by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 13, 2025
A spectacular victory in the Rolex Grand Prix of Falsterbo, Sweden, once again demonstrated the effectiveness of show jumper Karl Cook and the incredible Caracole de la Roque against both the clock and a stellar field of rivals.
It was the second time in three weeks that the American combination showed its mastery in Europe, having won the Rotterdam, Netherlands, grand prix last month. And it was the first time since 1992 that a U.S. rider had won the grand prix at Falsterbo, though this is the first time it has been designated as a Rolex competition.
Cara — who U.S. Coach Robert Ridland contends “for sure” is the fastest horse in the grand prix world — had the advantage of going last in the tiebreaker by virtue of being the quickest in the first round. In the second round, where Cara finished in 43.28 seconds, Karl was aiming at the time set by the Netherlands’ Sanne Thijssen on the 19-year-old Con Quidam RB.
Sanne, whose father, Leon, won the Falsterbo grand prix in 2007, was blazing at the beginning of her round over the shortened 8-obstacle course. She finished in 43.74 seconds after giving it everything she had. No shame in coming second to a horse with a reputation like Caracole’s, though.
And Sanne had the edge over the third-place entry of European Champion Steve Guerdat of Switzerland, timed in 44.20 seconds on Dynamix de Belheme, who earned the same placing last week in Aachen.
The challenging format of the 500,000 Euro class presented by Agria offered a second round open to 25 percent of the 50 participants, or 13 riders. That turned out to be just one less the number who went fault-free over 14 obstacles in the first round, which meant Frank Rothenberg and his team practically set a perfect course.
Karl was ecstatic about what he and Cara achieved. After his time on the podium, he kept his victory gallop going, reveling in the sustained applause from the sold-out venue.
“I’m just so elated,” Karl said about enjoying another triumph, only two days after he put in the only double-clear for the U.S. team that was second in the Nations Cup.
“Caracole is everything,” the Californian continued, citing the team behind her and himself, as well as “the U.S. team; her owner, my mom (Signe Ostby).
“It’s a joy. I think she’s the fastest horse I’ve ever ridden and it’s great when you go in the jump-off and you know you have this beat. It’s whether me as a rider can bring it out,” he explained.
Looking at Sanne’s trip, Karl said, “I knew if I could handle the technical-type part well, I knew I had ground speed over her.”
The Rolex podium at Falsterbo: Karl Cook, runner-up Sanne Thijssen and Steve Guerdat. (Rolex photo)
Karl was the only U.S. rider to go clean in the first round. Carly Anthony had two rails with Heavenly W, world number one-ranked rider Kent Farrington on Toulayna tumbled a rail at the troublesome triple combination and McLain Ward dropped two poles with Callas, at the liverpool and the final oxer.
Discussing Karl’s performance, Coach Robert said, “The way he’s riding her (Cara) is beyond reproach. He’s gotten really consistent. Those four rounds (the two in the Nations Cup) and the two today, you couldn’t fault him. He rode beautifully. She’s an amazing mare.
“His strategy was perfect today. Those were two fast times he had to beat. They didn’t give it to him at all. The question was whether he was going to do six after the double (4A and B) or five, the leave-out, and the decision was do the six. Unless he really jumped out of the double, he was going to play the audible there.”
Plan A was the six because as Robert noted, Karl and his consultant trainer, former world champion Eric Navet, “were pretty sure she could make up for it with her foot speed to the jump at the end and then obviously, duplicating what Steve Guerdat did in the turn to the second-to last and then 11 strides home. She’s just quicker, but that was beautifully executed. It was really fun to watch.”
Before the prize-giving, Karl spoke to Sanne and congratulated her impressive effort.
“She and that horse are amazing,” he said.
“They’ve been together for over 10 years. It’s such a cool horse story. She and that horse are inspiring and you have to give credit to the journey they have had.”
Karl had a good tour of Europe this spring and summer, with lessons along the way. In Rome during May, for instance, he admitted to a mistake before the grand prix by choosing studs that were too small to handle the footing.
