their 6.4 time penalty round – and, as Block 3 German longlist contenders, they give the selectors yet another headache. Frankly, though, by the sounds of the party now raging outside the media centre, we reckon they might find some novel ways to self-soothe tonight.

Speaking of teams, the British contingent led from pillar to post to win the Nations Cup competition, thanks to Laura, Emily, Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI (19^th) and Izzy Taylor and SBH Big Wall (37^th). They closed the weekend out on an aggregate score of 112.8.

The US team of developing horses – and three Aachen debutant riders – finished in an impressive second place, having climbed up from second-to-last after dressage to third after showjumping, in which all four competitors jumped faultless rounds. Their final climb today was led by James and Karma’s excellent round and buoyed along by strong efforts from all three remaining riders and their horses.

Alyssa Phillips and Oskar. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Alyssa Phillips and Oskar finished fourteenth, completing an eleven-place climb from the first phase after adding 8.8 time penalties today.

“He was awesome, and the course actually rode to plan,” says Alyssa. “But I think with all the crowds and everything kind of bam, bam, bam, Oskar got a little bit weary towards the end. But I was like, ‘Come on, buddy, let’s go!’ And he was like, ‘Okay!’ and he’s such a genuine horse, so he always wants to jump what’s in front of him. But I did have to work quite hard to keep his focus towards the end.”

That weariness, she explains, was a mental tiredness: “It’s just having to land and keep going. A lot of people talked about how the course was so much easier than last year, but you started to see all these problems across the board, so I think people were a little quick to jump on that. It’s Aachen! You still have to ride for everything that’s there. And the crowds out there are crazy. I’ve never ridden anything like it! You know, you jump a single fence, and they’re like, ‘WAAAH!’ it’s like a muffled thing, but you hear them!”

As much as that intensity in the crowd takes careful management while on course, it’s a feeling that Alyssa won’t soon forget.

“I was getting chills, and when you come into the main ring, there’s a huge roar,” she says. “It was an amazing feeling crossing the finish line.  I’m so lucky to have him as a partner, and the rest of my team mates this weekend have been awesome. We’re all just thrilled for each other, and for the horses and the owners, the supporters, the coaches. It’s an exciting weekend for everybody.”

Liz Halliday and Shanroe Cooley. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Liz Halliday and nine-year-old Shanroe Cooley finished sixteenth, picking up just 7.6 time penalties and closing out their climb from first-phase 31^st.

“I’m really proud of him. He’s only a nine-year-old, and this would by far be the most intense thing he’s ever experienced,” says Liz. “He got a little tired on me at the end, I think not so much from his physicality, but from just so much. He’s a big, tall horse, too.  But he fought for me all the way to the end, and  he never gave up. He’s just a really world class horse.”

Now, an end of season return to Europe could be on the cards for the exciting youngster: “I’d love for him to go to Boekelo – that would be my hope for him,” says Liz. “I think that’d be a great education for him again. And then if he’s ready for it, we will aim for a 5* next year, maybe. Right now, it’s just about giving him all these experiences and getting his body stronger and mentally stronger and all those things.”

Hallie Coon and Cute Girl. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Hallie Coon and ten-year-old Cute Girl, who were best of the US team in the first two phases, delivered 95% of an exceptional round, with the diminutive Holsteiner mare showing just how much grit and courage and joie de vivre she’s developed over the last year. The inexperienced wobbles of the start of the mare’s four-star career are so evidently behind her – in all the places where she might previously have been expected to drop anchor, she instead showed the depth of her education and class. But, as is so often the case for even the most experienced combinations at Aachen, the pair were caught out at the eleventh hour – not at that STAWAG combination just before the main arena, but in the arena itself. They jumped neatly through the busy questions in the stadium and then, heartbreakingly, just undercooked their engine for an expensive moment on the way into 22B, in sight of the finish line. The new, game edition of Cute Girl tried to jump, but couldn’t quite follow through behind – instead, the pair did a slow-mo scramble and then put back down, picking up 20 penalties. They regrouped and finished in fine style, but although there’s so many net positives to take away from their performances through the week, the disappointment of missing out on a top ten finish is, no doubt, a hard weight to carry for today.

But consider: Hallie and Cute Girl were last-minute call-ups to the team; their preparation was, as such, not totally ideal, with the mare having spent some time at stud for an embryo transfer after the second of her four-star wins this season. It’s a first time at Aachen for both; the biggest pressure-cooker of intensity, too, for the young horse. And none of that got to her – instead, she’s thrived all week, shown that she’s every inch a world class horse, and, unfortunately, had a deeply frustrating, but not at all disheartening, 20 penalties. We look forward to seeing them back here, and on the US team, very soon – because something big and brilliant will be on the horizon for them.

Ian Cassells and Millridge Atlantis. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Team Ireland spent the first two phases sitting in fifth place, but ultimately finished third after some excellent rounds today. They were led by Ian Cassells and Millridge Atlantis (11^th), who was ably helped to the podium by Joseph Murphy and Calmaro (12^th), Sam Watson and Ballyneety Rocketman (23^rd), and Austin O’Connor and Isazsa (34^th).

“It’s good to be here with two big nations with big budgets – and then there’s us,” laughs Sam Watson. “The point I would make is, our owners that support us, and our personal sponsors, and now we have Agria on board — it makes a big difference. But for me, it’s the guys on the team; the attitude. Austin, we all know, winning the 5* for Ireland [at Maryland], Lucy Latta at Badminton this year, the team winning at Millstreet – Ireland keeps crunching away, and when we can get the support to be as professional and have a system around us [like these teams]…. You know, we didn’t have our team coaches here. We have our manager who keeps us on the straight and narrow, but we couldn’t have our dressage coach and our jumping coach, because we don’t have the budget for it – but we have the attitude and we will always be here.”

And so we come to the end of one of the world’s greatest events, and the end of an era, too: this is the last-ever Aachen for longtime course designer Rüdiger Schwarz, who has been at the helm of the track for two decades. We’ll leave it to his longtime student Julia Krajewski to sum up his impact.

“I would like to also take the opportunity to say some words to Rüdiger,” she says from the winner’s seat at the final press conference. “He probably will not like it, but he also said many things to me that I didn’t want  to hear when he trained me!  I think for me, Aachen has always been a dream show. It’s been a show where we all, I think, have to ride cross  country at our best. We walked the course a few days ago, and there were quite a few said ‘Oh, it’s a bit  softer than usual.’  And then again, we look at the scoreboard and we see it’s just been built perfectly. Like, there were some MIMs, some run-outs and people who tried to go fast had to pay the price in the end. You have to ride smart, you have to have your horse balanced, you have to use your brain and in the end, the best riding people are in front, that’s how it should be,  and I think Rüdiger has really shaped how many people ride cross country, and he’s shaped how cross country has been built. Aachen has been his signature show for many years and I’m very, very happy that I could do Aachen on his last show.”

Go Eventing – and, forever and always, Go Aachen.

EN’s coverage of CHIO Aachen in 2024 is brought to you with support from Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt Real Estate, your prime choice for Aiken, SC property!

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According to EquiRatings, since the SAP-Cup came into play 16 years ago, the leader after show jumping has gone on to win seven times. And that’s exactly the enviable (or perhaps not because, well, pressure) position reigning Olympic champion Julia Krajewski finds herself in with the talented ten-year-old Nickel 21. They’ve been in this position before – remember Boekelo? – so we won’t count our chickens just yet, but Aachen’s theirs to lose and we may very well find that we’ve got a winner really quite early in the day. Watch this space.

If you’re wondering what happened to the leaders after dressage and show jumping, Michael Jung has withdrawn fischerChipmunk FRH before cross country.

If you want to follow along with the EquiRatings’ stats, you’ll find their form guide here.

Catch up on all that went down in the dressage in Tilly’s round-up report.

And you’ll find the show jumping report right here.

And that’s where we find ourselves. This is it folks! The dressage is done, the competitors have had their turn over the colored poles, and now we’ve just got the small matter of cross country (or at least part of it) before we find out who’ll be crowned Aachen champion 2024.

First, a look at the clubhouse leaderboard as things stand:

1️⃣ 🇩🇪 Julia Krajewski and Nikel 21 on a score of 23.9.

2️⃣ 🇩🇪 Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S on a score of 28 (+4.1).

3️⃣ 🇬🇧 Emily King and Valmy Biats on a score of 28 (+4.1).

4️⃣ 🇬🇧 Laura Collett and Dacapo on a score of 28.9 (+5).

5️⃣ 🇳🇿 Tim Price and Jarillo on a score of 28.9 (+5).

As far as the team competition goes, this is how things are looking:

🇬🇧 Great Britain 96.3

🇦🇺 Australia 100.1

🇺🇲 USA 102.1

(Team riders indicated by * below.)

Click here for the full individual scoreboard.

Click here for the full team scoreboard.

