Boyd Exell in the Marathon phase.

By Equestian Life

Plenty of action today at CHIO Aachen!

FULL RESULTS.

IMAGE GALLERY.

Driving

Today saw the Marathon phase of the driving, where teams headed out on the same course the eventers galloped across in the morning. When you see the driving obstacles up close, you realise just how tight for space they are and it’s truly amazing these teams are able to guide four horses through them!

Boyd Exell, in the lead after the dressage phase a couple of days ago, was out to maintain his lead – and that he did. A mistake in one of the obstacles was costly and meant that he finished third in this phase (124.24) behind the two Dutch drivers, IJsbrand Chardon (121.04) and Koos de Ronde (117.59), however Boyd’s incredible dressage score means he will go into tomorrow’s cones/obstacles phase in the lead.

Koos de Ronde, Marathon winner.

Good luck Boyd!
 

Dressage

The Grand Prix Special CDIO5* was won by the seemingly unbeatable Isabell Werth and Bella Rose, with a huge score of 84.47%. However, it was not unanimous as the judges at M and B had them in second place with them seeing the beautiful Showtime with Dorothee Schneider in the lead and what a stunning horse he is and a score of 83.617%. They are closing the gap and the judges’ opinions. In third place was the expressive Erlentanz for Charlotte Dujardin, but a little way back on 80.277%.

Isabell Werth and Bella Rose.

The class was well received but for the competitors, of which there were 29, it was a shame as it did clash with the cross country for the eventing and the marathon for the driving. Of course there were some very neat tests with 21 of the 29 scoring over 70%. The standard and quality of the riding and the horses is incredibly high with the top combinations outstanding.

It will be so great to see the last day with the Freestyle and see if Isabell can make it three starts and three wins!

Grand Prix Freestyle CDI4*

The Grand Prix CDI4* Freestyle saw Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour win with Atterupgaards Cassidy on 83.460%; a beautiful test. In second place was Ingrid Klime on Franziskus with 78.945%. A truly amazing effort from Ingrid; winning the eventing, then off to the “Ride and Drive”, before making a quick dash for the dressage stadium… and she still managed to look immaculate!

Third place went to Ulrike Prunthaller and Bartlgut's Quebec of Denmark wit 77.26%.

Intermediate I

What an absolute treat to watch some fantastic rising stars in the Inter I, BUT the risen star is shining more brightly than ever. The stunning black stallion moved around the test like a panther, with the ease and elegance you would expect from a seasoned Grand Prix horse. Glamourdale is simply 8 years old by the stallion Lord Leatherdale from a Negro mare. This stallion has been a world champion as a 7 year old and looks like this world champion status may well stick. There is no doubt that he won the hearts of the crowd and today he was in the presentation with Charlotte Fry like a pussy cat, unlike the PSG presentation where he exited stage at the bolt!!  This hose was truly breathtaking to score 80.42% with four of the five judges with him over 80%. We witnessed a very special performance and with pirouettes and canter half passes for high marks, in fact he doesn't have a weak link. Everything for 9 is in sight…..WOW.

Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale.

In second place was Gaudi Vita for Joyce Heuitink (NED) with a 73.2%, not a bad score and then Denoix PCH for the famous Hubertus Schmidt. What a class and what a glamour horse Glamourdale is. Can’t wait too see him again!!!!! A star continues to shine.

Jumping

The U25 competition was the first on in the Main Stadium today, and it was won by Richard Vogel and Lesson Peak. The pair jumped clear in the first round and the jump off alongside three other riders – however they completed the jump off in the quickest time to claim victory.

The Allianz-Prize, a jumping competition with a winning round, saw many big name riders in action. Ten riders progressed to the second round, with McLain Ward and Noche de Ronda jumping the fastest of three clears. It was great to se Ben Maher and F One USA finish in third place after Ben took a fall from the horse on the first day of competition here at Aachen. Second went to Martin Fuchs and Silver Shine.

The final of the jumping competition for young horses took place in the evening, and it was won by Garant, a KWPN gelding (Warrant x Verdi TN), ridden by American Elizabeth Madden.

Finally, the last event on the Main Arena was the “Ride and Drive”, and event that combines jumping, eventing, and driving. Chris Burton and Andrew Hoy both took part, bringing along specific horses for the occasion. It was a real spectacle that thrilled the crowd and (literally) tore up the turf. Ingrid Klimke rode the fastest, most breathtaking cross country round – is there any this women can’t do? She (eventing), Pius Schwizer (jumping) and Jerome Voutaz were the winning team. Chris Burton’s team was second, and the team with Andrew Hoy and Boyd Exell was third.

