by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 6, 2025
Martin Fuchs spent the night before Sunday’s Aachen Rolex Grand Prix reviewing the way he had ridden Leone Jei in the 1.5 million Euro class during previous years.
The Swiss rider explained he “really tried to see what I could improve today and try to be better than the last years.”
It worked. Martin and his 13-year-old Dutchbred firecracker soared as they flew along the jump-off course in the vast grass arena, while 40,000 spectators were riveted on the action. Martin had to watch four more riders before he could be assured that his time of 50.21 seconds would be fast enough to take the class won previously by his uncle, Markus Fuchs, and his godfather, the late Willi Melliger.
Martin Fuchs savors his victory gallop on Leone Jei. (Ashley Neuhof Photo)
“I was very focused for the jump-off and was like `Okay, today could be the day.’ I don’t want to let him down again,” Martin recounted.
“Last year, I made a rider’s mistake in the jump-off,” the former European champion admitted.
“Leone Jei is such an incredible horse. In all the majors, he’s always there and always present. When I do a good job, usually he leaves the poles up. In a ring like this, he has a huge stride, which allows me to leave out some strides and really go full risk and still usually jump the fences clear. To be riding a horse like this is very fortunate and lucky.”
The starting field of 40 who attempted the first course designed by Frank Rothenberger was cut down to 18 competitors for a second round, with 11 making the tiebreaker.
France’s Nina Mallevaey, who quickly has burst out of the U-25 ranks to the top level of the sport, actually managed a faster clocking than Martin by finishing the jump-off in 50.01 seconds with Dynastie de Beaufour, but she had a rail at the A element of the troublesome golden double combination, flanked by cathedral window standards, to finish fifth.
As Martin watched, no one else came close. The USA’s Lillie Keenan toppled a rail with Fasther at the same fence as Nina, while Richie Vogel of Germany had knockdowns at both elements of the double with United Touch S.
Martin explained why he was so hard to beat.
“I had a very good plan for the jump-off, leaving out a stride into the double, which was a hard task, because the golden double was hard to jump.
“I said, `Okay, we try it and we take the last risk.’ From then on, it was just the last fence in front of us and go as fast as we could.”
Leone Jei was very enthusiastic about winning the Aachen Rolex grand prix.
At the end, it was all down to another U.S. rider, Laura Kraut, the final rider to go, aboard her Olympic team silver medal mount, Baloutinue.
But she wasn’t taking any chances at the double and went wide to approach it safely, then took back to steady before the final fence, finishing fault-free in 52.41 seconds to claim the runner-up spot on her Hanoverian gelding.
“I am very happy with second place,” said Laura.
“When there are 11 in the jump-off, which is a lot, the fastest riders in the world, I thought `Ooh, this could end not so well.’ The golden double was the thing to jump, it was very difficult and many people were quick until that.”
She decided not to take all the risks Martin did, but rather, to “play it safe and not have it (the double) down.”
That worked, but there was “no chance” she realized, that she could go to the final fence as quickly as he had.
Even so, her careful strategy paid off.
“I was pleased to have gone as quick as I did,” commented Laura, who ended a great week for the U.S. on a high note after riding on the winning Nations Cup team Thursday.
Laura Kraut and Baloutinue, second in the grand prix. (Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Martin’s compatriot, European Champion Steve Guerdat, who went two rides before Martin in the jump-off, had a longtime goal to win the class. But was glad to end up third with the Selle Francais mare Dynamix de Belheme (0/52.59).
“I knew that I had no chance to win today. You needed a huge-strided horse, which my mare is not. I was lucky to end up on the podium,” he commented.
The 2012 Olympic individual gold medalist is known for giving other riders tips on how to improve their placings, but he was out of tips for himself.
“There was no tip to give because there was nothing to do,” explained the three-time FEI World Cup champion.
” `Hold your reins and kick as much as you can.’ There were no options. I knew before I started that it was not possible to win.”
After his victory lap, Martin took a ride in a carriage driven by Australian Boyd Exell, who won the show’s four-in-hand competition. He was in a position to give the driver a big gratuity–first prize amounted to 589,000 in U.S. dollars. Martin said the money will go to his horse’s owner, Adolfo Juri, and his parents. He noted his parents are very generous with him, and he was hoping his mother would cook an “exquisite” dinner to celebrate.
Two U.S. riders thought to have a good chance of taking the top prize were McLain Ward and Kent Farrington. But it didn’t happen.
McLain, a close second last year, had a rail in the first round with Imperial HBF and wasn’t qualified for the second round. Kent, the 20019 winner, and Greya came through among the top 18 but dropped a pole at the dock oxer, the third-to-last fence in that round, and finished fifteenth.
Britain’s Ben Maher, the Tokyo Olympics individual gold medalist, was leading international jumper rider and his mount, Dallas Vegas Batilly, earned champion horse.
Click here for grand prix results. Click here for four-in-hand driving results. To read about the dressage freestyle, click this link
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 5, 2025
The drama of running cross-country as the last phase at the Aachen UBS Cup eventing Saturday kept the tension at high velocity, as the lead switched back and forth over Giuseppe Della Chiesa’s roller coaster of a course that asked intriguing questions non-stop.
In the end, after 40 riders had jumped through the brush-covered “owl hole” final fence, New Zealand earned team honors for the first time since 2018, but second place went to the U.S. — which ably rose from fourth after Friday’s stadium jumping. Great Britain, which held the lead for much of the day, sank to third after Bubby Upton and Laura Collett had refusals.