Our trailblazer today will be Lara de Liedekeike-Meier and Hermione d’Arville – they’re due to get things underway at 9:55am CEST / 3:55am ET.

🇺🇲 If you’re following the US camp, here are the times you need:

James Alliston and Karma will get things going for Team USA at 4:58am ET.
Liz Halliday and Shanroe Cooley are set to go at 5:33am ET.
Alyssa Phillips and Oskar are due to leave the startbox at 6:05am ET.
Hallie Coon and Cute Girl will wrap things up for America at 6:37AM ET.

If you want to see when your favorites will be heading out on course, you’ll find the order of go here.

Whilst you’re waiting for things to kick off, feast your eyes on all of EN’s Aachen content and mosey on along to our IG account @goeventing where there’s a bunch of great stuff going on courtesy of roving reporter extraordinaire, Tilly Berendt.

I’ll be here from the first rider out on course to the last to leave the start box, so keep this page refreshed, and watch this space! If you’re catching up with this later and are the type to like things in order, scroll ⬇️ and read ⬆️.

You can follow along with the live stream on ClipMyHorse here (subscription required).

I am unreliably informed (by the gift that is Google Translate) that ‘have a good ride’ translates to German as ‘’gute fahrt”.

So, um, gute fahrts guys, and go eventing!

EN’s coverage of CHIO Aachen in 2024 is brought to you with support from Deirdre Stocker Vaillancourt Real Estate, your prime choice for Aiken, SC property!

World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen: [Website] [Program – All Disciplines] [Program – Eventing] [Entries – All Disciplines] [Entries – Eventing] [Live Stream] [Results – All Disciplines] [Results – Eventing] [EN’s Coverage]

7am

And there we have it. We have new Aachen champions and have been treated to a fine morning’s sport. Before we sign out, here’s a look at how things played out:

1️⃣ Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21
2️⃣ Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom of the Opera
3️⃣ Laura Collett and Dacapo

As far as teams are concerned,

🇬🇧 Great Britain 112.8
🇺🇲 USA 123.7
🇮🇪 Ireland 138

🇺🇲 If you’re following the US camp, here’s how your guys got on:

James Alliston and Karma 9th
Alyssa Phillips and Oskar 14th
Liz Halliday and Shanroe Cooley 16th
Hallie Coon and Cute Girl 30th

Click here for the full individual scoreboard.

Click here for the team scoreboard.

We’ll have a full round-up of all of today’s competition for you – Tilly’s pounding the keys as we speak – eyes on EN for that, coming soon.

In the meantime, click here for all the Aachen content you can handle.

Until next time ENers, go eventing!

6:54am

Great Britain take the team win.
And the USA are runners-up.

6:53am

Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21 have won Aachen!

6:52am

We’ve got our last combination on course – Emily King and Valmy Biats – and they could go into the lead. So exciting! They’re clear through fence 14 and are coming to the complex at 15ABCD. She’s neat through there and kicks on. She opens Valmy up as she heads up the hill towards the double of gates at 16AB. She’s careful through there. She’s a little behind on the clock. She comes round to the penultimate water. She’s got 5 seconds in hand over Julia. Will she make it? She clears the open corners but she’s looking to be a bit too far down on the clock. The crowd cheers as they come into the main arena. She’s through the water, and round to the penultimate fence. Her elbows are going. They’re over the last. Not quite quick enough – 4.8 time for them. An awesome round all the same.

6:50am

Chris is clear up to fence 15 as our final combination take to the course…
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⭐Last horse on course:

🇬🇧 Emily King and Valmy Biats*

▶️ Score: 28 + 0 – 28 (4th)

📈XC Form: Emily and ‘Val’ have been on hot form so far this season 🌶️ They started out by retaining the Gratham Cup title in the 4*-S at Thoresby, going on to a 4th place in the 4*-S at Burnham Market and then very nearly making it onto their first 5* podium at Badminton. That’s three impressive XC jumping clears under the cinch already this year, and three relatively speedy rounds to boot. This talented gelding has just one 20 on his record in 28 FEI competitions (and two eliminations for falls). The only other XC penalties, aside from time, are an 11 at Burghley last year for activating a frangible device, and another one back in 2021. Time penalties at 4*-S are almost always single figures, sometimes very low single figures. It’s not hard to see how EquiRatings have this guy as amongst the best cross country horses in the field, and he’s the third fastest to boot.This is an exciting combination, who were knocking on the door of the British Olympic team, and will be here to give it their very best shot. Eyes on this one 👀
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There’s an early question for Emily at fence 3, but it disappears off the leaderboard quickly. She rides really positively through the first water as we see Chris Burton coming towards home. He weaves beautifully through the combination at 19 and is super quick. He’s going to make the time – maybe… He’s easily through the fences in the arena and through the keyhole. Over the line – and inside the time! That’s a finish on his dressage score for Burto – he’s punching the air. A total class act.

6:45am

Hallie and Cute Girl are clear through fence 17 and are at the penultimate water as we pick up the next to go. We’re almost there now.
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⭐ Penultimate combination on course:

🇦🇺 Christopher Burton and Clever Louis*

▶️ Score: 32.1 + 0 – 32.1 (13th)

📈XC Form: Two-time Aachen winner, Burto’s back after a hiatus from eventing and is here at Aachen with Clever Louis, a gelding that’s back in his yard after spending time with Bubby Upton and Jonelle Price while Chris was going show jumping; Prior to Christopher, the horse was brought through the levels by Germany’s Ben Leuwer. He won the 4*-S for 8- and 9-year-olds at Blenheim in 2019 with Chris in the irons and then took first place in the 4*-L at Boekelo at the end of that season, where he finished on his dressage. This season, the pair have had three FEI outings and with a win last time out in the 4*-L at Strzegom, they come here in great form 🌶️ They’ve had no jumping penalties, either out on course or in the ring, in any of those runs – in fact, the gelding has a clear XC jumping record all the way; in 36 runs, he’s had flag penalties twice, a 15 for breaking a frangible device, and a fall on the flat – that’s it. It’s no surprise that his fastest runs have been under Burto, who’s known for his speed across the country, but Bubby and Jonelle are no slouches, that’s for sure, and with time penalties generally hitting double figures (at the short format; before this season, he hadn’t done a long since Boekelo with Burto in 2019), we can deduce that he’s not the quickest horse around. He picked up 7.2 time at Strzegom, the only penalties they added to their 28.2 dressage across the competition. One to watch for a clear, but will he be quick?
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Hallie and Cute Girl are through the water at 18AB and are a little down on the time. They come into the main arena and make the turn to the water. Oh no! They have a stop at the penultimate fence. That is such a shame. They take the option and come back round and clear the last. What a disappointment for them. They finish up with 13.6 time.

6:40am

Tim and Jarillo are clear up to the combination at 15ABCD. He’s giving us a masterclass in cross country riding once again.
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⭐We’re down to our last three:

🇺🇲 Hallie Coon and Cute Girl*

▶️ Score: 33.2 + 0 – 33.2 (16th)

📈XC Form: With two wins already this season, Cute Girl has shown herself to be in hot form 🌶️ Currently based in the UK and taking in the European eventing scene, Hallie piloted the lovely mare to first place in the 4*-S at Oudkarspel in the Netherlands, where they added just 4.4 XC time to their dressage score of 26.7. Their Dutch luck didn’t end there as they went out for the 4*-S at Kronenberg and won that as well, that time adding just 1.2 XC time penalties, a pole and a smidge of SJ time to their dressage of 27.6. They had a spate of 20s last season, picking up XC jumping penalties in four consecutive competitions, but that looks to be well and truly behind them with their run of four clear rounds this season. Will Cute Girl like Germany as much as she obviously likes the Netherlands?
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Hallie has no troubles at fence 3 and looks smooth and confident as she clears the fourth. She’s superb through the first water. We’re back with Tim and Jarillo as they have a moment at the B element of 19. He’s looking a little tired perhaps. He’s neat over the first corner but then drifts as he makes his way to the B element and climbs all over it. No chance to make it to the C element. They continue on into the main arena and there’s further problems at the penultimate fence when he has to turn a circle. That was a really empathetic ride from Tim at the end. They finish with 20 jumping and 19.6 time.

