Image by CHIO Aachen/Andreas Steindl.
With CHIO Aachen underway and the dressage action set to begin in the Dressage Stadium, Roger Fitzhardinge casts his eye over the CDIO5* Nations Cup field, as well as the ever-competitive CDI4*.
BELGIUM
One to watch in the CDIO5* is the nine-year-old stallion Zonik Plus (Zonik x Hohenstein) with Justin Verboomen. This horse recently scored over 80% in the freestyle and has the potential to challenge for top positions and possibly medals at the upcoming European Championships. He is one of the most exciting horses and as much as he hasn’t had that much exposure, watch this one!
Also in the CDIO5* is Larissa Pauluis with 15-year-old gelding Flambeau (Ampere x Zeoliet) continues a successful season, showing strong consistency and proving to be a reliable competitor.
Andreas Helgstrand and Jovian, pictured here at the 2023 FEI Dressage European Championship in Riesenbeck. Image by FEI/Leanjo de Koster.
DENMARK
Eleven-year-old stallion Jovian (Apache x Glock’s Tango), ridden by Andreas Helgstrand, is clearly the standout for the Danish team in the CDIO5*. Jovian is a tall leggy brown horse with huge elastic paces who has struggled a little with the balance in the piaffe, but rest assured that is much stronger now.
“Rest assured that is
much stronger now…”
Borja Carrascosa and Frizzantino FRH, pictured here at the Paris Olympics. Image by FEI/Benjamin Clark
SPAIN
Borja Carrascosa with 10-year-old stallion Frizzantino FRH (Finest x Quaterback) is the one to watch in the CDIO5*. He won the Spanish Championships and has consistently high scores, along with an entertaining and high-scoring freestyle that’s a real crowd pleaser – so we hope they qualify for that test.
“Frizzantino FRH is the one
to watch in the CDIO5*…”
FINLAND
Thirteen-year-old Tiffany’s Diamond (Tailormade Temptation x His Highness 2) with Henri Ruoste is a talented mare. While inexperienced, she shows great promise and just needs more exposure to big arenas, and this will be a big test for her but she’s more than capable of wowing the judges in the CDI4*.
Becky Moody and Jagerbomb, pictured here at the 2023 London International Horse Show. Image by FEI/Jon Stroud Media.
GREAT BRITAIN
Becky Moody, now ranked number four in the world and a great favorite with all the dressage fans, is riding 11-year-old gelding Jagerbomb (Dante Weltino OLD x Jazz) with exceptional harmony. She is a strong sportswoman and always interesting to watch. Always correct in the frame and balance and accuracy. There are more flamboyant horses, but consistency, harmony and correct riding and positioning for all movements is what wins – and Becky seems to have that all packaged up! Becky and Jagerbomb are in the CDIO5* as part of the British team.
“Consistency, harmony and
correct riding and positioning
for all movements is what wins.”
GERMANY
In the CDIO5*, both Katharina Hemmer with 13-year-old gelding Denoix PCH (Destano x Pik Noir) and Sönke Rothenberger with 11-year-old gelding Fendi (Franklin x Diamond) have both made impressive progress leading up to this point and solidified their positions at the German Championships. Fendi is bright and expressive with wonderful changes and in fact pretty wonderful at everything.
Isabell Werth is riding both 11-year-old mare Wendy de Fontaine (Sezuan 2 x Blue Hors Soprano) in the CDIO5* and 10-year-old gelding Special Blend 3 (Sezuan 2 x Blue Hors Hotline) in the CDI4*. Special Blend has been a reliable backup horse and has posted solid scores throughout the season. Wendy has not been actively competing for a while and it will be interesting to see the improvement that has been made. To see Isabell in action, especially at Aachen on home territory in front of the home crowd, will always see her at her best and what a combination. This elegant black mare is a beauty!
Isabell Werth and Wendy, pictured here at the Paris Olympics. Image by FEI/Benjamin Clark.
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with 10-year-old gelding Diallo 3 (Dancier x Floriscount OLD) is one to watch in the CDI4*. The horse has good quality paces and is handling pressure well. There was a slight glitch in the piaffe at the German Championships, but overall, the pair shows real potential. Jessica is another amazing rider and so professional and harmonious.
There is then always Ingrid Klimke, an Aachen specialist and with 14-year-old stallion Vayron (Vitalis x Gloster) in the CDI4*, and Frederic Wandres with 15-year-old gelding Bluetooth OLD (Bordeaux 28 x GB Riccione) in the CDIO5*. The depth of quality and competitiveness in the country’s entries is incredible!