Aachen is the equivalent of a 5-star Short in terms of its difficulties, including the unconventional format, and Giuseppe proved to be an ample replacement for longtime course designer Rüdiger Schwarz, who retired.
The New Zealand team led by Tim Price (left). (Photo CHIO Aachen, Jasmin Metzner)
Individually, the USA’s Will Coleman, the 2021 Aachen winner, just missed the podium in fourth place with Off the Record. He was only two seconds behind the optimum time of 6 minutes, 35 seconds, which no one was able to make. Closest was New Zealand’s Monica Spencer on Artist (a thoroughbred!), a frustrating one second over.
Asked if he expected anyone to make the time, Giuseppe said, “To be honest, no. But the riders did a good job, they came very close. They looked at the jumps first, then at the time, the influence of which had a corresponding effect on the ranking.”
World number three Tim Price of New Zealand on the Holsteiner Vitali, tied for the lead after dressage and holding it on his own after show jumping, took individual honors. He was followed by Great Britain’s Tom McEwan (Brookfield Quality) and Gemma Stevens on the impressive gray, Flash Cooley, an Irish-bred mount, like Tom’s horse.
Speaking about how it felt to win at Aachen, Tim said, “It is taking time to soak in. First of all, you are just focused; then there is the team aspect, that is the primary thing.”
As he finished his trip around the course, he recalled, “I wasn’t sure if I’d won because everyone claps, however well you have done. I was really happy to discover that I had won with this cracking horse. He is a fantastic horse to ride cross with. I picked up on the atmosphere from the first jump onwards. It gave us a feel of the atmosphere all round the course. It was a very enthusiastic crowd.”
Tim Price on Vitali going cross-country. (Equestrian Sports NZ/Libby Law Photography)
The USA’s Boyd Martin, fifth on Commando 3, called second place for the U.S. team “a great honor,” noting it was “a fantastic contest.”
His Aachen debut was “an amazing experience” at the legendary German venue and, he admitted, “a bit nerve-wracking for me” because “my mother-in-law lives down the road. So a bit of extra pressure there.”
He added the U.S. “will have gained a lot of experience” that it can build on for next year’s world championships at Aachen.
The U.S. team has never won at Aachen, but has been second several times. The competition was the first team event for Leslie Law since the former development coach became head man and high performance manager.
“It’s everything we could have hoped for,” said the 2004 individual Olympic gold medalist, noting, “I couldn’t be happier.
Boyd Martin and Commando 3 at the Owl Hole. (U.S. Equestrian photo)
“We had team training at Boyd Martin’s and more training when we arrived. There’s been great atmosphere. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with these professional riders. We all know it takes a village. Their people they’ve got behind them, they’re 100 percent professional. We couldn’t have asked for a better team as far as looking after the horses goes.”
Leslie said having Christina Vaughn as team leader was a big asset, since he had worked with her in his previous position. He also had positive words for Karyn Shuter, the high performance advisor.
Leslie noted, “We’re very excited for Aachen next year.”
He explained Boyd has “a great string of horses” and is trying to return to his number one ranking on the international standings. Although Will’s Timmy is getting older, he has other horses in his pipeline, Leslie said.
Will Coleman and Off the Record. (U.S. Equestrian photo)
While Caroline Pamukcu had the drop score on her Olympic horse, HSH Blake, Leslie pointed out the horse is only 10 years old, with time to develop for the future.
Leslie also was happy to see how well Phillip Dutton, 61, did on two inexperienced horses, riding for both the team and as an individual. He replaced James Alliston in the latter capacity after Karma was sidelined.
Cosby Green, who had two horses in the Luhmulen top 10 but wasn’t in Aachen, was also mentioned as a plus for the team looking ahead to the world championships. The Europeans have their championships in September, but this is an off-year for the U.S., with time for the riders to focus on qualifying without the pressure of an international championship.
Click here for team results. Click here for individual results.
Eventers didn’t have a monopoly on the drama Saturday. Belgian rider, Justin Verboomen and the black stallion he trained, the 9-year-old Zonik Plus, won the 5-star Grand Prix Special over Germany’s darling, Isabell Werth, and Grand Prix winner Wendy de Fontaine.
It was only the second Special for the Belgian combination, which turned in a personal best of 80.745 percent to make their debut in the Aachen winner’s circle.
Justin Verboomen, with Zonik Plus and Marina Meggle as he accepts the Meggle Prize for the Grand Prix Special (Photo: CHIO Aachen/Diana Wahl)
Mistakes in the one-tempis were the downfall of Isabell and Wendy, who were a close second on 80.106 percent, which was actually a personal best for the duo. It was a whole series of personal bests — third place went to British entry Becky Moody and Jagerbomb, with 78.404 percent.
Asked if the Special was Zonik’s real potential, the winner replied, “Not yet. But you will see it one day.”
Isabell called the Special, “great sport, and the strong competition makes it spicy. That is the reason I am still here.”
Noting that she had seen Justin in Lier, Isabell said, “it was clear to me that he wouldn’t try to be a gentleman. That is what we love to have: Exciting sport and competitive shows, that is what the spectators love.”
Becky, who was on the British bronze medal team at the Paris Olympics last year, noted, “It is something else to ride into this arena. The crowd are fantastic and so knowledgeable.“
That also increased Jagerbomb’s excitement level.