6:36am

Joseph is clear through fence 14 as we see our next starter leave the box:
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⭐New starter on course:

🇳🇿 Tim Price and Jarillo*

▶️ Score: 28.9 + 0 – 28.9 (6th)

📈XC Form: Presumably Tim’ll be sat next to Jonelle on the flight to Paris, and he’s here alongside her today with 10-year-old Jarillo. This gelding’s had 10 FEI runs and has nary a jumping penalty across them – not a one. He’s also on a run of very exciting form. He came out this season with a win in the 4*-S at Thoresby – he added 19.2 time penalties that day, but it was sticky day out on course and time penalties racked up for most of the competitors, so that’s not really an indication of his speed across the country. He was 5th in the 4*-L at Saumur in France in April, where he added just 3.2 XC time to his dressage of 28.6. He had another good run in the 4*-L Nations Cup at Boekelo last fall, finishing up in 7th after jumping clear across the country and in the show jumping ring, adding just 2 XC time penalties to his dressage score of 29, and it was a very similar story in the 4*-S for 8- and 9-year-olds at Blenheim last season – just 2 time penalties added across the competition and ending up in 3rd. If you’re thinking this is an exciting prospect, you’re right. Let’s see if he continues on his upward trajectory in the sport today.
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Tim looks to mean business as he sets off. He leaves nothing to chance at that sneaky fence 3 and they look like a very confident pair as they get their Aachen cross country underway. Meanwhile, Joseph looks to be bang on time as he comes through the penultimate water. At the other end of the course, Tim is riding really accurately as he makes his turns through the first water at 6ABC and 7AB. Joseph’s still got a green clock as he jumps the gate into the water in the main arena. It turns red as he comes out of the water and makes his way round to the last. They cross the line with 5.6 time penalties.

6:33am

Jerome is clear up to the water at 18 as we have another horse join us on course:
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⭐New starter on course:

🇮🇪 Joseph Murphy and Calmaro*

▶️ Score: 30.9 + 4 – 34.9 (20th)

📈XC Form: Qualified quantity surveyor Joseph is clearly a guy with a need for speed and excitement, not only going eventing but also having been a winning point to point jockey. He’s here at Aachen with his 2022 Kentucky 5* top-10 finisher Calmaro. He’s had a couple of good results at Aachen with the gelding, jumping clear with 1.2 XC time in 2021 and finishing 17th, then returning the following year for another clear round, adding just 3.2 time penalties to his dressage of 30.4 for 4th place. Last year he was 9th, again going clear, just adding 4.4 XC time and an expensive show jumping pole. He’s on a streak of 14 XC clear rounds and had a successful start to the season this year with a 4th place on home soil in the 4*-S at Ballindenisk. He can be quick enough, with time penalties generally in single figures. Can he add to his great Aachen results today, and perhaps even better them? Let’s see…
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Jerome’s beautifully balanced as he drops into the water at 18A. They’re a little off the time but look to be having a really confident round. They come into the main arena to a huge cheer from his home crowd. They’re beautiful through the water and come round to the final fence. They’re through the line – Jerome’s grinning and his support team look thrilled. 8 time penalties for them.

6:29am

Benjamin is clear all the way – he’s in the main arena and finishing up his round. He’s got plenty left in the tank as he gallops across the finish – just 4 time penalties for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇨🇭 Felix Vogg and Colero*

▶️ Score: 30.2 + 0 – 30.2 (8th)

📈XC Form: Famous for winning a 5* on his birthday, Swiss Olympian and World Championships rider Felix is on his way to France later this month. First though, he’s here at Aachen with his old pal Colero. Safe to say the Luhmuhlen 2022 winner hasn’t had the most straightforward start to the season, racking up 23.2 time penalties in the 3*-S at his old stomping ground Luhmuhlen in March, retiring after picking up 40 XC jumping penalties in the 4*-S at Pratoni del Vivaro in May, and then being eliminated for an error of course in the 4*-S Nations Cup event in Strzegom last month. In between all that though, they were 4th in the 4*-S at Baborowko in Poland, adding just 3.2 XC time and reminding us of the Colero we all know and love. Hey, they finished on their dressage when they won Luhmuhlen, so this more recent form is in no way typical of what this talented pair can do. Let’s hope that all goes according to plan here today and they hang onto at least third place.
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Felix has a question mark for fence 3 – that’ll be a flag under review. He continues on and is clear to the big combination at 15ABCD. We’re into the final 5 as our next combination get under way…
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⭐ New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Jérôme Robiné and Black Ice*

▶️ Score: 33.3 + 0 – 33.3 (18th)

📈XC Form: Another German combination to be on the Olympic selectors’ watch list this weekend, last season this combination added a top-10 5* finish to their record (Luhmuhlen), as well as an individual 7th place at the European Championships. Since Jerome took on the ride in 2020, the pair have had just one 11 penalties for activating a frangible device on their XC jumping record, that’s it, in 23 FEI competitions. That came in the 4*-S at Marbach this season, breaking their 4 year clear XC streak. But they were back on form in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen, where they added just 4 time penalties across the whole competition to finish 8th on a score of 34.9. There’s no doubt that both horse and rider are knocking on the door of the big time, it’s for sure a case of when, not if for them. EquiRatings have this gelding down as amongst the best cross country horses in the field. Eyes on 👀
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We’re just hearing that Ian Cassell’s flag penalty has been taken away. All will become clear when we see the final leaderboard. Meanwhile, Felix has just had a duck out at the big open corner at 19A. Oh, that’s a surprise. Felix puts his hand up.

EN’s coverage of CHIO Aachen in 2024 is brought to you with support from Deirdre Stocker Vaillancourt Real Estate, your prime choice for Aiken, SC property!

6:20am

Oh, it’s tight on the time for Laura. She’s kicking on! Will she make it? Oh, it’s so close but not quite. She punches the air – she’s 5 seconds over. She’s gone into second.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇫🇷 Benjamin Massie and Filao de Perle*

▶️ Score: 35.7 + 4 – 39.7 (28th)

📈XC Form: This pair were clear inside the time in their first run at 4*, the Nations Cup 4*-S at Jardy last season. They came back out flying at Boekelo in the 4*-L, finishing just one second over the time, and then consolidated their need for speed this season with another quick round, this time in the 4*-S at Pompadour, France, where they added just 2.8 time penalties. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em! This is the 9-year-old gelding’s first time competing in Germany, but if his form thus far in his career has anything to show, it’s that he’s got a bright future ahead of him.
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6:16am

Ah! 10B claims another. Andrew and Go Tosca run on past. That’s 20 for them. They’re very quick to come back round though and continue on.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇬🇧 Laura Collett and Dacapo*

▶️ Score: 28.9 + 0 – 28.9 (5th)

📈XC Form: Team gold medalist from Tokyo, Laura’s headed to Paris later this month, but first she brings Dacapo for a spin ‘round Aachen. They’re favorite for the win, according to EquiRatings. This pair were runners-up here in 2021, after jumping clear and adding just 3.2 time penalties on cross country day. And that’s not the only 4* success this lovely gelding’s had – he won at Burnham Market last season, adding 3.6 time that day, and was 3rd at Bicton; he was clear inside the time in the Nations Cup 4*-L at Boekelo and finished up in 6th. This season he’s had a run ‘round the 4*-S at Bicton, where he added 8.4 to his dressage score of 27.5 to finish 7th. He’s had a couple of blips in terms of XC jumping penalties, but they’ve come at 5* in more recent years. Let’s see if they can find themselves on the Aachen podium once again…
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Laura and Dacapo have some team pressure on them – they really need to be clear inside the time. That won’t put Laura off though. She’s very smooth through the first water – class. Meanwhile, Andrew is making his way towards the main arena. The clock is about to turn red for him as he comes round to the final water. They splash through there, up the step and over the skinny. They’re neatly through the keyhole and over the line – 12 time penalties and 20 jumping for them. Nicole Brown in the commentary box has done the math – she thinks the USA can finish no worse than 2nd.

6:14am

Alyssa is still clear – she’s at the big combination at 15ABCD.
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⭐We’re into the final 10 to go now. New starter on course:

🇦🇺 Andrew Barnett and Go Tosca*

▶️ Score: 32.5 + 0 – 32.5 (14th)

📈XC Form: Andrew’s over in Europe this season with Paris in mind and will have given the selectors something to think about when he came 4th in the Nations Cup 4*-S at Millstreet in his most recent run, with a clear inside the time on the cross country and adding just one show jumping pole to his dressage of 29. Go Tosca’s been on hot form in Australia over the last few years – in 18 FEI competitions he’s racked up 6 wins and 6 second places 🌶️ There are a couple of 20s on his record, most recently in the 4*-S at Hastings in New Zealand this season, but he’s proved he can be quick on his day and based on recent form, we’re looking at single figures. Can he repeat his Millstreet feat and add nothing today?
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Go Tosca is another horse to back off fence 3, but Andrew pushes forward and they make it over – they take the flag but he’s marked as clear. They make nothing of the first water and looks to really mean business. Meanwhile, Alyssa is on her way home. She’s a little down on the clock as she comes to the open corners at 19ABC. She’s good through there. She comes into the main arena and round to the final water. The clock turns red. Through the water, round the corner, through the keyhole and over the line. Alyssa looks thrilled. 8.8 time for them.