Eventing

The SAP Cup CCIO4*-S eventing came to a thrilling conclusion this morning at CHIO Aachen, with outstanding performances from the Australian team – Andrew Hoy, Chris Burton, Kevin McNab and Isabel English.

With the dressage and the showjumping completed yesterday, it all came down to the cross country. A notoriously tough course, designed this year by Rüdiger Schwarz, it asked many questions of horse and rider and saw seven of 41 started fail to finish, with a further eight accumulating jump penalties. Time was also hard to get – and in the end only the top three competitors finished the course without time penalties.

Isabel English was the first to go again, faced with the daunting job of being the pathfinder. Well, she couldn’t have done a better job. Power out of the gates, she and Feldale Mouse didn’t stop. They jumped clear, even taking the direct route through the tricky line at jump 21 A/B/C that Lucinda Green singled out as a potential issue on yesterday’s course walk. As an Aussie, we couldn’t have been more proud when we heard over the loudspeaker that she was through the final few jumps in the Main Stadium and home safe and sound with just 12.8 time penalties. Well done Isabel!

Isabel English and Feldale Mouse.

Chris Burton was the next Aussie on course with his first ride (and team horse), the black Polystar I. A rail yesterday in the showjumping was a little costly, and Chris was out to make up for it today. The pair powered through the course with ease, getting home clear and with just four time penalties to their name.

Chris Burton and Polystar I head for home.

Kevin McNab was also out to make up for yesterday, after having three rails in the showjumping. Another Aussie on a mission, and another great clear round. Aboard the Irish Sport Horse Willunga, he accumulated 9.6 time penalties, but it was a great effort for a horse relatively new to the level.

Kevin McNab and Willunga.

Towards the end of the field was Andrew Hoy and the impressive chestnut Vassily de Lassos, who Andrew took to WEG last year. What a ride! Andrew sits so securely in the saddle and never looks like he’s going anywhere; it was a smooth, controlled round and this horse can really jump. Clear, and just 1.2 time penalties – so close to going under time, and unfortunately even time faults that miniscule cost him a place in the end!

Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos.

The last Aussie to ride was Chris Burton and his second horse, Quality Purdey – who was not part of the Nations Cup team. This mare is super quick cross country and the pair never looked like having an issues; clear, and under time! These two were 14th after the dressage (and possibly deserved a slightly higher score!), moved up to ninth after a clear showjumping round… and then today’s brilliant ride saw them finish in third place! Chris and Quality Purdey produced one of only three under-time rounds of the day. The only other two riders to do this were Ingrid Klimke and Michael Jung, and they finished first and second respectively! Michael and Chris clocked exactly the same time (1 second under optimum time), while Ingrid was a second quicker.

Chris Burton and Quality Purdey.

The overnight leader, Laura Collett of Great Britain with London 52, had a stop at the C element of jump 21; this saw her drop to 20th place and opened the gate for the two German riders (and Chris) to fill the podium.

Where it all went wrong for Laura Collett.

So, in the end it was German Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD in first place on 24.7. What is even more amazing is that Ingrid has been riding her dressage horse, Franziskus, in the Grand Prix CDI4*.

Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD motor away from the Rolex water complex.

In second place, also for Germany, was Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH on 25.5. This horse won the event here at Aachen last year with his previous rider, Julia Krajewski – not a bad effort!

Chris Burton finished in third with Quality Purdey on a score of 27; unfortunately this wasn’t Chris’ Nations Cup team ride, but a brilliant effort and many proud Aussies watching on.

Tim Price on New Zealand and Wesko were fourth, dropping down two places from their overnight position after picking up 4.8 time penalties to finish on 28.6. It shows just how tight it is at the top these days… a few time penalties can make all the difference.

In fifth place was Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos on 29.5, Chris Burton and Polystar I ninth on 34.4, Kevin McNab and Willunga 16th on 48.5, and Isabel English 18th on 51.3. An amazing effort to have every Aussie combination home clear today on cross country!

The Nations Cup, as you might have figured out, went to Germany on a total of 94.5, with New Zealand the runners up on 102.7. The Australian team did us all proud to finish third on 112.4 – go Aussies!

Full report from Saturday at CHIO Aachen to come - stay tuned!

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