“He didn’t want to stand still, but it is precisely this energy that makes the rest of his test so special. That is what we are all striving for finding the balance between energy and relaxation,” said Becky.
We will see a rematch of the top three Sunday in the 5-star freestyle.
The two U.S. riders in the Special, Kasey Perry Glass (Heartbeat) and Benjamin Ebeling (Bellena) finished thirteenth and eighteenth respectively.
Click here for results.
Isabell and Wendy have been named to the German team for the world championships in August; no surprise there. Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth Old, Ingrid Klimke and Vayron (winner of the 4-star Special) and Katharina Hemmer (Denoix PCH) are the other members of the squad.
In the Intermediate I, U.S. riders Kevin Kohmann (Scala) and Marcus Orlob (J.J. Glory Day) were eighth and ninth as the class was won by the Netherlands’ Dinja van Liere on Mauro Turfhorst, a black stallion. It was a big day for black stallions.
Click here for results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 9, 2025
There will be a day of learning Saturday, July 12 in Pittstown, N.J., to honor the legacy of Debbie Haimowitz and launch the Debbie Haimowitz Horsemanship Foundation (DHHF).
Debbie, who died last year, was someone always willing to help who had a true commitment to classical training and horse care.
Debbie Haimowitz was happiest around horses and those who loved them.
The Foundation will support emerging equestrians ages 18-25, giving them an opportunity for an educational experience that will include horse care and training.
Saturday’s program, which runs from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., includes a training session with Olympic show jumping double medalist Chris Kappler, questions and answers with veterinarian Dr. Brendan Furlong, information on shipping safety with Kevin and Patty Hennessey of Nobody’s Business Farm and a presentation by Chris on setting courses. Lunch is being provided by Sergeantsville Grain and Feed, and Purina also is a sponsor of the day.
The session will be held at Chris Kappler Inc, 731 Route 579. A donation of $50 is requested via Zelle or at the event. Space is limited, so those who want to attend should text 845-893-2364 by noon on Friday July 11.
Those who cannot attend the program may make a donation by Venmo or Zelle via Jonnagaston@gmail.com. Checks also can be mailed to the Debbie Haimowitz Foundation c/o Jonna Gaston, 20 Stillwater Dr., Slate Hill, N.Y. 10973.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 4, 2025
After Friday’s dressage and stadium jumping phases of Aachen’s UBS Cup eventing, the U.S. stands fourth, behind Great Britain–no surprise to see that nation leading–with 91.200 penalties, New Zealand (94.400) and Germany (96.100).
Although 107.600 penalties means a bit of a hill to climb, eventing at the World Equestrian Festival (which will host all the world championships except endurance next year) is unique in so many ways, from the crowds to the format and the bear of a cross-country course.
Having cross-country last at an event of this stature changes everything. For one thing, it means most riders have to take a different approach than they do when stadium is the final phase. (And there’s been talk that eventing will happen that way at the 2028 Olympics). So the U.S. has a chance to do more than catch up.
Boyd Martin is the US team’s leading rider as of Friday night, tenth after the first two segments, with dressage in the morning and jumping just hours later on a grass field under the lights. He’s aboard Commando 3, the horse on whom he won the U.S. 5-star championship at Kentucky as the highest-placed American. He finished there behind Germany’s Michael Jung, who is not competing at Aachen.
Boyd understandably was perplexed at his dressage mark of 33.8 penalties, which put him fifteenth in that segment.
Boyd Martin had a smooth dressage test with Commando 3, pay no attention to the judges’ opinions. (U.S. Equestrian photo)
Calling it “disappointing,” he said, “I was shocked at the score. This horse is consistently in the 20s. On paper, it looks like something went badly wrong, but I was very pleased with him. He didn’t have any mistakes.”
A perfect trip in the jumping moved him up five places. He observed, “I’ve never ridden in a ring like this in my life, and I’ve been at it for awhile.”
Noting it’s not ideal to do the Kentucky 5-star and Aachen practically back-to-back, he gave his horse a short rest before getting him “back into the swing of things. It’s been a weird preparation.”
Boyd rode Connor, as he is known, in a horse trials at the Horse Park of New Jersey, then had his coach, Peter Wylde, take him to a jumper show in the run-up to his German trip.
This is Boyd’s first Aachen, and he approves: “It’s cool to be here. It’s an awesome event.”
Boyd boosted his status with a clean round in the show jumping on Commando 3. (U.S. Equestrian photo)
Assessing the cross-country course, he said, “I like it, it’s sort of what I expected. He starts us out nice with a couple of good, straight galloping fences. Then everything you can think of is there — corners in the water, mounds, a wicked coffin and some tough angles at the end. I think it’s a very hard course, and it’s even harder if you go really fast.”
Click here for individual results in eventing; click here for team results in eventing
The dressage highlight of the day was the 4-star Grand Prix Special, with riders moving up and down from the spots they earned in the Grand Prix on Thursday.
Germany’s Ingrid Klimke went from seventh in the Grand Prix to first with Vayron (74.128 percent). That’s particularly exciting because she will be teaching the masterclass as Dressage at Devon celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in September.
“I had the feeling he was completely focused in the Special,” said Ingrid.
“He marched down the long sides on his own, so that I thought in the extended trot: Wait a minute! But he was great to ride and he was totally in his element,”
It was her first Special victory with the Westfalen stallion by Vitalis, whom she began competing last autumn. The horse previously was ridden by Daniel Bachmann Anderson of Denmark, who was ninth with him in the Special at the Paris Olympics on a score of 75.973.