POLAND
No Grand Prix these day would be complete without the beautiful black nine-year-old Maxima Bella (Millennium x Christ 3), a mare with a fantastic story behind her and ridden by Poland’s Sandra Sysojeva. This combination shows athleticism, balance, poise, sympathy, and harmony between horse and rider. The connection is infectious and so wonderful to see. Huge highlights are the piaffe and passage, and the transitions in and out. The mare could perhaps show a little more sitting in the piaffe, but she’s only young and it will be interesting to see her improvement. No doubt she and Sandra will be up with the leading list in the CDI4*.
NORWAY
Isabel Freese with the ever popular 13-year-old stallion Total Hope (Totilas x Don Schufro) continues to deliver. While her final centreline can vary, when she and the horse are on form, the results are outstanding. Let’s hope for a great test in the CDI4* and to see them up at the top of the leaderboard.
Patrik Kittel and Touchdown at the 2024 FEI Dressage World Cup Final in Riyadh. Image by FEI/Martin Dokoupil.
SWEDEN
Patrick Kittel with 13-year-old gelding Touchdown (Quaterback x Sack) is always a contender. Patrick is the consummate competitor, and his experience will hold him in good stead here in the CDIO5*. If ever there is a competitor who rises to the big occasions, it is this pair and Touchdown has no weak parts to his Grand Prix! A wealth of experience here!
Maria Von Essen with 13-year-old gelding Invoice (Jazz x Olympic Ferro) in the CDIO5* is an excellent example of harmonious riding. Although the horse doesn’t have the biggest and most expressive paces, Maria consistently delivers well-executed tests and earns the marks she deserves. One to admire and take notice of.
UNITED STATES
Marcus Orlob with 11-year-old mare Jane (Desperado x Metall) is one to watch in the CDI4*. Jane was unsettled leaving the arena at Aachen last year, and then at the Paris Olympics she accidentally hit her leg prior to entering the arena; the resulting minor cut led to eliminated under the FEI blood rule during the test. She’s a standout talent and it will be interesting to see how she performs. One amazing mare who hasn’t had the best of competition luck. If she settles entering the arena with the massive vibe that Aachen is famous for, it will be a special test.
In the CDIO5*, Kasey Perry-Glass is a graceful rider and gaining momentum with her 13-year-old gelding Heartbeat WP (Charmeur x Olympic Ferro).
Kevin Kohmann with 16-year-old gelding Duenensee (Dancier x Davignon I), also in the CDIO5*, has had a successful season. With a new trainer, they are seeing improved scores and this is another strong combination to keep an eye on.
DON’T MISS AUSSIE KATE
Of course, for Australia there is Kate Kyros who is competing in the CDI1* Small Tour with 12-year-old stallion Intro K (Apache x Harmony’s Rousseau). This will be a real highlight to be in this company for such a talented young Aussie ride – who is of course no stranger to CHIO Aachen, having competed in the CDI Young Rider class there last year with her stallion.
CDIO5* WINNER IS OPEN
There is no doubt that all the horses that compete at Aachen are worthy of great credit and accolades. There are so many wonderful harmonious and talented combinations, and it is a truly wonderful group. Often at Aachen there is one standout leading into the headline CDIO5* Grand Prix, but this year is different… there are many possibilities and we look forward to it with great anticipation and let’s hope great percentages and great positivity in this beautiful and challenging world of dressage.
TIMETABLE
2 JULY:
CDI1* Prix St Georges: 4pm local time, 12am (3 July) AEST
- Kate Kyros: 4.24pm local time, 12.24am AEST
CDI4* Grand Prix: 6.30pm local time, 2.30am (3 July) AEST
3 JULY:
CDIO5* Grand Prix: 9am local time, 5pm AEST
4 JULY:
CDI Junior Individual Test: 3.30pm local time, 11.30pm AEST
CDI4* Grand Prix Special: 5.45pm local time, 1.45am (5 July) AEST
5 JULY:
CDIO5* Grand Prix Special: 9am local time, 5pm AEST
CDI Junior Freestyle Test: 3.30pm local time, 11.30pm AEST
CDI1* Intermediate I: 7pm local time, 3am (6 July) AEST
CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle: 9.30pm local time, 5.30am (6 July) AEST
6 JULY:
CDIO5* Grand Prix Freestyle: 9.15am local time, 5.15pm AEST
WATCH ALL THE ACTION ON CLIPMYHORSE.TV
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