Emma McNab at Aachen CHIO 2017

© Jan Smith

Australian riders posted some impressive scores in the Dressage phase of the CIC3* yesterday with sub 40 scores from Shane Rose and CP Qualified with 36.70 penalty points and Emma McNab and the attractive bay gelding Fernhill Tabasco with 37.40 penalty points for fourth and sixth place respectively. Chris Burton was the third placed rider with Nobilis 18 in tenth place with 40.60 and Katja Weimann and BP Cosmopolitan had the daunting task of drawing first in the dressage that may have accounted for her 58.85 score. Individual rider Isobel English on the bouncy little grey Feldale Mouse were twenty seventh with 50.80 penalties.

Germany were unbeatable in the dressage filling the first three placings with scores ranging from 31.80 penalties to 34.70 with Sandra Auffarth Opgun Louvo finishing in the top position from crowd favourite Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob second and Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW third.

Isobel English at Aachen CHIO 2017

© Jan Smith

Katja Weimann could be excused for feeling a little disappointed in her draw, yes she also was first in the arena for the jumping. The track was a long galloping one and tested the horse’s concentration with big crowds watching. Katja and BP Cosmopolitan kept a lid on the nerves with two rails only down as did Emma McNab and Fernhill Tabasco.  Isobel English, Shane Rose and Chris Burton all posted clear rounds while Germany maintained their lead going into the cross country tomorrow.

And who will be first to tackle the picturesque but tough course? Katja Weimann. A case of lightening striking not twice but three times.

Katja looking sharp in the warm up

© Jan Smith

You could feel a little of Ireland’s pain, with Germany in the lead in the teams with a combined score of 105.00 penalties, Australia second with 122.700 and Sweden third with 135.800, Ireland managed to post a team score of 1104.800 penalties.

Source: Jan Smith