Jumping

The last time the “The Soldier’s Song”, the Irish national anthem, was played over the Holy Grass at the Soers was in 2010. Today, the time had come again. The show-jumpers from the green island were victorious in the Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup 2024. And that on the 70^th anniversary of the partnership between the automobile manufacturer with the star and the CHIO Aachen.

“To say that I am happy, is a total understatement. This has been on my bucket list for a while! It is an honour to be here,” said the Chef d’Équipe of Ireland, Michael Blake, radiating a certain satisfaction. With good reason too, after his team that was in fantastic form rode to victory in the Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup 2024. The heroes of the evening were Denis Lynch with Vistogrand, Bertram Allen with Pacino Amiro, Shane Sweetnam with James Kann Cruz and Cian O’Connor with Fancy de Kergane. Whereby the latter only had a part-time job this evening, because he didn’t even have to compete in the second round. The Irish team had already secured themselves the gold rosette after the third rider jumped clear.

Lynch, O’Connor, Sweetnam and Allen – it is the same team that claimed the European Championship title together in 2017. Back than it had been a “shamrock”, the Irish national symbol, that had brought the team luck. And lo and behold, Bertram Allen conjured up a neatly folded piece of paper out of his jacket pocket. Inside the same four-leaf clover that he had been carrying in Gothenburg, Allen assured. “I have been carrying it around with me for seven years! We are very superstitious…”

One might ask oneself whether it was the lucky charm that was mainly responsible for today’s victory or the skill of the horse and rider pairs involved. One thing is for sure, the four riders hadn’t been on a team together since Gothenburg and united again today they repeated their triumph. So it was definitely a very special victory for them: “That is the stuff that dreams are made of,” according to Shane Sweetnam. Cian O’Connor, who was also a member of the Irish team when they last won in Aachen in the year 2010 added: “It was the same adrenaline. It gets your blood racing. It is fantastic to be here! As always.”

The battle for second and third place was also thrilling. Mexico had travelled to Aachen on a wild card and the statistics of EquiRatings powered by SAP rated the team as total outsiders with only a 15-percent chance of making it onto the podium. The Brits on the other hand were at least estimated to have a 23 percent chance. Whereby their last Nations’ Cup victory was meanwhile 24 years ago. When the teams’ last rider entered the ring in the second round and Ireland was already the sure winner, it was clear: If Mexico’s and Great Britains’s final riders, Eugenio Garza Perez with Contago and Scott Brash with Hello Jefferson, jumped clear, both teams would have an overall score of four faults. Then, the time would decide who came second and who came third. And that is precisely what happened. And Mexico were faster. Their fan club on the stands went absolutely crazy as Garza Perez punched the air with his fist. It was a magical evening for him too.

“We are literally speechless. We are so grateful to the organisers for allowing us to take part. It is the most important show in the world. It is magic in every respect. To ride into this stadium gives you goosebumps. It is an amazing feeling, an adventure, a dream. We will never forget it,” is how Federico Fernandez summed up his feelings and those of his fellow team members Garza Perez, Nicolas Pizarro and Andres Azcarraga. The latter had flown in especially from Spruce Meadows. They also had an important message for their colleagues: “Thanks to the British for allowing us to come second!”

The Brits took it with dignity. Robert Whitaker summed up: “We were close to winning it. Everyone rode well and the horses jumped brilliantly. We are really happy with the result.”

And the Germans? Weren’t quite able to live up to their role as favourites that EquiRatings had predicted. Although Jana Wargers with Limbridge and the CHIO Aachen Nations’ Cup debutant Kendra Claricia Brinkop with Tabasco de Toxandria Z both jumped double clear, unfortunately André Thieme with Chakaria and Christian Kukuk with Mumbai both picked up four faults. A total of eight faults meant sixth place for the German team.

But there will be another Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup in Aachen in 2025, so they can try to win again next year. It was namely announced today that the partnership that dates back to 1954 is being extended.

It is the second time that rider, who was born in Egypt and now rides for Belgium, Abdel Saïd has competed at the CHIO Aachen. Today, he won his first gold rosette at the Soers in the STAWAG Prize.