Ingrid Klimke and Vayron.
The USA’s only representative in the class, Marcus Orlob, went from tenth in the Grand Prix with Jane to fourth with a more than respectable score of 72.489 percent.
Marcus Orlob and Jane after a job well done. (Shannon Brinkman photo)
The mare did not grind her teeth loudly, as she had in Thursday’s test, and also seemed more in front of the vertical this time around. Aside from a fumble in the two-tempis, it was a flowing test with the usual passage/piaffe highlights. Known for her spookiness, she kept a lid on it until the crowd applauded after her final halt. Jane jumped sideways, but the scores already were in.
“Today, finally, I think we are closer to the goal; relaxed Jane and happy Jane,” said Marcus.
“I was very happy. I had a few little things, but overall, I was happy — first of all she went in the ring, into Aachen and pretty much focused the whole test on my aids.”
He said Alice Tarjan, Jane’s owner, and chef d’equipe Christine Traurig both feel the sensitive mare just needs time.
“She was breathing relaxed and I think it was also a relief for her that it’s not a big deal, it’s okay. She for sure deserves a little vacation, because we really trained hard. Then I would like to aim for (Dressage at ) Devon.”
So there’s more to do.
“I think I have to keep going with trail riding, ship her to different venues, desensitize her and basically show her the world.”
Meanwhile in the class, there was another blood in the mouth incident, this time involving Poland’s Sandra Syosjeva and Maxima Bella. Unlike what happened with judge Raphael Saleh and Kevin Kohmann’s Dunensee when he was eliminated for blood in the 5-star Grand Prix on Thursday, Judge Christof Umbach wiped the mouth of Sandra’s horse and held up the cloth so the blood could be seen, leaving no doubt about her elimination.
click here for 4-star Grand Prix Special results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 3, 2025
The USA continued cutting a major swath through the show jumping prizes at Aachen on Thursday, winning the 1 million Euro Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup with strong performances by all four team members.
Lillie Keenan on Argan de Beliard was the only double clear for America, finishing fourth individually, but Kent Farrington (Toulayna) and Laura Kraut (Bisquetta) each had one fault-free trip. Anchor rider McLain Ward produced his usual clutch performance to avoid a jump-off or worse, a loss, by putting in a perfect crucial second round with Imperial HBF.
Lillie Keenan, the USA’s only Nations Cup double clear, with Argan de Beliard.
McLain’s newest ride got some voice encouragement at the water jump, where he had splashed in the first round, then flew along without error when it was crucial.
The U.S. total was 4 penalties over two rounds (with drop scores allowed in each round, unlike the rules in the Longines League of Nations). Belgium was second with 8 and Great Britain rounded out the podium on 10 penalties. The most difficult obstacle on Frank Rothenberger’s course was the triple combination of vertical, oxer, vertical, with the third element sporting a distracting water tray.
Among those who weren’t able to ace the triple were such big names as Germany’s individual Olympic gold medalist Christian Kukuk with a relatively new mount, Cepano Baloubet, France’s Kevin Staut with New Libero One and Abdel Said of Belgium–though he got cheers from the crowd after clearing it following a disastrous first attempt with Bonne Amie.
McLain Ward and Imperial HBF. (U.S.Equestrian photo)
The U.S. first won the Cup at Aachen in 1962, and most recently in 2021, with a total of seven victories in the competition over the years.
It’s been a great Aachen so far for the American show jumpers, with Laura (Emeraldo) and Kent (Myla) winning individual classes on Wednesday, while McLain did the same Thursday morning on Home Town Hero.
The American flag front and center at the Aachen stadium, where U.S. show jumpers have dominated.
“It’s an honor for all of us to be here,” Coach Robert Ridland said after his team was awarded its trophies.
The U.S. team of Kent Farrington, McLain Ward, Laura Kraut and Lilllie Keenan. (US Equestrian photo)
“This is what we came for. We always hold Aachen as the pinnacle ever since years and years ago, I rode here and now we have these all stars here. The five riders who came here (Aaron Vale was not on the Cup team) were the top five on our ranking list, because for us, this is the most important show.
“Nobody seems to have been able to remember (one country) winning the first four classes at Aachen. We’re quite enjoying that. We’re honored, we’re privileged because this is the Mecca of show jumping.”
Peter Weinberg, chef d ‘équipe of the Belgian team, said, “It was an unbelievable evening, we came quite close at the end. But the Americans were fantastic. Our team is a super troop and we are very proud to have come second.“
The British team that has made the winners’ podium three times consecutively and came third for the second timewill keep on trying,” said chef d ‘équipe, Di Lampard. She praised Aachen debutante Georgia Tame, who had only one time penalty in each round with Be Golden Lynx.
U.S. Coach Robert Ridland, managing director show jumping Lizzy Chesson and the USEF’s Hallye Griffin.
The crowd was estimated at 40,000, and McLain noted, “It’s always an incredible evening. The spectators here at Aachen are like no other place in the world.
“It’s hallowed ground, one of the cathedrals of the sport. Winning a class here is an honor. It really feels like you’re at the top of your game.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s big class, McLain noted, “Winning the Aachen Grand Prix is like a girl I could never get a date with. I think I’ve won almost every class here but the grand prix,” noted the man who was a close second last year.
Click here for team results from the show jumping Nations Cup; click this link for individual results from the Nations Cup.
Dressage was the polar opposite for the U.S.