6:10am

Oh no! Another fly by at 10B – this time for Jonelle and Senor Crocodillo. They continue on and are clear up to the penultimate water.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇺🇲 Alyssa Phillips and Oskar*

▶️ Score: 33.2 + 0 – 33.2 (17th)

📈XC Form: According to EquiRatings, Oskar is the joint-fastest cross country horse in the field and his recent form certainly backs that up. He won the 4*-S at Terra Nova, adding just 4 XC time penalties, before making the trip to Europe and jumping clear ‘round the 4*-S Nations Cup at Millstreet, where he added just 3.6 time. In 20 FEI competitions together, there’s just one 20 and a rider fall on their record and time penalties are almost always low single figures. He’s good on US soil, and Irish, how will Oskar be with the German ground beneath his feet?
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Alyssa looks to mean business as she doesn’t waste a second at the water at 6ABC and 7AB – wow, she was great through there. Meanwhile, Jonelle looks to have put that refusal well behind her as she flies through the combination at 19ABC and into the main arena. The clock turns red as she sets up for the final water. She swings round to the final fence, through the keyhole and over the line. 10 time penalties for them, and 20 jumping. She’d likely have made the time if it wasn’t for that drive by.

6:07am

Ian and Millridge Atlantis are quick through the complex at 15ABCD – they’re clear so far.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇳🇿 Jonelle Price and Senor Crocodillo*

▶️ Score: 31.9 + 0 – 31.9 (11th)

📈XC Form: Kiwi team stalwart Jonelle has both booked her flight to Paris but is getting just a bit more eventing in before the big trip. She’s here with former Samantha Lissington ride Senor Crocodillo, who Jonelle took on in 2022. They’ve got a bit of a mixed bag of results in their seven runs together, with a win in the 4*-S at Kilguilkey House in Ireland, where they finished on their dressage of 31.2, and two occasions where they’ve had a 20 out on course. So far this season, they’ve jumped clear at both 4*-L and 4*-S, picking up 12 and 17.2 time penalties respectively. One thing’s for sure, there’s no better woman to have on board and she’ll give this 10-year-old a bunch of confidence as he makes his way ‘round the Aachen track.
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We see Jonelle at fence 3, it’s caused a bit of trouble this morning but not for this pair. Meanwhile, Ian is at the water at 18AB. They weave through there and kick on towards the main arena. We see Jonelle at the other end of the course – she’s at the first water at 6ABC and shows us all how that’s done. Back with Ian, he’s on the final chase to the line – he sets up for the gate into the water and then has a little slip on the turn towards the final fence. He takes the flag at the second last – but it looks to be OK. They finish with 3.2 time penalties – a great round for them. News on Malin’s flag penalties – they’ve been taken away.

6am

Nadja has completed with 40 jumping and 24.8 time. Meanwhile, Malin is up at the combination at 15ABCD. She’s flying along, looking really confident. Quidditch looks like he’s thoroughly enjoying this. They rattle the second gate at 16B but no problem there. They have been awarded the 15 penalties, but that will be reviewed.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇮🇪 Ian Cassells and Millridge Atlantis*

▶️ Score: 33.1 + 4 – 37.1 (24th)

📈XC Form: Based on his parents’ dairy farm in Ireland, Ian is here with the 10-year-old gelding Millridge Atlantis. They’ve had 13 FEI runs together and there’s just one 20 on their card; that came at the Young Horse Championships in 2021. They’ve got three XC clears under their cinch this season – in the 4*-S Nations Cup at Millstreet they had a great spin, adding just 2.4 XC time to their dressage of 36.3. They were quick ‘round the 4*-L at Samur in France too – just 2 XC time for them there in the spring. EquiRatings have this guy down as amongst the best cross country horses in the field and this looks to be an exciting horse for Ian. It’s his first trip to Germany, let’s see how he finds it…
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Malin puts a little bend in the line to the big open corner at 19C and then there’s a huge cheer as she comes into the main arena. She’s quickly through the water in there and then flies on through the keyhole and through the finish line – 7.2 time for them, and potentially 15 penalties for that flag.

5:56am

Nadja is now at fence 14 and looks to have have put those early problems behind her.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K*

▶️ Score: 30.2 + 8 – 38.2 (25th)

📈XC Form: The Golden Snitch will be the last thing on this pair’s mind as they set out onto the Aachen cross country today. They were 12th here last year, and 12th in 2021, adding just 5.6 and 2.8 time penalties respectively. Never mind Quidditch, this guy is a total cross country machine 🤖 EquiRatings have him down as the third best cross country horse in the field. In 33 FEI runs, he’s had no XC jumping penalties – zero, zilch, ‘null’. They come here in winning form, fresh from a finish on their dressage first place in the 3*-S at Strzegom 🌶️ And that’s not the only great result they’ve had this season – they very nearly made the podium in the Kentucky 5* in the spring, where they added just 6.8 XC time penalties to their dressage of 31.1. This pair are on the Olympic selectors’ watch list, so they’ll be hoping the magic continues as they fly ‘round Aachen today.
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Malin seems to have had a confident start to her round. They drop into the water at 6 and make it look very easy through there. They’re really covering the ground as they gallop towards the solid table at 8. They take the big step up at 9 and then take the flag at 10B – it comes up as a question mark on the live leaderboard.

5:53am

Cyrielle is clear to the water at 18 as we pick up with a new starter…
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⭐New starter on course:

🇨🇭 Nadja Minder and Top Job’s Jalisco*

▶️ Score: 33 + 8 – 41 (30th)

📈XC Form: On the flight to Paris with her Young Riders mount Toblerone, Nadja’s first got a date with Aachen. She’s had the ride on Top Job’s Jalisco since 2021, and in 21 FEI runs together they’ve had just three XC jumping penalties, all in 2022. They were clear inside the time in the 4*-L Nations Cup event at Boekelo last season, finishing top-20. They were just outside the top-10 in their last run in the 4*-S Nations Cup in Avenches, where they added 13.2 time penalties out on course. This young talent sure is an exciting prospect for the future of Swiss eventing. Let’s hope she can add to her successes here today.
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Oh dear! Nadja has early troubles at fence 3 – that three horses (I think) so far that have taken a dislike to that, seemingly unassuming, fence. She sets up for a brave line between the A and B elements at 7 in the water and, uh, they duck out to the side. Another 20 for them. Meanwhile, Cyrielle has completed – she’s delighted with her horse and points emphatically to him as they crowd clap. 8 time penalties for them.

5:50am

Izzy and SBH Big Wall have made their way to the tricky combination at 15ABCD. They look to have settled into their round now and Izzy’s done really well to put those early problems behind her.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇫🇷 Cyrielle Lefevre and Armanjo Serosah*

▶️ Score: 37.1 + 4 – 41.1 (31st)

📈XC Form: Cyrielle is here at Aachen with her World Championships ride – and cross country machine – Armanjo Serosah. It’s not surprising that EquRatings have him down as amongst the best cross country horses in the field when you look at his form. You have to go all the way back to 2017 and the gelding’s first couple of FEI competitions to find anything other than a single 11 penalties for activating a frangible device (which happened way back in 2019). Seriously, there are a whole lotta zeros running down their scoresheet. They’re no slouches when it comes to time as well – they added 7.2 in the 4*-S at Marbach this year, their first run back after a break last season. This pair not only have championships experience under their girth, but have completed at Pau and Badminton too, and there’s nothing quite like a long-term partner when you’re sat in the start box on cross country day. Clear round coming up..?
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Cyrielle is clear up to fence 12 as Izzy comes into the main arena. This young horse will have really learned a lot from his round today. They have a moment over the gate into the water but Izzy sits tight. She gets a really nice shot at the final fence and they complete.

5:46am

Kevin is in the main arena and is over the time. They finish up with 16.4 penalties. That means – with Izzy’s problems as well – the USA have gone into the lead in the team competition.

5:45am

Kevin and Miss Pepperpot make nothing of the big hanging log over the river. Update on the leaderboard – Julia and Nickel 21 are hanging on to the lead thus far.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇬🇧 Isabelle Taylor and SBH Big Wall*

▶️ Score: 31.4 + 8 – 39.4 (27th)

📈XC Form: In 16 FEI competitions, this 9-year-old gelding has had just one 11 penalties for activating a frangible device, that’s it. And he’s no slouch in terms of speed either. He added just 4 penalties to his dressage score of 28.5 to finish 5th in the 4*-S at Bramham this season and was top-10 in the 4*-S at Bicton where he jumped clear with 8.4 time. He looks to be a real up-and-comer for Izzy, so watch this space. Let’s see how he finds his first run on German soil.
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We see Kevin through the combination at 15ABCD – they’re very clean and tidy through there and on track for the time. Oh no! Izzy’s having early troubles at fence 3. SBH Big Wall takes a real dislike to it and stops, she comes round and they make it over but there’s more trouble at 4. The gelding looks to have gone a bit green but Izzy’s supporting him and they continue on.