Thanks to a 14-year-old French-bred mare called Arpege du Ru, who carried him to victory in a time of 63.04 seconds in the STAWAG-Prize, a 1.50-metre jumping competition. Just like yesterday Richard Vogel came second again with Cydello. Today, the pair reached the finish line in 63.45 seconds leaving McLain Ward (USA) behind them again, as in the Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe on Wednesday evening. Ward had saddled the eleven-year-old OS mare First Lady by Don Diarado, who Justine Tebbel brought on into the sport before the mare was sold to Ward in the United States in 2021, only to return to compete in Aachen three years later.

Abdel Saïd and his Apache d’Adriers daughter have been a team for five and a half years already and have notched up diverse victories together. But Said explained that winning here in Aachen today is something special. He was above all delighted for his mare. “She is incredible! She always gives 1000 percent in every class!” Which is why he was very confident when he entered the ring in the STAWAG-Prize: “Well, after all, we are here to in. Whether I had expected it – I have a good horse, I am not the worst of riders, so, at least I’d hoped to!” And he certainly reached his goal.

Arpege du Ru now has some time off. She has made her contribution towards her rider celebrating a successful weekend. Said now hopes to qualify for the Grand Prix on Sunday with the two horses he has brought to Aachen with him for the Big Tour.

The talented young horses opened the day in the Main Stadium of the Aachen Soers in the Sparkassen-Youngsters-Cup today. Nicola Philippaerts won the class with a horse that his father and his brother have competed with so far.

Belgian’s Nicola Philippaerts and the eight-year-old Selle Français gelding, Gadget Mouche by Andiamo Semilly, jumped to victory in 58.16 seconds in the second of three competitions that make up the Sparkassen-Youngsters-Cup. He finished ahead of the number one in the world rankings, Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), who had saddled the BWP stallion, Steely Dan by Hardrock Z. The pair took 59.11 seconds to master the 440-metre long, 1.45-metre high course that comprised of eleven obstacles and 13 fences. The Canadian show-jumper, Erynn Ballard, secured herself third place with the Zangersheide-bred mare, Marieke Z Santa Rosa by Moncler van Overis (60.06).

Nicola Philippaerts and Gadget Mouche already jumped clear into eight place in the first round of the youngsters tour on Tuesday. Even though Aachen is the pair’s first international performance. Un until now the gelding was primarily ridden by Philippaerts’ father Ludo and most recently by his younger brother, Thibault. There were pragmatic reasons for the change in rider: “I am allowed to ride here in Aachen this year and thought it would be a good arena for him. He proved today that he likes the stadium here in Aachen. And of course – when you come to Aachen you bring your best young horses with you, because this is always a special show.”

The fact that 20 of the 35 young horses that competed in the Sparkassen-Youngsters-Cup this afternoon jumped clear is an indication of how good the young horses here are. What makes Gadget Mouche special for Philippaerts? “I think he is very cool. He is not frightened and he has an inner calm. What’s more, he has a lot of scope and is careful. We have high hopes in him for the future.” It is not yet decided which of the Philippaerts brothers, whether Nicola or Thibault, will profit from the young talent in future. “We haven’t planned that yet. First of all we planned for him to compete in Aachen and we’ll see what happens after that. I hope we do well in the Final!” The Final that will be decided by a jump-off is on the agenda on Saturday.

Willem Greve notched up the biggest victory in his career at The Dutch Masters after riding to victory with Highway TN N.O.P in the Rolex Grand Prix. An interview with the 41-year-old Dutch rider, who is now travelling to the CHIO Aachen as the contender for the Rolex Grand Slam.

The jump-off in the Rolex Grand Prix was particularly exciting at The Dutch Masters this year. What was it like for you?

Being the last to go in a jump-off is always a special challenge. I started warming up really early so that I could watch Martin Fuchs and Henrik von Eckermann ride. When I saw Martin’s round, I thought it wouldn’t be possible to go any faster. But Henrik actually succeeded in beating his time. I would never have believed that I could ride even faster than that. But my horse jumped superbly. Heading for the last oxer we found the ideal approach, everything simply went perfectly. That was an incredible feeling. Winning a class like that, and to top it all off in front of your home crowd, is an absolute dream. Everything about this moment was simply perfect.