In the 5-star Grand Prix for that discipline’s Lambertz Nations Cup, anchor rider Kevin Kohmann didn’t make it past the reinback aboard Dunensee when judge Raphael Saleh stopped him, stepped out of the box and wiped the horse’s mouth with a white cloth.
The judge who stopped Kevin Kohmann mid-test wipes his horse’s mouth for evidence of blood.
“While there was no blood found by the stewards after we exited the ring or by our team veterinarian back in stabling, we’re still glad these rules are in place to prioritize the welfare in our sport,” Kevin stated.
“The judge’s decision is final, so there is no avenue for us to appeal. We’ve decided as a team the best next step is for us to meet internally with USEF (U.S. Equestrian Federation) to provide constructive feedback that can be shared with the FEI as they continue to evaluate the application of the blood rule in competition.”
In an email response to an inquiry from this website, the FEI called the situation “a straightforward case of blood in the mouth of Kevin Kohmann’s horse. The combination were eliminated as per FEI Dressage Rules
Article 424.
5.6. Bleeding. 5.6.1.
If the Judge at C suspects fresh blood anywhere on the Horse during the test, they will stop the Horse to check for blood. If the Horse shows fresh blood, it will be eliminated. The elimination is final. If the Judge through examination clarifies that the Horse has no fresh blood, the Horse may resume and finish its test.
“There was no formal protest lodged and the USA team completed the CDIO FEI Dressage Nations Cup™, as the remaining three combinations all registered scores.”
For his part, Kevin commented, “I’m looking forward to getting back into the ring with Scala tomorrow (in the Intermediare I) knowing that Denzel (his Grand Prix horse’s barn name) is happy, healthy and ready to represent the U.S. again in the future.”
The U.S. finished eighth of nine teams, while Germany as usual took the top prize. Click here for individual results, and this link for team results.
Germany’s Isabel Werth came close to earning 80 percent on Wendy de Fontaine, obtaining a personal best of 79.761 percent with the mare as she finished at the head of the class.
Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine. (Photo CHIO Aachen/Jasmin Metzner)
Speaking of her relatively brief partnership with Wendy, Isabel said, “The story started in Aachen last year. it’s just one year more or less we are together. It’s so amazing and really incredible to look back and realize what happened in one year. The mare is so fantastic, really focused and wants to do her best. It was a very good test today.”
Kevin’s situation was all too reminiscent of Marcus Orlob’s elimination in the Paris Olympics, when his mount, Jane, got a tiny scratch on one leg after spooking before entering the arena. He was partway through his test when a judge stopped him after seeing the scratch on his mare’s white leg and he was eliminated. The scratch subsequently was deemed to be of no consequence when a veterinarian looked at it after Jane left the ring.
Meanwhile, I can’t help recalling the show jumper that went around the arena at the Tokyo Olympics four years ago with blood streaming from its nose. That horse wasn’t stopped.
Everyone is very conscious of social license to operate and the need to prevent abuse, but some common sense has to prevail. Should a spot of blood that is barely visible be enough to halt a performance? In instances like that, where the amount of blood is negligible, why not let the vets decide after the horse is examined once it leaves the ring whether its score should count?
Former U.S. dressage chef d’equipe Robert Dover had a thought on social media sparked by Thursday’s blood situation:
“After seeing what happened to our American rider today in Aachen in the Nations Cup, being eliminated for blood, here is my thought. Regardless of whether there is or is not clear blood seen by the C judge, the FEI Steward is always close enough that they should proceed quickly to the horse and head judge and the two of them, together, should look and determine whether it is, in fact, blood or something else. This would take the pressure on the brief moment away from solely the judge.”
In four-in-hand driving, the eternally dominant Australian Boyd Exell was a winner once more.
His team Celviro, Checkmate, Hero and Mister Bono van’t Hooge reined back simultaneously in perfect symmetry, extended their pace and let themselves be collected again beautifully.
The judges awarded that quartet 31.73 minus points for their performance. That was exactly one minus point less than the American driver, Chester Weber, had collecrted. So the victory in the Prize of Martello Immobilienmanagement GmbH & Co. KG belongs to Boyd. Chester ranked second, ahead of the German individual driver, Anna Mareike Meier, on a score of 40.4 minus points.
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by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 2, 2025
Most of the biggest names in their disciplines, whether it’s show jumping, dressage, driving or eventing, are at Germany’s premier Aachen festival this week. There’s no annual equestrian competition like it. As they used to say about the circus, it’s the greatest show on earth.
The world number one in jumping lived up to his reputation Wednesday evening, as the USA’s Kent Farrington took the rain-delayed Turkish Airlines Prize of Europe with Myla.
Twelve from the field of 46 took part in the jump-off for the class. With a purse of 200,000 Euros ($236,000) riding on a course set by Aachen’s resident designer, Frank Rothenberger, the daunting test under the lights anywhere else would be the grand prix (which at Aachen is the Rolex fixture on Sunday).
Bursts of rain, even after the delay, broke the oppressive heat in the high 90s that had descended on the area, making the route even more difficult on the spacious and scenic grass field.
Challenges included an oxer with a plank for its front rail and round “water trays” acting as an artistic version of a liverpool. They were among visual highlights. The oxer in the middle of the triple combination came down the most of any obstacle. That was where the USA’s Laura Kraut saw her clean trip with Baloutinue frustrated.