5:40am

Ginny’s now coming to the end of her round. A great clear for her, she looks really pleased with her horse. 7.6 time for them. Meanwhile, Liz and Shanroe Cooley are coming up to the big log over the river at fence 13. Clear all the way so far for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇦🇺 Kevin McNabb and Miss Pepperpot*

▶️ Score: 31.5 + 4 – 35.5 (21st)

📈XC Form: Kevin’s booked his seat to Paris later this month, but first he’s having a trip ‘round Aachen with Miss Pepperpot. This sweet mare’s been with Kevin since 2020, having formerly been piloted by Britain’s Caroline Harris. She’s had a few ups and downs in terms of XC jumping penalties since then, but she’s jumped clear in both her FEI starts this season and kept time penalties to single figures, producing her best finishing score (since Kevin took on the ride) in the 4*-S at Strzegom, where she was 10th on a 42. At Marbach in May, she finished on her third best score of 47.6. Things look to be coming together for this combination so far this season, let’s hope that continues for them here today.
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Liz gives us a riding lesson through the tricky complex at 15ABCD and then weaves on through the trees to the double of rustic gates at 16AB. Meanwhile, Kevin is at the first water and is real smooth through there. We’re back with Liz as she makes her way into the main arena. They’re down on the clock but are absolutely flying – the queen of speed is in the house. They come round to the last and through the keyhole – 7.6 time for them – 43.3 overall.

5:35am

Oh no! Austin’s had 20 penalties at 19C – the open corner just before the main arena. That’s so disappointing for him, especially as he was going so well. He continues on and finishes – 20 jumping and 25.2 time for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇳🇿 Ginny Thomasen and Capitaine de Hus Z*

▶️ Score: 37.8 + 4 – 41.8 (42nd)

📈XC Form: Ginny and Capitaine de Hus Z come here in hot form, having won the 4*-L at Kronenberg in May. They jumped a quick clear across the country that day, adding just 2.8 time penalties. They were clear in the 4*-S at Marbach too, that time adding 14 time. They had a 20 in their season opener in the 4*-S at Burnham Market, and there are a couple of other jumping penalties on their record, but there are plenty of clear rounds too. Will they channel their Dutch luck today?
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Ginny and Capitaine de Hus Z are clear to the big combination at fence 15. And we’ve got another new starter…
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⭐New starter on course:

🇺🇲 Elisabeth Halliday and Shanroe Cooley*

▶️ Score: 35.7 + 0 – 35.7 (22nd)

📈XC Form: Liz is off to Paris in a couple of weeks as traveling reserve for the US team, but before that she’s having a spin ‘round Aachen with Shanroe Cooley. This 9-year-old gelding has shown some serious talent since starting his FEI career. From 19 runs, he’s got six wins on his card, three 2nds, two 3rds, a 4th, a 5th, an 8th and two 9ths. There’s also an 11th and one rider fall. But man, is that a record to be envious of. Aside from that one fall, there are zero XC jumping penalties on their record – not a single one. And we all know Liz is smoking hot quick. Time faults are almost always single figures for this guy. This pair are surely ones to watch 👀
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5:28am

Those frangible devices have had their say once more for Michi Jung. He’s had 11 penalties at 15A. He’s continued on and completed – 7.6 time for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇮🇪 Austin O’Connor and Isazsa*

▶️ Score: 35.1 + 4 – 39.1 (26th)

📈XC Form: Austin’s booked his place in Paris thanks to some awesome 5* results with his Olympic ride Colorado Blue, not least making the trip to Maryland last season and winning the whole dang thing. While ‘Salty’ makes his preparations for the big time, Austin’s here with 10-year-old mare Isazsa. She’s had a bit of a mixed season so far, with a 20 in the 4*-S at Thoresby in the spring, but we’ll put that down to her clearing her pipes, as she came back out in the 4*-S at Bramham – known for being a tough track – with a clear round and just 6.8 time penalties, ending up in 10th place. That 20 broke a streak of 8 clear XC jumping rounds, and the only other penalties on her card were way back in 2021 in the Nations Cup event at Houghton Hall. That’s a clear rate of 18 from 20 FEI runs. She’s not always the quickest across the country – Bramham was one of her best rounds at the level – but Austin’s one heck of a quick rider, so we’ll see whether he’s got his pedal to the mettle today.
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Austin’s clear up to fence 12. He’s kicking on as he comes down the hill towards 13. He gets a great shot over that big log over the water. He’s motoring along looking very confident.

5:24am

We’re hearing of more troubles at the skinny brush at 10B – another drive by, this time for Carla Brunner and Brookwood Supersable. They carry 20 penalties as they continue on their way.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Michael Jung and Kilcandra Ocean Power*

▶️ Score: 30.2 + 12 – 42.2 (33rd)

📈XC Form: Former Olympic, World and European champion Michael Jung needs no introduction to eventing fans, or show jumping fans, or indeed dressage fans. He’s basically Super Michi Jung, here to give us a masterclass, once again. Hope I haven’t just jinxed him, but he’s had the most cross country clears at Aachen of all the riders in the field, so we’ll go with the stats over any kind of woo woo I may/may not be able to conjure up. Anyway – this gelding has a rare 20 penalties on his last trip here in 2022, just one of two he’s had in 26 FEI runs with Michael. He’s here off the back of a 4th place finish in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen last month, where he added just 5.6 XC time penalties to his dressage of 27.1, and a 3rd place in the 4*-S at Wiesbaden, where he picked up 10.4 time. Will he put his 20 here last time to bed today? Never bet against Michi.
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We see Michi having to work hard through the water complex at 7AB – he had to make that happen. He kicks on his way. Meanwhile, Carla has completed with 21.6 time and 20 jumping.

5:19am

Things are looking a little sticky in places for Morgane and Fixin de Conde. They’re clear through to fence 15.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇨🇭 Carla Brunner and Brookwood Supersable*

▶️ Score: 45.9 + 0 – 45.9 (41st)

📈XC Form: Young Swiss eventer Carla brings fellow Aachen competitor Ian Cassells’s former ride, 9-year-old mare Brookwood Supersable forward. They had a 20 on their last run in the 4*-L at Baborowko in Poland in May, where they ended up 6th. They were clear inside the time in the 4*-S at Lignières last season, and were clear ‘round the 4*-S Nations Cup in Arville, but had a 20 in the Nations Cup event in Avenches. So a bit of a mixed bag of results for them. They’ve proved they can be clear and quick, but they can also have a green mistake, and Carla doesn’t always have her foot on the accelerator. Let’s see how they get on today.
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Brookwood Supersable is a bit hesitant over fence 4, but Carla gives him a pat and they continue on with their round. They’re tidy through the water at 7AB. Meanwhile, Morgane is through the water at 18AB. She’s down on the clock at this point. They take the flag with them at 19B, but all looks OK. They come into the main arena and rattle the gate on the way into the water. They come through the keyhole and it’s big pats and a huge smile and wave from Morgane. 10.8 time for them.

5:15am

Andrew makes the open corners at 19ABC look relatively easy, but the clock turns red as he makes his way into the main arena – he’s carrying that 20 from fence 10B. No problems for them through the arena and they fly through the keyhole and over the finish line. 20 jumping, 16.4 time for them. Meanwhile, Kirsty is clear through to the triple rail at 12.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇫🇷 Morgane Euriat and Fixin de Conde*

▶️ Score: 36.5 + 8 – 44.5 (40th)

📈XC Form: It’s a clean sweep in terms of XC jumping clears for Morgane and 9-year-old gelding Fixin de Conde from their 10 FEI competitions together, and they’re proving to be pretty speedy to boot. In their two previous runs at 4* (both short format), they’ve kept time penalties to single figures. This is their first time competing outside France, so let’s see how they take to this German track – ‘Bon chance’ Morgane!
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Kirsty navigates her way past the driving obstacles between 13 and 14 as we see Morgane doing a great job of holding things together through the water at 7AB. Kirsty is really quick to get to the main arena and is absolutely flying. The clock turns red as they leave the water, they pop through the keyhole and cross the finish – 5.6 time penalties for them. The first score in for the British, it’s not counting at the minute but is a decent score for them to fall back on if needs be.

EN’s coverage of CHIO Aachen in 2024 is brought to you with support from Deirdre Stocker Vaillancourt Real Estate, your prime choice for Aiken, SC property!

5:10am

Oh! Another drive by at 10B – this time for Andrew Hoy. They just slipped past it. That momentum down the hill just seems to carry them along a bit too much. A shame for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇬🇧 Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI*

▶️ Score: 34.3 + 9.2 – 43.5 (35th)

📈XC Form: ‘Betty’ has racked up three wins, two second places, two thirds, a fourth and a fifth at 4*-S, most recently taking 3rd place at Kronenberg this season, where she added just 3.2 XC time penalties to her dressage of 29.8. Last season, she won the 4*-S at Lisgarvan House, Ireland, after finishing on her dressage score of 26. She’s also a 5* runner-up (Luhmuhlen 22), so there’s no questioning this mare’s experience or ability as she heads out onto the Aachen cross country for the third time. Kirsty’ll be hoping it’s third time lucky, as Aachen hasn’t necessarily been this pair’s pal in the past, with a 20 in each of their two previous runs. Let’s hope they can put those mistakes well and truly behind them today. EquiRatings has this mare down as the fastest horse in the field today. Blink and you may well miss ‘em.
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Andrew continues on after that 20 at fence 10B. He gives a bit of vocal encouragement over the hanging log over the river and they fly that. They manage the complex at 15ABCD really cleanly. Meanwhile, Kirsty’s at the first water and is quickly clear through there.