“I really feel if I had chosen the correct studs and we didn’t slip, the two major slips we had in that grand prix, we had a serious chance of jumping clear,” he said.
You can bet that the right studs were chosen for the grass footing in Falsterbo.
“We went bigger. If you make a mistake, you better learn from it,” Karl advised.
But aside from attention to detail, there’s no one secret that has him on a winning streak.
“When you get the opportunity to show at high level shows with the right cadence with the same horses, you’re basically bound to get better,” he commented.
“We did that last year and and I think we did it again this year.”
Robert pointed out, “It obviously doesn’t hurt having these 5-star nations cups under your belt. It’s a different world. He’s gotten quite comfortable with it. Having the teammates he has, it rubs off, and especially this year, when we’re on a bit of a roll.”
Let’s face it. Buying a world-famous horse and trying to ride up to that animal’s capability is a challenge, and it wasn’t easy for Karl, particularly at the beginning.
But while the two of them now obviously are working in sync and achieving success, Karl emphasized about the result, “It’s very much not just me. We do everything we can to track every detail that we’re able to, and make adjustments to any detail that we need to. That’s a credit to the strong team that we have, and it’s important for the incremental minute gains. You build up enough of them, you become powerful. No one thing is the secret.”
Karl Cook was all smiles after his winning ride. (Photo USA Equestrian)
Cara is heading home for a rest. The next outing for the 5-star U.S. team is in St. Tropez during September and then the Longines FEI League of Nations final in Barcelona during October. No one has been named to those squads at this point, but I would guess Karl might be a part of it, considering his recent record.
The schedule is so demanding that it can be difficult to have enough riders to keep up with the pace. As Robert pointed out, the Swedes skipped Aachen, where the U.S. won the nations cup, so they could field their best combinations at their home show. And it worked.
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 11, 2025
But the U.S. show jumping team came very close in the Agria Falsterbo Nations Cup Friday, finishing second to the Swedish home squad by 4 penalties. It broke a tie by being better on the clock than Ireland, which also had 8 penalties over two rounds to finish third.
The winning Swedish team of Amanda Landeblad, Petronella Andersson, Chef d’Equipe Henrik Ankarcrona, Peder Fredricson and Henrik von Eckermann.
The podium finish came on the heels of the American triumph last week in the Aachen, Germany, Nations Cup, where Frank Rothenberg was also the course designer.
U.S. Coach Robert Ridland considers Aachen the gold standard of Nations Cups and was hoping to make it two in a row in the Scandinavian location. The U.S. has won four times at Falsterbo, but not since 2007.
“I guess we’re getting greedy,” mused Robert with a smile, moments after the competition ended.
On the other hand, he pointed out, “We always aim for the podium, and that’s clearly what we got.”
The composition of the Falsterbo team was different from the Aachen team with the exception of anchor rider McLain Ward, although he was on High Star Hero, rather than Imperial HBF.
Rising star Spencer Smith took on the role that Lillie Keenan (also on a gray horse) had played at Aachen, delivering two clears as pathfinder aboard Keeneland. Robert wisely focuses on bringing along younger riders when possible.
Spencer Smith and Keeneland.
He was convinced one of those, Carly Anthony, would have jumped clear in the first round on Heavenly W, had her horse not lost a shoe before the next-to-last jump, which she had down. Had all else gone as it eventually did, that clear round would have meant a jump-off with Sweden.
The footing was grass and it held up well, but considering the rain, horses needed shoes with appropriate caulks in order to handle the surface.
At the end of the first round, the U.S., Sweden, Ireland and Switzerland all were tied on 4 faults. Swizterland eventually finished fourth with the slowest time of the top group after the competition ended.
The Swedes had plenty to wave their flags about.