Two other U.S. riders had equally frustrating moments elsewhere. McLain Ward’s mare, Callas, knocked a rail at the first fence, while Aaron Vale crashed through the airy Lindt vertical with Carissimo 25, after which he retired.
But Kent, who went first and fastest in the initial round, had the advantage of jumping last in the tie breaker because he was the quickest.
He was looking to edge Israel’s Daniel Bluman, the leader to that point clocked in an impressive 38.81 seconds aboard the Zangersheide Corbie v.V.
Kent knows how to execute, though, and came home with a narrow margin of victory in 38.53 seconds aboard his 10-year-old Holsteiner mare.
Myla and Kent speeding to the finish line. (Shannon Brinkman photo)
How did he do it?
“I think on this little horse, she’s just faster. I do the same number of strides or maybe more, but her footspeed is so fast it’s a big advantage in a jump-off like this.
“She’s incredibly brave, she gives her whole heart. She really goes with the rider, she tries to do anything I ask and she was out here trying to win tonight. She’s a big heart in a small package.”
Daniel wasn’t surprised that Kent overtook him.
“I know him well, he’s a good friend and he takes a risk and he’s calculated,” he said, adding he was happy with the way the week started.
Third-place Ben Maher of Britain explained his strategy with Dallas Vegas Batilly: “I have had a few problems in jump-off lately, I risked too much and Dallas has lost a bit of confidence. Today, I was too slow over the first two jumps and lost a bit of time, but the mare jumped brilliantly, full of confidence. So it was the best preparation for tomorrow, because she is competing in the Nations Cup for the team.”
Kent and Myla at the prizegiving. (U.S. Equestrian photo)
The other American in the class, Lillie Keenan, finished ninth in 41.93 on the aptly named Fasther.
Click here for results.
Earlier in the day, rain did not keep Laura Kraut from victory in the the Prize of StädteRegion Aachen. As she started on course with Emeraldo, it began pouring, but she kept going through the storm. She and the 9-year-old gelding by Emerald stopped the clock at 31.98 seconds – that would be the best time in the class.
“After leaving the arena, I joked that I had only ridden so fast, because I wanted to get out of the ring,” Laura said.
The Netherlands’ Kevin Jochems on Prada da Costa M was second in 32.40.
Click here for results
In dressage, Kevin Kohmann made his Aachen debut count for the USA, finishing fifth in the Prix St. Georges with Scala, who was undeterred by a burst of thunder and a downpour during his test.
Rain did not deter Kevin Kohmann and Scala from a great effort in the Prix St. Georges. (U.S. Equestrian Photo)
The black Hanoverian did spook after an ovation following Kevin’s final salute, but that didn’t affect his score of 69.559, nudging 70 percent.
He finished fifth, one place ahead of the other American contender, Marcus Orlob on the stallion J.J. Glory Day, who showed tension as he earned a score of 69.294. Germany’s Fredric Wandres won with Quizmaster FRH (73.912 percent).
“Quizzie has been our lucky charm for the past five years already. It is always good to get off to a good start in the Small Tour,” said Fredric.
“Although Quizmaster is very experienced, we still have to put everything into practice in the arena.Today, we experienced the entire range of weather conditions. We even had a light thunderstorm during our test. But it was okay. And he still fully demonstrated all of his strengths.”
In the 4-star dressage Grand Prix, Marcus was tenth of 24 starters with his relatively well-behaved Olympic mount, Jane, who did not spook or rear, but was grinding her teeth loudly throughout her test. They earned 70.913 percent in the class won by Isabel Freese of Norway on Total Hope Old with 74.261 percent.
Stick with us all week for more stories from Aachen. Just keep checking back as we update.Click here for Prix St. Georges results and here for Grand Prix results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 30, 2025
Churchill Downs posted a photo of the late trainer D. Wayne Lukas’ pony making one final visit to the track today, the saddle empty, his black boots reversed in the stirrups, the traditional way of honoring a fallen hero.
Outrider Greg Blasi with D. Wayne Lukas’ pony at Churchill Downs in a tribute to the late trainer. (Photo courtesy Churchill Downs)
Wayne was a familiar sight at the track in the mornings, watching from horseback as the thoroughbreds he trained galloped through their workouts. Just standing there, he made an impression wearing his big cowboy hat, and more recently, a helmet without a chin strap. He became as integral a part of any track as the starting gate or the tote board.
His horses won 15 Triple Crown races and 20 Breeders’ Cup races; he received four Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Trainer. Among his many stellar runners were Winning Colors, Serena’s Song, Thunder Gulch, and Lady’s Secret.
“The Coach” died Saturday, shortly after announcing his retirement from training at age 89. He was suffering from an MRSA infection, saying that instead of seeking treatment, he wanted to spend what time he had left with his family.
Jockey Frankie Dettori recalled, “I’ll never forget walking into the barn at Churchill Downs and seeing him, sharp as ever in his cowboy hat, already working before sunrise. The man had a presence, you felt it even before he spoke.”
Fellow trainer Bob Baffert recalled that Wayne, someone he met when both were racing quarter horses, “was a game changer, transforming horse racing for the better. He made it so the horse’s bloodlines were more important than the owner’s. He created a system of flying his horses coast to coast, establishing a presence at every major racetrack in America.
“And Wayne didn’t just show up. He dominated. He won so much he became known as “D. Wayne off the plane”. He developed the blueprint the rest of us still follow. He was a true visionary,” Bob continued.