Your sports partner for this special victory was Highway TN N.O.P. What is he like?

He is a stallion with an incredible attitude. He is very careful and at the same time extremely ambitious. We have been a team now for over five years and know each other inside out. I know that I can always rely on him in decisive moments and he always goes that extra mile in the ring.

The Rolex Grand Slam is a prestigious series on the international jumping circuit. What do you think distinguishes the four Majors?

The Rolex Grand Slam is the crowning glory of our sport. Everything is in a class of its own at all of the Majors. The best riders and the best horses compete there. It is like Wimbledon or Roland Garros in tennis. Being able to take part at these shows is an honour for us riders.

Only one rider has ever succeeded in winning the Rolex Grand Slam to-date: Scott Brash. How high do you think the probability is that another show-jumper will manage to pull off this feat again?

I think the longer the series exist, the more all of us are realising, how incredible Scott’s performance actually was. But McLain Ward got really close again last year. So, I guess nothing is impossible in our sport. But winning three times in a row, is definitely a huge challenge. Especially since the four Majors and the related demands they place in the riders are so different.

You are travelling to the CHIO Aachen as the contender for the Rolex Grand Slam. Does that put you under a certain amount of pressure or are you taking the whole thing quite calmly?

I am simply proud that I am going to be able to compete in Aachen and will try to prepare my horses as well as I can for this show. I have ridden in Aachen twice so far. I had a very good week one time, and a not so good one the other. All of the horses I am taking with me to Aachen this year have never jumped in this impressive Main Stadium before. So, I am very eager to see how it goes.

What standing does the CHIO Aachen have for you?

Aachen is simply Aachen. This show can´t be compared to any other show in the world and I am so pleased that I am able to compete there again this year.

The Course Designer, Frank Rothenberger, prophesied it: Richard Vogel is going to be the man to beat in the Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe. How right he was.

In line with the tenth anniversary of the partnership between the CHIO Aachen and Turkish Airlines, it was Richard Vogel, who left his fellow competitors trailing behind in the Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe 2024. Twelve of the 45 pairs had reached the jump-off, including seven from Germany. Vogel was already extremely successful at the CHIO Aachen last year. And in four competitions so far this year he already rode to victory in one and came twice three times. After his triumph earlier this morning he joked that he wanted to continue his series of top placings, but added immediately that it would hardly be possible. And yet he has now added a further victory to his list of top placings after winning the Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe. His fantastic, ten-year old Chaman son, Cepano Baloubet, carried him to victory.

Vogel and Cepano Baloubet were the ninth pair in the jump-off. Up until then McLain Ward (USA) and Callas were in the lead after a perfect round. When Vogel entered the ring, the spectators started to clap rhythmically and cheered him on. It wasn’t hard to guess who was the crowd’s favourite on Wednesday evening. And Vogel’s fans weren’t disappointed. From the first fence onwards, the man who comes from Baden-Württemberg took advantage of the natural speed and agility of his chestnut gelding. The clock stopped at 42.44 seconds, an incredible 1.62 seconds faster than Ward and Callas, although no one would have believed their time could be beaten. Thunderous applause broke out and on the way to the exit Richard Vogel kept pointing at his four-legged partner as if to say: “He deserves the applause”.

Later Vogel confirmed: “I was very happy with how Cepano jumped. He really fought for me today. I knew from last year, when he came second in the Prize of NRW and the Allianz-Prize that he feels at home in the ring. Some horses grow when they enter the arena at the Soers, whereas others are intimidated. He belongs to those, who grow, and I sensed that today.” Cepano actually saved him slightly today. “I watched McLain and I know that when he is front he is difficult to beat. That put me under a bit of extra pressure. I was almost slightly too aggressive and didn’t ride everything as perfectly as I had planned. And he helped me out today.”

The crowd also contributed towards Cepano’s top form, Vogel stated, “The atmosphere in this class with the floodlights and all the spectators is simply incredible. This is the first class where all the riders want to be in best form. There is a special atmosphere even in the warm-up area. And when you ride into the ring, it is even more intense. That makes us fly even higher.”