Karl Cook, winner of the Rotterdam grand prix last month with Caracole de la Roque, went double-clear. If there was a jump-off, he would have been the USA’s designated rider, and Robert said caulks were already being switched on Cara’s hind shoes as Karl prepared for that eventuality, but after McLain logged 4 faults in the second round, there was no need.
Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque. (USA Jumping/Helen Cruden)
Had McLain gone fault-free, it would have prompted the jump-off with Sweden. That country is often the USA’s chief rival, as it was in the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games and the Tokyo Olympics, Robert pointed out.
Robert Ridland and McLain Ward.
In the first round, McLain had a rail at the third fence, a narrow red and blue vertical, with his 13-year-old mount by Zazu out of a Darco mare. He left that fence untouched in the second round, but toppled a pole at the ninth obstacle, a 1.60 meter vertical.
The Swedish effort was buoyed by packed stands despite the steady rain that fell during the class, which did not deter hordes of fans who kept busy waving their blue and yellow flags.
Former world number one Henrik von Eckermann, the Swedes’ anchor rider, produced two fault-free trips on Minuteman.
Henrik von Eckermann on Minute Man (Photo Roland Thunholm)
We have gotten used to seeing Henrik on King Edward, but he’s bringing along a new string, and Minute Man’s scope and concentration are impressive. In addition, he won the grand prix qualifier on Thursday with Steely Dan.
“Minute Man hasn’t been in my stable that long,” said Henrik.
“He has had a very good development.But today it felt like yet another push forward. It feels like the trust has built up enormously over the last few weeks,” Henrik commented about his sensitive mount.
He added “In the first round, I was a bit annoyed that I was so close to the time. So I could step it up a little in the second round, with one less to the water and one less to the third. And still, he did it so very, very well. I’m very, very happy with him and of course to be able to contribute a bit to the team, since last year, it wasn’t like that.”
Peder Fredricson and Alcapone des Carmille.
For his part, team member Peder Fredricson said, “It’s always fun to ride on home soil. It’s a fantastic competition to win at with that crowd and that atmosphere. You step up on the podium there and you see the Swedish crowd and there’s no better place to be than there.”
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 30, 2025
Reflecting on her decision to retire after 47 years of a high-profile career at Rutgers University, Dr. Karyn Malinowski explained simply: “It’s time.”
Yet it’s hard to think of the Rutgers Equine Science Center, of which she is the founding director, without Karyn at the helm. She has been behind so many research projects that have made a difference, such as those involving her irreplaceable expertise in equine aging and stress management.
“Her whole life has been dedicated to the horse. I would call her a towering figure in the equestrian world,” said Max Spann Jr., who serves as a member-at-large on the Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement (RUBEA), which advises the Equine Science Center at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
Karyn in her familiar spot at the lectern. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)_
“No one has had more energy and passion about the horse and equine industry,” observed Max, who grew up riding quarter horses.
Although Karyn has a special fondness for Standardbreds, he noted that she “reached out to all different disciplines and did so much not only to promote, but also encourage, the next generations to get into the equine world. I often refer to her as a force of nature, someone with so much energy, so much drive, constantly moving.”
Karyn enjoyed interacting with Standardbreds and driving them. (Photo courtesy Rutgers Equine Science Center)
And of course, she won’t stop moving, even after having closed her office door for the last time on June 30. The professor of animal science will continue her efforts to help keep standardbred racing going in New Jersey (she’s also involved with the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in New York) and she’ll stay involved with many aspects of horse welfare. She has plans to do some consulting and as you would expect, is getting “tons of calls” from people who want her expertise. First, however, she will take some time to relax and do a little gardening at her Manville, N.J., home.
Karyn with the late Assemblyman Ronald Dancer.
Although her accomplishments are many, building the Equine Science Center, recognized by the board of directors in 2001, stands out.
The question of what is next for the Equine Science Center and who will lead it has yet to be answered, but “We’re very proud of it and we want to continue it,” said Executive Dean Laura Lawson of the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
“It’s always complicated transitioning when you’ve had a great leader. We are being careful, we are involving the advisory group, the stakeholders, the board of managers. It’s not going to be an immediate announcement of a new director, but we are definitely in the planning stage and we have every intention of hiring new faculty and continuing to support the Equine Science Center,” the dean commented.