“The horses were everything to Wayne. They were his life. From the way he worked them, how he cared for them, and how he maintained his shed row as meticulously as he did his horses. No detail was too small. Many of us got our graduate degrees in training by studying how Wayne did it.”
Wayne was as good at making people comfortable as he was in getting the best out of his horses.
As Bob observed, “He had a knack for making others feel seen and valued.”
One of those on the receiving end of Wayne’s warmth was Jamie Saults, a talent assistant and stage manager for NBC. At the Derby this year, when Wayne saw her, he said, “We go way back, don’t we?”
So Jamie sat down and talked to him for a little while.
“I told him I had one of his trophies and asked him if he wanted it,” she recounted.
He replied, “I just donated 7,500 of them to the museum. You keep it, honey.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 25, 2025
Ilex, ridden to team silver in the 2024 Olympics by McLain Ward, has gone back Bonne Chance Farm so he can once more represent Brazil.
“We are grateful for the opportunity that we were given to ride and compete Ilex to numerous 5-star Grand Prix successes and to bring home the team silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games,” McLain commented.
“Thank you to Gilberto Sayao and his team at Bonne Chance for this opportunity and supporting our journey to achieve lofty goals. A special thank you to Fabio Leivas da Costa (Ilex’s former rider), Lucia Rivas and Diego Perez Bilbao for their efforts in creating this partnership. Ilex has been a wonderful partner with an exuberant and kind personality and we look forward to seeing his continued success in the sport.”
McLain Ward and Ilex. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Ilex will now be ridden by Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, who competed in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Championships.
“While we will miss Ilex in our stable, we are pleased to see him with a rider and horseman of the quality of Marlon Zanotelli,” McLain stated.
Meanwhile, McLain has a sensational new horse in Imperial HBF, formerly ridden by Great Britain’s Tim Gredley. Imperial put in two clear rounds in last month’s Rome Nations Cup, where anchor rider McLain clinched victory for the U.S.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 22, 2025
One of the world’s fastest show jumpers blended talents with her speed-loving rider to take the $355,000 Grand Prix of Rotterdam Sunday in an eight-horse jump-off.
Caracole de la Roque and Karl Cook did what they do best when the clock is ticking and the pressure is on, handling a clever course in a wicked 37.17 seconds. France’s Nina Mallevaey was closest in 38.09 on Dynastie de Beaufort to finish as runner-up. It was a trio of mares at the top of the standings, as Donald Whitaker of Great Britain (nephew of John and Michael Whitaker) wound up third on Millfield Colette (38.78).
Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque on their way to victory in Rotterdam. (Tiffany van Halle/USA Jumping photo)
Noting “Nina is riding at a very high level,” Karl observed that her clear round consistency “must be something off the charts. She’s a very quick rider.”
However, while discussing what gave him the win, he noted, “the biggest thing, really, is my horse is faster. That doesn’t mean my horse is better than Nina’s; she carries herself over the ground faster. We both did six strides to the second-to-last, but if you see how quickly Caracole turned (there), compared to Nina’s horse, we turned significantly faster and that obviously saved a bunch of time. Nina gave it everything she had, which is what you should do.” But “Caracole is just amazingly fast.”
Karl’s victory was the first for an American in the Dutch grand prix since 2015, when Lucy Davis won with Barron. Although he had the disadvantage of being second to go in the tie-breaker, Karl’s time pushed those coming behind him, with four of them making mistakes, while the other three couldn’t get into the 37-second neighborhood.
In the first round, a vertical-vertical-oxer triple combination four strides from a delicate plank that was the final fence showcased the thought process of the course design team led by Belgium’s Bart Vonck, and it emerged as a trouble spot. The USA’s Aaron Vale on Styles was two jumps away from a clean round when he toppled the back rail of the triple’s C element to end in thirteenth place.
As for the other U.S. riders, Laura Kraut, who won the class in 2007, had a rail with her Olympic mount Baloutinue at the sixth of 14 fences and did not make the tiebreaker. She finished sixteenth. Her teammate, Alessandra Volpi, logged 12 penalties with Haya Loma N and wound up thirty-ninth.
There were problems all around the route; even the first fence, an innocent-looking vertical, started several riders off on the wrong foot with a knockdown. They included Olympic individual gold medalist Christian Kukuk of Germany aboard Just Be Gentle, the mare on whom he won the grand prix at the Longines League of Nations in Ocala three months ago.
Karl’s win helped make up for a fifth-place U.S. team finish in Friday’s Longines FEI League of Nations, where he had the drop score of 8 penalties in the first round and did not ride in the second. But he has become a master of overcoming setbacks by utilizing determination and skill, as well as taking an astute analytical look at a situation when it goes wrong.
Discussing his performance in the League of Nations, Karl said, “My first rail (that was down) I overdid the line, I was expected it to be shorter than it ended up being, so the line got flat and we had kind of a long, withers-down jump.
“After that, the oxer, we were looking off to our right; normally she drives to the fences, that’s one of her great qualities. But because I let her be too focused to the right, she didn’t really know there was a fence coming, so the distance kept getting longer and I didn’t react soon enough because normally when she sees it, she takes me to it. and we jump and it’s fine. I needed to put my leg on earlier than I did. That was a bummer.”
On the other hand, what happened with his League round gave him even more incentive to produce a winning trip in the grand prix.
“You’ve got to fix your errors,” he explained.
“We’re ecstatic about the grand prix and it shows a lot of really good things. At the same time, it shows we could come back from a not so good (League of) Nations cup. But us winning today doesn’t negate the fact that we were the drop score in the nations cup. I still need to go back home and do a bunch of work and improve on that.”