McLain Ward came second with a time of 44.06 seconds. Fun fact: While Vogel was spending the winter in Wellington, he trained with McLain Ward. The latter said after this evening: “There is nothing I could possibly still teach him.” Vogel’s plans for the rest of the week are pretty obvious: to continue this series of success. “I hope that wasn’t the last rosette we collect here,” he said modestly. Ward on the other hand sounded very decisive regarding his plans for the rest of the week: “That Richie comes second.”

Jana Wargers finished third with the Oldenburg-bred mare, Dorette. She took just one hundredths of a second longer to cross the finish line compared to Ward and Callas. She was totally happy and not at all disappointed. “We have the two fastest riders here and they were in the lead. I knew it was going to be difficult. Furthermore this is the horse (Dorette) I am riding in the Grand Prix on Sunday. So, of course I did try, but I didn’t want to overdo it.”

The CHIO Aachen Head of Sport, Birgit Rosenberg, confirmed the superb atmosphere: “In spite of the rain and the windy weather, there was a fantastic atmosphere and the riders confirmed that it was super sport here today. I am very much looking forward to the rest of show and think it got off to a super start today.”

It doesn’t always have to be the Grand Prix to put a huge smile on a top show-jumper’s face. Mexico’s World Championship rider, Eugenio Garza Perez, was able to name three reasons today that made his victory in the Prize of StädteRegion Aachen in memory of Landrat Hermann-Josef Pütz so special.

Because apart from the fact that it is always wonderful to win a 1.50 metre class at a five-star show, Eugenio Garza Perez first of all declared: “Winning here in Aachen – is a dream come true!” What’s more the Mexican show-jumper was elated for his four-legged sports partner, the 16-year-old Zangersheide-bred, Victer Finn DH Z. “Claiming the victory with this horse makes it even more memorable. We have such a long history together. He deserved it.”

This long, joint history began just under nine years ago. “We have done everything together, from Young Rider classes, through to championships. He is simply an incredible horse. He has had a bit of bad luck with injuries. That is why he has never jumped at top level, which in my opinion he deserved to do. I am simply so happy for the horse – to see him winning here happy and healthy, it is fantastic!”

And who came second? Richard Vogel once again. He already picked up the silver rosette with his Hanoverian-bred gelding, Cydello, yesterday in the opening jumping competition, today they added a second one to their collection. The Mexican duo took 27.43 seconds to complete the second phase of the 1.50 metre two phase class. “Flying Vogel” and Cydello took 28.07 seconds, which was plenty of time to relegate Ben Maher (GBR) and Exit Remo into third place (28,71). Richard Vogel’s quota of top three placings at this year’s CHIO Aachen has thus gone up to four out of four.

Klaphake? German U25 Trophy? That rings a bell! That’s right, before Laura Klaphake won the bronze medal for Germany at the World Championships in 2018, she successfully participated in the series of the German U25 Trophy of the Stiftung Deutscher Pferdesport and Holger Hetzel, Prize of Holger Hetzel. Now her brother Enno is following in her footsteps.

This year’s German U25 Trophy was nail-biting through to the very end! Eight pairs reached the jump-off, Enno Klaphake and NC Verso Red Wine were in the lead on a time of 38.17 seconds when the winners of yesterday’s opening competition, Hannes Ahlmann and Tokyo, entered the ring. Ahlmann already won the opening round last year and made it through to the jump-off of the Final, where he unfortunately picked up four faults. Yesterday, he announced that he wanted to do better this year. He was on the road to success up until the last obstacle, clear and faster than Klaphake. But then the pole fell and dashed Ahlmann’s dream of claiming the victory on the Holy Grass in Aachen. The pair ultimately finished sixth.

One man’s joy is another man’s sorrow. Enno Klaphake: “I really didn’t think I’d win because Hannes Ahlmann was still to go, but then luckily for me he knocked a pole at the last fence.” All the greater his joy: “Winning here in Aachen – yes, exceptional! An awesome feeling!” As well as to his sponsors, who enabled him to take part in the Final in Aachen, his thanks above all went to us OS gelding, NC Verso Red Wine, a twelve-year-old Vigo d’Arsouilles son, who Enno knows inside and out. “I have had him since he was six. He is a very special horse – but that what makes him so good, because he is careful and has such a good attitude. When I fight, he fights with me!”