In the meantime, she said, the center will continue to operate, even if “it will be a little quiet” during the faculty hiring process, but existing research involving graduate students will not be paused.
“It’s not going anywhere,” the dean promised about the center.
“We’re just going to keep making it stronger.”
Discussing what made Karyn so effective, the dean cited, “her commitment and her constant work with her advisory board and engaging with the industry. She’s the model of that kind of real commitment to working with an industry. She’s a rock star.”
Among Karyn’s other leadership achievements, one that stands out is the 2007 Economic Impact Study for the state of New Jersey which set the standard for all economic studies for horses nationwide and globally.
At this point, Karyn thinks the status of the horse industry in New Jersey is good, even though breeding for both racing and pleasure has declined.
“It’s at a lull. I’m hoping someone will keep that bumped up,” Karyn said, but she is disappointed that there is no longer any representation from New Jersey at the American Horse Council, where she was president of the American Youth Horse Council for two years in the 1990s.
“I loved my time in my career,” reminisced Karyn, who is often seen in vibrant red jackets that reflect her high energy (and Scarlet is Rutgers’ official school color).
Over the decades, Karyn’s mentorship has offered a valuable learning experience to a legion of students. (Photo courtesy Rutgers Equine Science Center.)
“I’ve loved making a difference and enhancing the horse industry in New Jersey. I wish those in the future the best. Times are not going to get easier for pleasure, racing, recreation and sport,” she offered, noting the difficulties presented by such issues as equine welfare, development and the cost of having horses, among other things.
“It’s a huge challenge now,”” she pointed out.
Dr. Jeffrey Thomason from the University of Guelph, one of the many experts Karyn Malinowski brought to Rutgers for seminars..
Dr. Amy Butewicz, the Equine Science Center’s chair emeritus, commented on Karyn’s positive influence.
“In an industry that can often times be divided, she has brought unity and clarity to many research and welfare areas by always focusing on the majestic creature itself — the horse.
“Her love for the horse transcends all boundaries, a deep passion that has led to success and a resume that is truly astounding. Her fierce determination and spirit are the center of her character.”
Another influential horseman who serves as a RUBEA member-at-large is Sam Landy, owner of Congress Hill Farm in Monroe Township, N.J., and operator of Special Strides, a nonprofit that facilitates healing for more than 130 disabled children each week through therapeutic riding and occupational therapy.
He emphasizes that “Equine science is more of a necessity than ever. Equine science can determine the health and happiness of horses. There are people who form opinions about equine and environmental welfare without any scientific knowledge. The only way to legitimately prevent people who wish horses not to be used by humans at all from getting their wish is through science and education.
“Dr. Malinowski championed the use of the Rutgers Equine Science Center to define standards of care for horses and horse farms. The expertise of Karyn’s students and the Equine Science Center is relied upon by the judiciary and legislature to create policy to preserve the horse, New Jersey’s state animal, as a partner to humans in athletic and recreational pursuits.”
Karyn Malinowski with Amy Butewicz and Dr. Michael Fugaro, the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board’s 2025 Horse Person of the Year.
Dr. Ellen Rankins, a post-doctoral research fellow at Colorado State University, did research for her doctorate under the guidance of Karyn and Dr. Ken McKeever.
She is starting a faculty position at Tarleton State University in Texas this autumn and notes her work at Rutgers “set me up for where I am now and the career path I am on. It gave me those research, critical thinking and writing skills that are necessity for a career in the academic world.”
Ellen emphasized Karyn “very much cares for her students as people and that they’re successful in life and that they’re happy in the work that they’re doing. Thinking about Dr. Malinowski’s career trajectory; she’s been a really strong role model, certainly for females. She set the stage for the rest of us who would follow her.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 6, 2025
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.
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
