The names of 49 pairs were printed on the starting list for the first qualifier for the Rolex Grand Prix, the traditional climax of the TSCHIO Aachen on Sunday – and the line-up could hardly have been more impressive: 28 riders from the top 30 of the current world rankings, complemented by global superstars such as the five-time Major winner, Martin Fuchs (SUI); the World Champion, Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) as well as the previous German winners of the Grand Prix in Aachen Marcus Ehning, Janne-Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, Gerrit Nieberg and André Thieme. A field of competitors of such depth and quality impressively underlines why the Rolex Grand Prix in Aachen is considered to be the ultimate pinnacle of international show jumping.

Ultimately, it was the Irish flag that waved gently in the wind against a brilliant, blue sky over the Main Stadium in Aachen. Daniel Coyle succeeded in holding the world elite at bay with his Dutch-bred gelding, Farrel. At the end of his clear round, 70.99 seconds flashed up on the scoreboard. A time that no other pair was able to beat. “Fantastic, simply fantastic,” the delighted 31-year-old said immediately after the prize-giving ceremony, adding with a wink regarding the coming days: “That’s how it can continue.” Luciana Diniz (BRA) came closest to his time with her grey gelding, Vertigo du Desert (0/71.47), followed by the French rider, Kevin Staut and Feline de Hus HDC (0/71.57). But not only the top 3 pairs made a good impression with a view to the grand finale on Sunday, the Rolex Grand Prix. Christian Kukuk’s Olympic champion, Checker 47, also left the ring after putting in an immaculate performance, as did the winner of the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen from 2024, DSP Chakaria under André Thieme and the recently crowned World Cup winner, Greya, with her rider Kent Farrington (USA). Conclusion: The top stars are in peak form!

Earlier this morning, in the Prize of the Soers, which the French show-jumper, Julien Epaillard won with his chestnut gelding, Easy Up de Grandry, a further superstar got a first taste of the TSCHIO Aachen atmosphere: United Touch S. The magnificent, Westphalian-bred, 14-year-old stallion completed a consciously measured warm-up round for this important weekend under his rider, Richard Vogel, who travels to the Soers as the current contender for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in die Soers, and the pair left behind a thoroughly convincing impression. Highly-focused and effortlessly, the powerful bay stallion clearly indicated that he has plenty more to offer in the further course of the tournament.

But United Touch S was not the only horse that appears to be in top form: Stars like Hello Jefferson under the British rider, Scott Brash, and Leone Jei, with whom Martin Fuchs (SUI) won the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen in 2025, put in focused performances and demonstrated that they are ready for the coming tasks. Hence, excitement is guaranteed over the next days at the Aachen Soers – the elite of international show jumping is poised in the starting blocks. And this afternoon at the latest, Richard Vogel knows what it feels like to lead the field in the lap of honour at the TSCHIO Aachen 2026: In the first competition of the Youngster Tour, the 29-year-old claimed the victory with United Call JPS – a United Touch S descendant – making a strong initial statement – one that also delighted Birgit Rosenberg. “We watched fantastic competitions and saw fantastic winners today,” the ALRV Board Member, reported. “The beautiful weather further contributed towards a wonderful atmosphere at the show grounds. All in all, it was a successful start to the event.”