The German Champion of the U25 Show-jumpers and the German Ladies Champion in 2025, Mylen Kruse, finished second. She had brought the Holstein-bred stallion, Lovelight by Lord Z, to Aachen with her. The pair have not being competing together for long. It was their first ever jump-off together today. So, Kruse was delighted with the result: A clear round in a time of 40.60 seconds in the jump-off. But even if she hadn’t have won a rosette, she would have benefited from the experience in Aachen. Questioned as to what importance the German U25 Trophy had for her in comparison to her German Champion title, she replied: “Of course that was fantastic in Balve, because I was competing against the seniors there. But Aachen as an event venue compensates for that in itself. The fact that one can watch so many other riders here, is extremely valuable!” She reported that she likes learning something from everyone, “at the end of the day you can’t copy anyone, but you can pick up a few tips.”

On the other hand, Marvin Jüngel (0/41.23), who came third, had a specific role model: “Richard Vogel!”, he said as quick as a shot. Vogel won the German U25 Trophy three times in the past and ranking tenth place, he is the best German show-jumper in the world rankings. Jüngel spent several months at Vogel’s yard during the winter. Whereby he himself notched up great achievements before travelling to the Soers. In May he won the German Derby in Hamburg for the second time in succession where he had saddled his long-time partner, Balou’s Erbin. For his performance in Aachen he had opted for his nine-year-old mare, who he is setting his hopes for the future in, DSP Kontendra by Contendro. He too was overjoyed at coming third: “I am super, super proud! The mare is just growing into all of this at the moment and that was an incredibly fast jump-off. I am definitely over happy!”

Antonia Locker with Cristobal (0/41.68) and Beeke Carstensen, the sister of last year’s winner Teike Carstensen, with Carbas (0/44.94) ranked fourth and fifth respectively.

Until Richard Vogel has finished the course, no one else can be sure that they have secured the victory. This happened to Denis Lynch today in the Prize of Handwerk.

As the sixth pair to go, the Irish show-jumper Denis Lynch and his 12-year-old Cornet Obolensky son, Cornet’s Iberio, took the lead in the Prize of Handwerk with a clear round in 62.33 seconds and headed the field almost till the finish. But then Richard Vogel and the Belgian-bred Corydon son, Phenyo van het Kayserbos, competed as the fourth last pair and crossed the finish line in a time of 61.43 seconds to clinch the victory. Third place went to a further speedy, Irish rider, Shane Sweetnam with Irandole du Flot (62.82).

It is only the third competition together for Richard Vogel and his just nine-year-old Phenyo van het Kaiserbos. Nevertheless, Aachen fitted perfectly into the plan for them. “We haven’t been a pair for very long. But I am totally impressed with him, because he has made huge progress in such a short space of time and I have great hopes for him. There are thank goodness jumping competitions like these in Aachen (the Prize of Handwerk), that aren’t too high, i.e. at 1.45 metre level, which place the focus more on the speed rather than the height. That is great for Phenyo in his current training status. It allows him to get used to the atmosphere of such shows and in such arenas. He has never jumped here before, so we are overjoyed that he performed so well today and that we were able to concentrate on the time and not just on the fact that we had to try and stay clear.”

He hadn’t gone all out to win though. He simply wanted to make sure his sports partner had the best possible experience in his first round in Aachen: “Phenyo is naturally very fast. We just tried not to take the turns too wide. A slightly higher basic tempo is better for him, because he perhaps doesn’t naturally have the biggest scope. So, I’d say it suited him down to the ground and he had more fun than if we had gone at a slower pace. Because it might have struggled slightly at the oxers otherwise.” Not that this means he doesn’t think Phenyo won’t be suitable for even greater tasks in the future. “In general, we have high hopes for him, and think he will perhaps be able to jump here in higher classes next year or the year after.”

It was already Richard Vogel’s third top placing in three classes at the CHIO Aachen 2024. Yesterday he came second with two other horses, and today he claimed the victory with Phenyo. “We’d like the week to carry on just like this,” grinned Vogel, adding straight away: “We won’t manage that, but up till now things are going very well. All of the horses are in top form, are jumping superbly and I will try to ride as well as possible and not let my horses down. Then, I think we may able to win one or two rosettes here.”