5:07am

James is clear through the double of gates at 16AB – he’s looking very smooth and confident. He’s good on the clock as he skips through the water at 18AB. Oh, they’re brilliant through the corner combination at 19ABC – total class. He flies into the main arena and makes absolutely nothing of the tricky fences in there. They’re close on their time. Coming to the finish. They clear the last just 6 seconds over. That’s 2.4 time for them – 38.4 overall. A great round from them – and a great Aachen.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇦🇺 Andrew Hoy and Cadet de Beliard*

▶️ Score: 35.1 + 8 – 43.1 (34th)

📈XC Form: In 27 FEI competitions, Cadet de Beliard has just one XC jumping penalty on his record, which came back in 2021 when he was piloted by France’s Tom Carlisle. He jumped clear inside the time last season in the 4*-L at Strzegom with Andrew to finish 3rd. Most recently he was 5th in the 4*-S at Kronenberg in May, where he added 19.2 time penalties to his dressage of 31.5 and rolled two poles to add a further 8. That’s the most time he’s ever had though – he’s generally inside or low single figures. One thing’s for sure, he couldn’t have a more experienced rider in the irons and he’s well-used to going eventing in Europe, with the majority of his runs having taken place on the continent.
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News in for Christoph Wahler and D’Accord FRH – they’ve been eliminated for missing fence 10B.

5:03am

Caroline and CBI Aldo seem to have settled into their round as they come to fence 14. Meanwhile, we have our first US combination on course…
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⭐New starter on course:

🇺🇲 James Alliston and Karma*

▶️ Score: 36 + 0 – 36 (23rd)

📈XC Form: Over from the US, James is sitting pretty on the best cross country horse in the field according to EquiRatings. The 10-year-old mare has just 9 FEI runs under her cinch, and ignoring the first one, she’s got five finishes on her dressage on her record and six XC clears inside the time. The two occasions when she didn’t make the time, she wasn’t a million miles off. That all translates to three wins and two 2nds – seriously, this mare is one to watch 👀
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We see James get off to a confident start and then go back to Caroline and CBI Aldo. They’re through the double of gates at 16AB. The clock turns red as they come round to the water at AB, but with those early problems that’s not surprising. Caroline comes very quietly up to the big open corner at 19A, really setting Aldo up. They’re neat through there and then gallop on into the main arena. He leaves a leg on the gate into the water but Caroline sits tight and then pushes on to the finish line – 151.2 is their overall score.

5:01am

Sam and Ballyneety Rocketman are looking keen as we see them at the big combination at 15ABCD – they’re flying thus far.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇳🇿 Caroline Powell and CBI Aldo*

▶️ Score: 36.2 + 8 – 44.2 (39th)

📈XC Form: Badminton hero Caroline Powell heads to Paris in the traveling reserve role with her newly minted 5* winner Greenacres Special Cavalier. She’s here with the 9-year-old gelding CBI Aldo, who’s had a bit of a mixed bag of results thus far in his FEI career. He showed his inexperience at his first attempt at 5* in the spring, and Caroline sensibly put her hand up and walked him home. Before that, he’d come 4th in the 4*-S at Oudkarspel in the Netherlands, where he added just 7.2 XC time to his dressage score across the competition. He was a fair bit slower ‘round the 4*-S at Kronenberg this season, adding 17.2 time penalties that day. How will he go at Aachen? Let’s see.
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Caroline’s showing as having had problems at fence 3 – we didn’t see it but the live leaderboard is saying they’ve had 2 refusals at 3 and there’s a flag question at 4. We see them through the water at 7AB, looking well enough. Meanwhile, Sam’s in the main arena and clear jumping. He’s over the time already and finishes with 13.2 time penalties. But overall that looks to have been a good round for them.

5am

We’re seeing a couple of problems for Christoph and D’Accord. They have a drive by at the skinny brush arrowhead at 10B and then pick up more penalties when they come back round. They continue on but there’s another problem at the water at 18 – D’Accord stops at the hanging log in. Christoph brings him back round and they tentatively drop in and continue on. What a shame for them, and unusual for this horse I think. But they make their way into the main arena and Christoph will be trying to build D’Accord’s confidence over the final couple of fences.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇮🇪 Sam Watson and Ballyneety Rocketman*

▶️ Score: 40 + 4 – 44 (38th)

📈XC Form: EquiRatings’ brainbox and World Championships medalist, Sam comes to Aachen with Ballyneety Rocketman fresh from a win in the 4*-L at Millstreet in May, where he added just 9.6 XC time to his dressage score across the competition. He’s been on hot form in both his FEI events this season, very nearly finishing on his dressage score in the 4*-S at Ballindenisk in his first run of the year, claiming 5th place. He had an uncharacteristic 20 in the 4*-L Nations Cup at Boekelo last year, but they were the only jumping penalties in his five runs of the season. We know Sam’s quick – in terms of brain power and speed across the country – and this gelding seems to be a good match. Even with a 20 at Bokelo he only had 9.2 time penalties. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em!
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Christoph and D’Accord come through the finish – the score has a bit of a question mark over it on the leaderboard, so I’ll update once things are confirmed.

4:54am

Philip is clear through to fence 16AB – the double of gates. All good so far for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Christoph Wahler and d’Accord FRH*

▶️ Score: 31.2 + 12.8 – 44 (37th)

📈XC Form: Fun fact – d’Accord has the same sire as Tom McEwen’s potential Olympic mount and Kentucky runner-up JL Dublin. He was top-10 on his 5* debut at Kentucky this year, arriving in the States off the back of a 2nd place in the 4*-S at Strzegom, where he added just 2.4 XC time penalties to his dressage of 32.8. He was clear inside the time in the 4*-L Nations Cup at Boekelo last season and finished on his dressage in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen on his way to 2nd place. He’s on a streak of 9 XC clears – you have to go back to Jardy in 2022 to find a jumping penalty – and he was inside the time in 7 of those runs, adding just 2.4 time in the other two. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em!
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Philip takes the flag at the big open corner at 19A, but it looks to be OK. He splashes into the water in the main arena and is delighted when he flies through the finish. He’s pointing at Amansara. Great work from them. Clear with 9.6 time.

4:50am

Arthur and Pumba have made their way to the double of gates at 16AB – he taps the gate and there’s a bit of a shake of the head, he’ll perhaps be very glad to see the finish flags today. He makes his way through the water at 18 and runs on into the arena towards home.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇨🇭 Philip Ryan and Amansara*

▶️ Score: 38.2 + 12 – 50.2 (44th)

📈XC Form: This mare has had some very good form since stepping up to 4* last season, jumping clear across the country in all but her first attempt at the level, with just an 11 penalties for activating a frangible device in the 4*-L at Strzegom in April upsetting the list of zeros. They were 4th in the 4*-S at Montelibretti at the end of last year, where they added just 2.4 time penalties to their dressage of 37.5. They were quick ‘round the Nations Cup event there this spring too, adding just 3.6 XC time that day and finishing up 9th. So they can be clear, and they can be quick – will the two come together here at Aachen today?
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Meanwhile, Pumba rattles the fence into the water in the arena too, but they’re through there, over the last and through the finish – 20 jumping, 18 time, and there’s a missed flag in there also for a further 15 penalties.

4:46am
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⭐New starter on course:

🇫🇷 Arthur Marx and Church’ile*

▶️ Score: 38.3 + 8 – 46.3 (42nd)

📈XC Form: Arthur’s in Aachen with family homebred ‘Pumba’, whose dam and grand-dam were competed by Arthur’s dad. Fun fact – as well as running his barn at home, Arthur works in a stationery shop each morning. This pair came here last year and had a bit of a tricky time out on course, adding 35 penalties (20 jumping, 15 for a missed flag) as well as 20.4 time. Generally though, XC jumping penalties have come at 5* for them, with 10 clears from 11 runs at 4*, six of them inside the time (including both long and short format). He had a tricky time at Badminton in the spring and will be looking to get a good clear under his girth here today, hopefully a quick one.
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It’s a dramatic start for Arthur as Pumba sets off on his back legs. He sure looks keen this morning. They mark the start of the team competition. While Arthur’s hanging on, Lara’s setting up for the hanging log into the water at 18A. They turn in the air over the house in the water and comes round to the big corner complex at 19ABC. They weave through there and then over the road towards the main arena. She’s looking pure class. Lara crosses the line with a huge smile on her face – 6 seconds over. Oh no! Arthur’s had a run out at 6C – the narrow brush in the water. He kind of flew past there. He continues on though.