But as for Caracole, Karl emphasized, “She was amazing today.”
U.S. Coach Robert Ridland offered the same comment about the mare’s pilot.
“Karl rode amazing today, both rounds. It doesn’t get a whole lot better than that,” he said.
Robert was pleased with how his team did overall at the Dutch show, despite the fifth place finish in the League competition, because team members had clear rounds and good placings in other classes as well.
“Karl just put the icing on the cake today,” he pointed out, callling Karl’s first round in the grand prix “so solid,” noting “the mare jumped great and he rode phenomenally.”
Robert told Karl, “for me, your first round in the grand prix was the best round you and Caracole have done since Paris” (the 2024 Olympics).
With the fifth-place League finish, the U.S. seems like a lock to make the finals in Barcelona this fall, according to Robert, unless the last qualifier is a total disaster.
“We solidified our situation this year. We wanted to leave here knowing that we don’t have to change course going into St. Tropez,” said Robert, referring to the final leg of the League of Nations in September. The U.S. is tied for a relatively comfy fourth place in the overall League standings.
And that’s all good.
“It’s a hard thing to plan later in the season when you have so many big events in North America (during the fall). We have a much harder problem than the Europeans do getting teams to Barcelona at that time of year,” Robert explained.
“All four riders were great this week,” he said of his squad.
Karl’s win was another major to match his 2024 victory in the Rome grand prix that got him selected for the Olympics, where he was on the silver medal team. He isn’t on the U.S. team for Aachen next month, but is planning on going to Falsterbo, Sweden, later this summer. Also on the agenda is a hope he can be part of the team for that last League of Nations leg at St. Tropez, followed by the League’s Barcelona final.
While the Europeans have their show jumping championship this summer in Spain, it’s an off-year for championships in which U.S. riders participate. Karl sees that as an opportunity.
“This year is about doing really good homework and improving things that, when you’re in the championship sprint, you don’t have that much time to fix. You have to keep your head down and keep going.”
It’s also an opportunity to give Caracole some time off during the year and bring along other horses to support her.
Caracole can be dynamite, but she’s an incredible talent that Karl respects and loves, as evidenced by they way he likes to give her a quick kiss on the neck before he starts his rounds, as he did Sunday afternoon.
Karl always tries for that kiss, but he can do it only “If she lets me,” he noted fondly.
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 18, 2025
British course designer Alec Lochore will produce the eventing cross-country route for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics at Santa Anita Park, the FEI (international equestrian federation) announced Wednesday.
No stranger to the Games, Alec was the eventing manager at the 2012 Olympics in London, overseeing not only planning for cross-country at Greenwich Park, but also serving in the same role at the Tokyo Games in 2021. The 53-year-old official’s resume also includes experience at the FEI World Equestrian Games and the European Championships, as well as two terms on the FEI eventing committee.
“I am humbled, honored and delighted to have been asked to design the cross-country track for the Olympic Games LA28,” Alec said.
“It will be a great challenge, and one which I am looking forward to immensely.
“I am fortunate enough to have been involved with the organization and planning of several Olympic Games, and each Olympics is unique and special. The Olympics is the biggest showcase that our sport — that any sport — has, and to be chosen as course designer is very exciting.”
According to FEI President Ingmar de Vos, Alec “was instrumental in advising the FEI on the cross-country feasibility at the LA28 equestrian venue at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia and we are confident that, in cooperation with Mike Etherington-Smith, he will design a course that challenges the world’s best while showcasing the heart of our sport to a wider global audience.”
Mike, a former chief executive of British eventing, laid out the cross-country at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and was the longtime designer of the Kentucky 5-star.
Alec designs more than 50 courses each year, including for such well-known events as the Burnham Market CCI 4-star, as well as Houghton International and Barbury Castle, also 4-stars. He has also taken his talent abroad, working in India, Australia and Zambia.
In the U.S., he designed at TerraNova, east of Sarasota, Fla., where the November 2024 4-star Long was the country’s last major event of the year.
Santa Anita racetrack hosted the 1984 Olympic equestrian competition, with the exception of cross-country, which was on a golf course near San Diego, south of Los Angeles.
Santa Anita Park.
The facility’s selection at the LA28 equestrian venue was a surprise to many, since it seemed that Galway Downs in Temecula had the inside track for the competition under the decision that every phase of the competition had to be at the same location. But Galway, a frequent eventing venue, is further from Los Angeles than Santa Anita, which is in a more populated area close to many hotels, and it is felt that Arcadia would be cooler in July than Temecula.
There were questions about how cross-country could be held at Santa Anita. However, the track is set on 320 acres, and it has a lot of topography, as well as great view of the San Gabriel mountains.
A huge crowd watched at Santa Anita in 1984 when Mark Todd won eventing gold at the Olympics.
It is home to as many as 2,000 horses, with the exception of August, when the thoroughbreds move south to Del Mar so the track can work on maintenance. It also has a veterinary hospital that offers nuclear scintigraphy which utilizes small tracer amounts of radioactive molecules to diagnose diseases involving bone, soft tissues and vessels. It will need to house only 200 horses for the Olympic equestrian competition.
There is ample room for cross-country in the areas set aside for parking, as well as in the infield, where a 5-star grand prix was held last autumn and will be staged again this November.
Work on the Santa Anita cross-country track is scheduled to begin “in the coming weeks.
