There is no show in the world like Aachen.
The best competitors in show jumping, dressage, eventing, four-in-hand driving and vaulting make sure it is marked on their calendars every year.
In addition to being an incredible sporting event, Aachen offers great entertainment (including two symphony concerts), a celebration of equestrian tradition and a good time.
There is always a partner country (this year it was Spain, complete with flamenco dancers), so culture is shared in an enjoyable fashion.
The enthusiasm of knowledgeable crowds adds to its burnished aura. The fans are completely involved in what is going on in the arenas or the cross-country course. They know when to clap, when to boo (occasionally, anyway), when to offer a standing ovation and when to indulge in the vast trade fair.
Fans were undeterred by a bizarre range of weather, from temps in the high 90s to clear sunny skies, thunderous downpours and rain on the last day.
Their involvement continues past the end of the competition part of the program. The Farewell of Nations is an event in itself, proceeding with riders carrying the flags of every country and a parade of participants, on horseback and in carriages, as their national anthems are played. They and the audience of 40,000 wave goodbye at each other with white handkerchiefs as the folk tune “Muss I denn” plays over and over. And over.
The Aachen farewell.
On the final day, the highlights are the Rolex Grand Prix of show jumping (read about it at this link) and the 5-star dressage freestyle.
A victory at the highest level of dressage is a foregone conclusion, more often than not in recent years, that it will belong to Germany’s Isabell Werth.
But this weekend, while Isabell won the Grand Prix with Wendy de Fontaine, she had to concede the Special and the Freestyle to an up-and-coming horse and rider, Zonik Plus, only nine years old, and Justin Verboomen of Belgium. He was the first person from his country to win the freestyle at Aachen.
In Sunday’s freestyle, Justin came very close to earning 90 percent from the judges, with a score of 89.40 percent, but the spectators were not hesitant to give him a standing ovation, complete with much cheering.
Justin Verboomen got a truffle as big as a basketball with his Lindt Prize title for the dressage freestyle. (CHIO Aachen photo/Jasmin Metzner)
Isabell had to settle for a little less, 88.44 percent, as the spectators clapped even before she finished her ride.
The woman who is used to winning was okay with second place.
“This is what I really love, to have competition. Sometimes you have a percentage more, sometimes less. You see two really completely different horses, one is more the dynamic type, one is a bit the smooth spot. That makes it really exciting. Today we had a super atmosphere, we had great sport. This is what we love to do, and why we’re here.”
She added with a sly smile, “As long as it’s like this, I maybe keep on going a bit.”
Discussing Wendy’s performance, Isabell said, “I am happy with the improvements that have occurred from day to day. The canter was much better and can improve a little more. The relaxation and the dynamic was really amazing for me.”
Isabell wound up with the Schindling award for the dressage rider who earned the most points in the show.
Justin and his horse were all about working together as one, what dressage at its best is supposed to be.
Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus.
“I wanted to make it smooth and harmonious, so the people could feel the emotions,” said the soft-spoken rider.
“I want them to feel the sensitive part of Zonik and me. I want them to get goosebumps.”
Just bought the horse as a two-year-old in Portugal. Eighteen months later, he brought the black stallion to Belgium and began working with him in earnest.
“I am overjoyed, my horse was unbelievable,” Justin said in his low-key way.
“I really had a super connection with him today. That was my main goal here at the competition this week. That is the most important thing for me.”
This is a horseman.
Isabell and Justin will meet again soon, in this summer’s European Championships, where it will be interesting to see who gets the victories there.
Click here for the freestyle results.