4:43am

Dirk Schrade is coming to the water at 18AB now – Casino’s ears are pricked and he looks to be relishing his job here today. He’s a little down on the clock as he heads towards the main arena.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇧🇪 Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Ducati d’Arville

▶️ Score: 31 + 0 – 31 (10th)

📈XC Form: Lara’s on great form having become Belgium’s first ever 5* winner a few weeks ago at Luhmuhlen. She brings Ducati d’Arville back to Aachen after finishing 10th here last year, jumping clear XC and adding just 2.8 time. This gelding is a cross country machine! In 33 FEI competitions, there’s nary a jumping penalty on his record – not one or any – zero. And he’s speedy to boot. He was clear inside the time in the 4*-L Nations Cup final at Boekelo last season on his way to coming 2nd and he’s only ever had time penalties clocking up into double figures twice – once was here in 2022, and it 10.4. He’s had two 4*-S runs this season – he was 5th at Kronenberg where he added 4.4 XC time and 2nd at Baborowko where had 1.6 XC time (and, incidentally, 1.6 SJ time also). This pair could very well be ones to watch 👀
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Dirk gets a clap from the home crowd as he comes into the arena. The clock turns red as he drops into the water and he flies through and round to the final fence and over the line – 6.4 time for them. Meanwhile, Lara’s out on her second ride – she’s up at the hanging log at 14 and clear so far.

4:40am

David Doel is clear through to the water at 18, from what we’ve seen, this looks to have been a very smooth ride. He’s heading into the final stages of the course.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Dirk Schrade and Casino 80

▶️ Score: 32 + 0 – 32 (12th)

📈XC Form: Dirk’s another one who’s under scrutiny from the Olympic selectors this weekend, but this experienced eventer’s unlikely to let the pressure get to him having been a team gold medalist at London 2012 and the World Championships in Caen in 2014. Dirk’s had the ride on Casino 80 since 2020 and they’ve had a busy season thus far after a very quiet 2023, with five FEI runs under their cinch already, including a 2nd place in the 4*-L at Marbach, where he added just 4.4 XC time to his dressage score of 28.8. He had 4.4 XC time in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen also, to finish just outside the top-10. They do have a 20 on their card this year; that came at in the 4*-S at Strzegom in April, but they’ve jumped clear in their three runs since. Casino’s been here before, back in 2019 with previous rider Peter Thomsen; he was eliminated on the cross country that day. Fingers crossed that history doesn’t in fact repeat itself.
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Dirk is clear through the combination at 11AB. But we go back to David and some problems in the main arena. He has a bit of a stumble up the step out of the water and has to circle before the B element – a really late 20 penalties for them. They cross the line – 16 time for them. That’s a real shame, but the gelding’s only a 9-year-old so will have gained an awful lot from his trip round here today.

4:35am

Calvin is absolutely flying – for sure this is the quickest we’ve seen so far.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇬🇧 David Doel and Kenzo Power B

▶️ Score: 39.1 + 8 – 47.1 (43rd)

📈XC Form: Eventer/ice-cream man and all-around nice guy, David’s here as an individual for Britain with 9-year-old gelding Kenzo Power B. Known for enjoying the European circuit, David’s focused on events primarily in the Netherlands with this guy, since taking on the ride from Belgian rider Geert Adriaensen in 2022, with a trip to Arville last season and runs at Chatsworth and Ballindenisk sprinkled in, you know, for a bit of variety. The gelding hasn’t had a single XC jumping penalty in 14 FEI competitions, although the time penalties have crept up slightly since making the step up to 4* this season – he added 13.2 last time out, on his way to 4th in the 4*-S at Maarsbergen last month. Their European campaign continues here today – how will he find eventing in Germany?
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David’s coming down to the Rolex water at 7AB and gets a very good line through there. Very neat, if a little steady. Someone who’s not steady is Calvin. He’s over the water at 18AB and is now at the big corner complex at 19. He’s looking likely to be there or thereabouts on the time. He flies into the main arena and takes on the water complex in there. He’s through the keyhole and is inside the time! 30.9 – into second for them.

EN’s coverage of CHIO Aachen in 2024 is brought to you with support from Deirdre Stocker Vaillancourt Real Estate, your prime choice for Aiken, SC property!

4:28am

Unfortunately we haven’t seen much of Julia’s round. Like, at all, really. We see her in the main arena coming home. She’s over the finish line and she’s left the door ajar – 6.4 time penalties for them – she’s in the lead on 30.3. Will she hang on?
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⭐New starter on course:

🇦🇹 Lea Siegl and Van Helsing P

▶️ Score: 28.6 + 4 – 32.6 (15th)

📈XC Form: The youngest eventer at the last edition of the Olympics (where she was 15th individually), Lea finished top-20 at Aachen in 2022 with her Tokyo ride DSP Fighting Line. She’s headed to Paris in a couple of weeks, but before that, she’s here at Aachen with Van Helsing P, her European Championships ride and the winner of the 4*-S Nations Cup at Strzegom last season. They had a 20 at Le Pin au Haras and retired on course, but that looks to be a bit of a blip in an otherwise generally clean record. They were 9th in the Nations Cup in Avenches this season, where they jumped clear and added 22.4 time penalties, but no one made the time that day. This gelding can be quick – he finished on his dressage on his way to winning the 4*-L at Montelibretti last year, and added just 3.2 time faults when he won at Strzegom. If things come together for them, this could be a combination to watch 👀
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Lea’s clear to the water at 18, but we haven’t really seen anything of her round. We are, however, seeing plenty of Calvin… Here’s a bit about him:
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom of the Opera

▶️ Score: 30.9 + 0 – 30.9 (9th)

📈XC Form: This 23-year-old (Calvin, not Phantom, who, incidentally, is the former ride of fellow Aachen competitor and compatriot Sandra Auffarth) has been making a bit of a name for himself since becoming the new kid on the block of the senior ranks, and is one of the riders the Olympic selectors are keeping a close eye on with regard to designated alternates for Paris. They had a green 20 at Kentucky on their 5* debut, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they’re inexperienced at 4*, because they’re not. They’ve had 9 FEI runs together at the level over the last three years, including three 4*-S Nations Cup appearances – coming 9th in the at Strzegom this season where they added just 4.8 time penalties in the cross country, 10th at Jardy where they added 2.4 time, and 7th at Arville where they went clear inside the time. They’re exciting up-and-comers in the world of German eventing, that’s for sure.
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Calvin and Phantom are clear through the combination at 10AB and then quickly through 11AB. He’s got his foot down today, that’s for sure. Meanwhile, we finally see Lea crossing the finish line – 5.2 time for her, putting her in 3rd as things stand and on track for a top-10 finish.

4:21am

Lauren comes through the finish 20 seconds over the time for 11.6 penalties. A good solid round for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇰 Peter T. Flarup and Impressed

▶️ Score: 39.6 + 4 – 43.6 (36th)

📈XC Form: Another rider headed to Paris this month, Danish Olympian and World Championships rider Peter has brought this 11-year-old gelding up through the levels, and spent last season building up a fair bit of experience at the 4*-S level. In 18 FEI competitions, this gelding has just one jumping and one flag penalty on his record. He came out this season and took 3rd in the 4*-S at Kristianstad, in season, jumping clear across the country and adding 8.8 time. Generally, time has been where he’s added, with penalties usually in the mid-teens and into the twenties; he tends to get closer to the time at long format. He was clear jumping with 21.2 time last time out at Wiesbaden in May. How will he find Aachen?
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Unfortunately Peter has trouble at the Rolex water at 7AB – he runs past the angled brush shoulder in the water. There’s also a flag question at 3 for them. A couple of questions for them on the live leaderboard – I’ll update once things are confirmed.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21

▶️ Score: 23.9 + 0 – 23.9 (2nd)

📈XC Form: Reigning Olympic Champion Julia is – realistically, according to the ‘Block’ she’s sitting in on the nominated list – vying for an alternate spot for Paris, following the retirement of Tokyo mount Amande de B’Neville, who’s busy at home growing a mini ‘Mandy’. Although, she’s heading out onto cross country as clubhouse leader – Aachen is hers to lose. Nickel may not have the same kind of experience as Julia’s mare, but man, does he make up for it in pure talent, and EquiRatings have him down as second favorite for the win; he’s ranked as the second best cross country horse in the field. Since the beginning of the 2023 season, he’s racked up two wins, two 2nds, two 3rds, and a 5th, 7th and two 9th place finishes. That’s in 11 FEI runs. Yup, count ‘em up. The single anomaly is the 4*-L Nations Cup event at Boekelo last season, when he was leading going into cross country and then was one of many that day to have a trip at the water, giving Julia an early bath (she wasn’t the only one). He’s got just that fall and one other on his record, and a whole bunch of clear XC jumping – 20 clear rounds to be precise. And yup, you guessed it, he’s quick too. The most time penalties he’s ever had is 10; he had 3.2 in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen this season, where an expensive pole in the show jumping dropped them down to 9th. If you’re looking for clear and quick today, these guys are ones to watch 👀
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Peter’s continuing on his way to the narrow gate at 16. Julia is out on course but we’re with Peter for now. Peter’s at the penultimate water complex at 19ABC but the clock’s already turned red for them. They’re carrying that refusal and there is a 15 for the flag at 3 showing up for them too. He comes into the main arena and is almost there now. He comes through the water combination in there and then takes the keyhole. They complete on 136.