If anyone can judge what distinguishes a four-legged star, then definitely Ben Maher. The British Olympic gold medallist hopes to have found one in the OS Stallion, Corlander, whom he won the opening round of the Sparkassen-Youngsters-Cup with today.

Philipp Weishaupt and his Selle Français mare, Grace de la Claye (out of Utrillo van de Heffinck) put in a fast round in the 1.45 metre two-phase jumping competition that kicked off the Sparkassen-Youngsters-Cup: 39.29 seconds. Richard Vogel and his KWPN gelding, Levi Noesar (out of Zirocco Blue), were one hundredth of a second faster, 39.28 seconds. Anyone, who thought the time couldn’t be beaten, was taught otherwise, when the Olympic gold medallist, Ben Maher and his beautiful OS stallion, Corlander (out of Cornet Colbert) sped round the Soers. The clock stopped at 38.96 seconds. No one was able to top that. Vogel and Weishaupt finished in second and third place respectively.

Ben Maher wasn’t surprised. He has been riding Corlander since last November and took him to Florida with him in the spring to prepare him for the green season, where he already came second in a national 1.50 metre Grand Prix. Otherwise, Maher has only competed at international level with him once before. “He is a very talented, balanced horse. He doesn’t have to jump too much,” he explained. Maher has high hopes in the stallion. “I don’t just think because of today that he is right for Aachen, but he has a huge range with his scope and stride.” He added that he has people, who keep a look out for good horses for him and they scouted the Cornet Obolensky grandson for him from the Lewitz Stud, when he was still under the saddle of his former rider, Krzysztof Ludwiczak from Poland. “Hopefully, we have found the next star. I hope we can live up to that.” If he carries on like today…

The CHIO Aachen is once again the venue of the Finale of the German U25 Trophy of the Stiftung Deutscher Pferdesport and Holger Hetzel, Prize of Holger Hetzel. And once again the winner of the first round comes from Schleswig-Holstein and is called Hannes Ahlmann.

As the last pair to go, Hannes Ahlmann and his nine-year-old Holstein-bred Toulon daughter, Tokyo, overtook the entire field of the German U25 Trophy from the rear. After jumping clear in 73.64 seconds they relegated Henrike-Sophie Boy with Aquarell Sun (74.12) and Enno Klaphake with NC Verso Red Wine (77.29) into second and third place, respectively.

In the course of four qualifiers, the best five riders respectively won themselves a ticket for the CHIO Aachen. It is the second time that Ahlmann, the rider from Schleswig-Holstein, has competed in this class – and the second time he has won the opening round. “Naturally, it is always something very special to ride here on the Holy Grass!” the 23-year-old emphasised and added: “Of course, it is great that I managed to win the opening class again. But we now also hope to take the victory in the Finale as well!”

Ahlmann was one of the five riders to reach the jump-off last year. In 2023, he had saddled Nerrado and the pair came fourth. His sports partner this year, the mare Tokyo, has already carried him over 1.60 metre courses and jumped to victory in both qualifiers of the U25 trophy in Balve. Ahlmann’s hopes are thus entirely justified.

Holger Hetzel is co-sponsoring the German U25 Trophy for the first time this year. As a father too. Since his daughter, Laura, is also one of the finalists. She finished fourth today with her Westphalian-bred mare, Angel D’or.

The year 2024 not only marks 100 years of show history at the Aachen Soers, but also a decade of the German U25 Trophy. The series for aspiring young riders was staged for the first time in 2014. It was initiated by the national coach of the show-jumpers, Otto Becker, together with the co-trainer at the time, Heinrich-Hermann Engemann. The aim was to make it easier for the Young Riders to get a foothold on the senior-level circuit. It has long since become evident that the idea is working. The championship riders, Laura Klaphake and Maurice Tebbel also competed in the German U25 Trophy in the past, alongside the designated Olympic rider, Richard Vogel. The latter succeeded in winning the Finale in Aachen three times in succession and already rode to victory in the Big Tour at the Soers in 2023 already.