© Jan Smith

With Australia placed second in the teams in the Aachen CIC3* after the dressage and showjumping phases there was hope that they could repeat their win at Aachen 2016 but they did face a huge challenge to overhaul Germany who were in control with 105 points to Australia’s 122,7 with Sweden third on 135.8.  Cross country day was warm to hot but the picturesque course, largely in farmland adjacent to the main grounds, was in magnificent condition.  The crowds always amaze at this event, Germans truly love their horses and they are a generous audience, applauding good riding regardless of nationality.  Perhaps there is a more enthusiastic response to their star riders Ingrid Klimke and Michael Jung but they flocked to the course knowing they would be entertained.   I would estimate there must have been in the region of 100,000 plus on course, it was crowded!

The course was run over undulating country and was 3940 metres long with an optimum time of 6.55 minutes.  There were 27 obstacles and 35 efforts.  There was plenty of galloping time between the complexes and the going was close to perfect.  As always the final four fences were in the jumping stadium which was packed with spectators.

Katja Weimann gives the first fence plenty of air
© Jan Smith

Katja Weimann and BP Cosmopolitan were again trailblazers, having drawn first in the three phases, and rode a fantastic clear round for 8 time penalties and ultimately rose from thirty eighth to twenty second place in the final standings with a score of 74.2.   Emma McNab and Fernhill Tabasco had a few problems with one stop and time penalties for a final score of 85.4 and twenty eighth place and Isobel English and the pocket rocket Feldale Mouse had a clear round with only 2.4 time penalties to stop her finishing on her dressage score of 50.8. 

The big guns showed exactly why they were among the best in the world with Chris Burton and Nobilis 18 setting the crowd alight with a fast clear round to leave them in sixth place on 40.60 penalties and all eyes, especially the many Australians visiting, were on popular Shane Rose and the experienced CP Qualified took on the course in what was, by now, hot weather.  Shane and his lovely grey Holsteiner bred gelding did not disappoint going clear but pulling up a place from fourth to third.

So the good news was that Australia maintained their second position in the teams to Germany who only added 2 penalty points to their overnight score with Australia posting a score of 152.60 penalty points.  Shane Rose said on behalf of his team: “It is no defeat, coming second behind the German team. This team has been almost unbeatable for years. I am delighted and grateful that we are able to ride here in Aachen. The conditions, how we are looked after – I wish there were more shows like this in the world.” 

Ingrid Klimke was the overall individual champion with a dressage score untouched of 34.50 with Michael Jung a very close second with 34.70.  The prize money is fantastic with the winner receiving 31,000 Euro, down to 500 Euro for sixteenth place.

Source: Jan Smith