4:18am

You can hear the home support for Anna as she makes her way round the track. She’s up at the water at 18AB and drops in over the log and then makes a smooth turn to the house in the water. She weaves through the corners complex at 19 and then comes into the stadium towards the finish. They canter on through the water and the clock turns red. Through the keyhole finale and over the finish line. 2.8 time for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇳🇿 Lauren Innes and Global Fision M*

▶️ Score: 53.2 + 4 – 57.2 (45th)

📈XC Form: In real life, Lauren’s a full-time accountant and ‘Flipper’ spends his days in the field while Lauren’s at work. If you’re thinking you’re pretty sure Lauren’s British, you’re not wrong – she swapped to her dad’s nationality last season to compete under the Kiwi flag. Flipper is a true eventer, in it wholeheartedly for the cross country. He gets hot hot hot in the dressage, as you can see from his score, but get him in the start box and he’s 100% focused on the job at hand. He jumped clear ‘round Badminton in the spring (a feat he’s achieved three times, as well as producing a clear round at Burghley) and was clear in the 4*-S at Burnham Market in his season opener. In 39 FEI runs, he’s got XC jumping penalties on his card on just 5 occasions. He’s not going to be the quickest we see today, but the chances are he won’t be the slowest either. Let’s enjoy watching this true partnership in action.
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Lauren’s already at fence 13 before we see anything of her, sorry. They take on the hanging log at 14 and are clear to this point. Flipper has a little skip as he comes up the bank after the ditch, but he’s smooth over the wide brush at D and they make their way to the double of gates at 16. Flipper’s very neat over those two very upright fences and looks to be enjoying his time out on cross country far more than he likes dressage. They make an easy turn in the water at 18 and make their way into the stadium.

4:15am

Sandra’s now at the combination at 15ABCD – she gives the first part a rattle but no trouble there. Oh, she’s pulling up at the same spot Christoph did – German team orders perhaps?
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Anna Siemer and FRH Butt’s Avondale

▶️ Score: 36.4 + 4 – 40.4 (29th)

📈XC Form: As are all the German riders here at Aachen, Anna’s on the Olympic selectors’ radar, likely for a slot as an alternate reserve. This is her fourth trip to Aachen with FRH Butt’s Avondale; last year they jumped clear and added 4.4 XC time, finishing up in 16th due to an expensive couple of poles in the show jumping. They were clear inside the time in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen last month and finished on their dressage on their way to a win in the 4*-L at Sopot in Poland in May. They had a 20 in the Nations Cup 4*-L at Boekelo last season and another one earlier in the season; they retired out on course here at Aachen in 2022. By far and large though, this is a gelding who should jump clear across the country, with those errors blips in an otherwise clean record. When he has them, time penalties are in single figures. We should be looking at a solid round from this experienced pairing, let’s see if the form holds up.
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Anna’s actually been on course for a little while and is at the triple rail at fence 12. She looks like she’s feeling a bit more competitive than the other German riders thus far. They come down to the hanging log at 14 and make nothing of that. And now they’re at the bank complex at 15ABCD – she makes light work of that and kicks on.

4:10am

Christoph and Carjatan make nothing of the water ditch at 13 – it’s basically a river running under a hanging log. They cruise through the big combination at 15 and then Christoph decides to put his hand up – Paris very much on his mind.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz

▶️ Score: 29.9 + 0 – 29.9 (7th)

📈XC Form: Hoping to secure her spot on the the flight to Paris, former World Champion and three-time Olympic medalist Sandra brings 2022 Aachen winner – and, according to EquiRatings, one of the highest rated horses in the field – Viamant du Matz for another spin ‘round. They picked up too many time penalties to be competitive here last year – 17.2 – but have been quick enough in their two 4*-S runs this season, adding 7.2 XC time at Strzegom and 5.6 for 6th place at Luhmuhlen for 5th. You have to go all the way back to Tokyo to find a XC jumping penalty on their record, and then here in 2019 to find another. Impressively, from 54 FEI competitions, this gelding has just two non-completions, and has had XC jumping penalties on just 6 occasions. They’re on a streak of 15 clear cross country rounds and are – you guessed it – ones to watch 👀
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Sandra and Viamant seem to be having some troubles at 10AB – an early problem for them. They fly the brush at the top of the hill but then have a drive by at the skinny brush. They come back round and carry on, but that’ll take them out of contention here today. That’s a blow for her but she’ll put it behind her as she continues on round this track.

4:05am
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⭐Second horse on course:

🇩🇪 Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S

▶️ Score: 28 + 0 – 28 (3rd)

📈XC Form: Currently looking likely for an elusive spot on the German Olympic team (final decisions will be made following the weekend’s competition), Christoph’s no stranger to the championships podium with his compatriots, having won team gold at Pratoni. He’s here with last year’s Aachen 4th place finisher – and, according to EquiRatings, amongst the highest rated horses in the field – Carjatan S, who added just 1.6 XC time to his dressage of 33.6 twelve months ago. This impressive gelding has been runner-up at Luhmuhlen 5* (in 2021, where he finished on his dressage of 32.1), 4th at the European Championships (2023) and winner of the 4*-S at Baborowko, Poland two years running, meaning he comes here straight off the back of a win there, where he clocked up just 3.6 XC time (and 0.4 in the show jumping) to finish on 32.7; last year he finished on his dressage of 27.9. He had a bit of a blip at Marbach in the 4*-S in May, activating two frangible devices for 22 penalties, one of only five occasions where he’s had a mistake on course from 47 FEI competitions. Ones to watch methinks… 👀
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Christoph doesn’t look to have gone out flying, probably with Paris on his mind. There’s a question mark for a flag at fence 3, we’ll have to wait on confirmation for that. They drop down into the water at 6ABC and Christoph makes a tight line between the B and C elements. They gallop off towards the solid table at 8. We’re hearing that the flag penalties have been given, but that may be reviewed further. They make the tricky combination at 10AB look very simple and then loop back to the combination at 11AB – that comes up very quickly. All very straightforward so far for them.

4am

So far so good for Lara and Hermione. She’s making this tricky track look really quite easy. They’re up at the double of gates at 16AB. They come up to a rustic upright gate and then comes down the decline to another rustic gate. She’s spot on the time. They come to the second water at 18 and make a lovely sweeping line to the house in the water at B. They make nothing of the corners combination at 19 – a big open corner at A, over a brush topped box and then onto another open corner at C. No problems. They’re similarly smooth through the water in the main arena and then over the last. 3.6 time for them – what a great first round. That’ll give the others to go a whole bunch of confidence.

3:58am
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⭐First out on course:

🇧🇪 Lara de Liedekeike-Meier and Hermione d’Arville

▶️ Score: 34.1 + 0 – 34.1 (19th)

📈XC Form: Since the beginning of the 2023 season, this mare has had XC jumping penalties twice in 10 runs and has jumped clear in all of her four runs this season. When she’s clear, she’s quick – she’s been inside the time at long format, finishing 3rd at Montelibretti last year, and generally keeps penalties to single figures at short format. She was 7th in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen last year, where she jumped a speedy clear with just 3.2 time penalties, and followed that up with a clear jumping and 2.8 time at the Nations Cup leg in Jardy. She had 4.4 time in her most recent run in the 4*-S at Baborowko where she finished 6th. Lara’s on a high after her Luhmuhlen 5* win – will that carry her clear and quick ‘round the track today? We’ll soon see!
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And they’re off over the first and getting the competition at Aachen started. They fly the hay cart at fence 2 and then take the solid corner at 3 – riders get to choose to go right or left there. The first water comes at 6ABC – they’re over the skinny brush roll top and then over the bridge into the water. The narrow brush in the water is no bother for them, it’s a tricky line through there but Lara and Hermione make absolutely nothing of it. That’ll have given Lara confidence at the start of this course. They’re just as good through the tricky combination at 10AB and come round to the wide brush and angled log at 11AB. Oh no, Hermione’s lost a shoe – we see it fly off. Lara’s aware though. Let’s hope that it doesn’t affect them.

EN’s coverage of CHIO Aachen in 2024 is brought to you with support from Deirdre Stocker Vaillancourt Real Estate, your prime choice for Aiken, SC property!