by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 4, 2024
The only U.S. entry in the Aachen four-in-hand driving, Chester Weber showed style and grace in winning the dressage phase with a score of 35.59 penalties over Australia’s Boyd Exell, the world number one, marked at 38.79.
Chester, the world number 11, said modestly, “There were no obvious mistakes.”
Chester Weber during his winning four-in-hand dressage test. (U.S. Equstrian Photo)
Even with top horses and fantastic facilities for preparation at Aachen, “you still have to get it done,” he pointed out.
One of Chester’s wheelers is Nico Teusje C, who has a story behind him.
“He was a Covid purchase,” said Chester, who explained that during the pandemic, he was going through Facebook saw Nico and another horse on line.
“They were quite young,” he mentioned, but he bought them over the phone anyway. One of them didn’t work out for the four-in-hand, but Nico certainly did.
“This one keeps stepping up and stepping up. This one kept impressing me,” he said of the wheeler.
“We’re always tweaking the plan and trying to listen to what the horses tell us.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 3, 2024
Boyd Martin remains the top American on the FEI’s eventing ranking list, but he has dropped from second to sixth. Meanwhile, Caroline Martin Pamukcu, who will be his teammate at the Olympics this month, made a big jump up from twenty first to eleventh. Liz Halliday Sharp, U.S. Olympic reserve rider, went from nineteenth to fourteenth.
The biggest change was at the top, with Great Britain’s Oliver Townend dropping from first to second after nine months as his compatriot, European Champion Ros Canter, hit number one. Ros is on the team for the Olympics; Oliver is not.
“I was quite shocked to hear I’m world number one.” said Ros, “as it was something that wasn’t on my radar. It’s really exciting news, and I’m thrilled for my whole team because this is a joint effort. I’ve been really lucky to have some fantastic horses in my team.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 27, 2024
One of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s first employees has become its executive director, as Whitney Allen succeeds Kevin Price in the role.
Whitney, formerly USHJA’s director of operations, started her work in governance with the American Horse Shows Association, the predecessor of the U.S. Equestrian Federation. She earned a master’s degree in sports science with a business minor at the University of Kentucky, and has also served as marketing director and managing director of sponsorship for USHJA before taking over the operations position.
Britt McCormick, who became USHJA president in April, said, “We are delighted that Whitney Allen is stepping into the role of executive director. She is a multi-talented, visionary leader with a complete set of creative, strategic and analytical skills to guide our organization in a highly competitive and evolving environment.”
He added, “She has proven operational and leadership experience, a tremendous passion for success and a deep network of relationships within our industry. She also fully embraces the principles of excellence, dedication and service on which the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association was founded. We are confident she will build upon the organization’s legacy and lead us toward a successful future.”
Britt added that the board and USHJA appreciated Kevin Price’s “steady leadership. With many key achievements under Price’s tenure, the United States Hunter Jumper Association is ready for new leadership to build on our past successes and realize our full potential for the future.”
For her part, Whitney said, “I am honored to step into the role of executive director.
“I have great respect and appreciation for what our team has accomplished, and I look forward to leveraging our strong foundation to expand our reach and impact. I have the clear goal of moving the organization forward by working with the board to identify and pursue growth opportunities, collaborating with and inspiring our team, and delivering improved performance for our stakeholders. I cannot wait to get started and take advantage of the significant opportunities ahead.”
Under Whitney’s leadership as director of operations, the organization significantly improved its operational efficiency and strategic direction, driving growth and enhancing performance. Allen spearheaded key initiatives, including the development of innovative marketing strategies and successful sponsorship programs.
In her volunteer roles, Whitney has been a long-time board member of American Horse Publications, where she served as president for five years and is now treasurer. She is also president of the Secretariat Center’s board.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 4, 2024
The USA just missed the podium in the Grand Prix that opened the 5-star dressage team competition at the Aachen World Equestrian Festival on Thursday morning. The team finished fourth with a total of 214.283 percent behind third-place Denmark (215.544).
The squad was led by Olympic team member Marcus Orlob on Jane, who did not disappoint as he came in seventh individually (73.326 percent) on Alice Tarjan’s 10-year-old mare.
Although she was excited upon entering the arena, Jane soon paid attention to her work.
As he went down center line, Marcus said, “I was just praying she behaves better than going in. That’s all I was thinking. Once I turned on the first medium trot, she actually was still a little bit tense and looky, but I knew I had the forward drive, then I said, `Okay, I think I’m in a good place.’
“This was a new experience, with the people, with a huge stadium,” he pointed out.
“It was a little bit shocking for me to see her act like this, but usually she’s learning, she’s smart, actually she allows me then to push her each show a little bit more, show a little bit the brilliance she has.
Piaffe and passage are the strongest points of Marcus Orlob’s mount, Jane.
“In general, the piaffe/passage is a highlight…on the last centerline she was really breathing and relaxing. I was happy with her because I could actually finish on a good note.”
What is he hoping comes out of his work before the Olympics?
“I think, honestly, to trust each other more. It’s a brand new relationship…specially with this scary moment in the beginning, I hope that she trusts me more.”
The third score that counted for the U.S. total was Anna Marek’s mark of 69.522 percent on Fire Fly. She was nineteenth of the 34 who finished the test.
Germany topped the standings on 228.173 ahead of the Netherlands (215.674), propelled by a brilliant performance from the eternal Isabell Werth aboard Wendy de Fontaine (76.500), who will also be her Olympic horse.
The German team has yet to be announced, but it obviously is getting a boost with Isabell’s new mount. The mare has never finished lower than second place since Isabell started showing her in February. The horse, previously known as Queenparks Wendy, had been ridden by Andreas Helgstrand until he was ruled off Denmark’s team after a documentary showing training methods at his stables.
Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine in the awards presentation.
This is the year for new high-powered combinations. In addition to Isabell and Marcus, USA team member Endel Ots (the Olympic traveling reserve) also has been riding Zen Elite Equestrian’s Bohemian (eleventh, 71.435) only for this year. The same is true of Adrienne Lyle and Helix, who skipped Aachen to focus on a combo of training and relaxation. (Read the details here).
“I haven’t ridden in an atmosphere like that,” said Endel, who never started in an international Grand Prix before taking over Bohemian, fourth in the Tokyo Olympics with Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour. Endel consulted with her before his ride as he sought words of wisdom.
“Don’t try too hard,” she advised.
Endel called the stadium experience “really cool and really fun.” He added, “I wanted to do a nice clean, consistent solid ride. It felt great. Each test I learn something new.”
Endel Ots and Zen Elite Equestrian’s Bohemian. (Photo U.S. Equestrian)
Isabell led Germany’s 1-2-3 finish at Aachen, and that was without its world number one rider, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on the world number one horse, TSF Dalera BB. But Ingrid Klimke, also known for her eventing prowess, came very close to Isabell, with 76.043 percent on Franzikus FRH. Ingrid’s father, the late and legendary Olympic multi-gold medalist, Reiner Klimke, would be proud.
Frederic Wandres was third (75.630) on Bluetooth Old. As with the glitches that surfaced during his ride in the 4-star Wednesday on Duke of Britain, a mistake in the tempi changes cost him. It would seem that Ingrid and Frederic will be named to the German team after this show, along with Jessica and Isabell.
Britain, fifth on 213.152, was without its strongest players. World Champion Lottie Fry rode her Games mount, Glamourdale, to victory in the 4-star at Aachen Wednesday and had another horse, the 10-year-old Especial in the 5-star, to wind up tenth (71.935). Neither Carl Hester (who is having a documentary made of his life) nor Charlotte Dujardin, Britain’s other stars, rode at the German show.
Get team results here
Get individual results of the 5-star Grand Prix by clicking here
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 3, 2024
Steffen Peters had a disappointing test with the veteran Suppenkasper in the 4-star Grand Prix at the Aachen World Equestrian Festival on Wednesday, scoring 68.131 percent as he finished nineteenth in a field of 22 starters.
The 16-year-old Suppenkasper, or Mopsie as he is nicknamed, previously never had failed to break 70 percent in a Grand Prix at an FEI competition.
The Dutchbred gelding lacked his characteristic cool, with the trouble starting right at the beginning of the test, when he was marked at 48 percent for the entry and halt, where he was restive and moved backward for a few steps.
Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper.
“Tonight’s test had uncharacteristic tension,” observed U.S. Chef d’Equipe Christine Traurig.
“Steffen, with his vast amount of experience, handled it skillfully.”
While Germany and Denmark are not naming their dressage teams for Paris until after Aachen, the U.S. squad was selected June 25. Steffen was named along with Marcus Orlob and Adrienne Lyle.
Ranked first in the Olympic standings since last year, Steffen competed in Europe during the head-to-head Grand Prix match for short-listed riders at Hagen, Germany. He was, however, excused from June competitions in Rotterdam and Kronberg, Germany, where other candidates participated.
Marcus is competing on Jane with the U.S. team in the 5-star at Aachen, where the U.S. Olympic traveling alternate, Endel Ots, also is on the squad with Zen Elite Equestrian’s Bohemian. Adrienne skipped Aachen to give Helix a break and do a bit of fine-tuning. (Read about it in the second feature on this website)
The 4-star was won by world champion Lottie Fry of Great Britain on Glamourdale, who blew everyone away with a perfectly measured test and great extensions, a package marked at 80.78 percent. That was her second-highest score since she earned 80.97 percent in the 2023 European Championshps. Lottie was far ahead of German favorite Isabell Werth on DSP Quantaz (75.443), who lost impulsion in the second pirouette.
Lottie Fry and the glamorous Glamourdale. (Photo courtesy British Dressage)
Another German, Frederic Wandres on Duke of Britain, had some brilliant moments, but his score wasn’t what it could have been due to mistakes in his tempi changes, so he settled for third on 73.913 percent.
There was better news for the U.S. in the jumper arena, where McLain Ward finished second of 44 starters in the Turkish Airlines Prize of Europe grand prix with Callas.
One of seven clears in a 12-horse jump-off, Callas was clocked at 44.06 seconds, a tenth of a second ahead of Germany’s Janna Wargers on Dorette and 1.62 seconds behind the winner, Richard Vogel of Germany on Cepano Baloubet. It was the second victory of the day for Richard, who took top honors earlier in the Prize of Handwerk with Phenyo van het Keysersbos.
“My mare jumped spectacular. She’s been having a great summer, so I’m not disappointed,” McLain said about his placing in what riders consider the second-hardest class at the show.
About Richard, McLain said, “He’s a great winner. It’s a fast horse and a super-fast rider. I pushed him to the limit. I made it not so easy.”
McLain Ward and Callas. (Photo U.S. Equestrian)
Although he has been competing at Aachen for three decades, McLain still finds it a thrill to be in the awards ceremony.
“It never gets old,” he said.
Katie Dinan, part of the U.S. Nations Cup team that will be in Thursday’s two-round class, was thirteenth with a single time fault on Atika des Hauts Vents. The other U.S. rider in the fray, Lauraa Kraut, wound up thirtieth with 8 faults on Bisquetta.
Click here for dressage results
Click here for Turkish Airlines Prize of Europe show jumping results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 2, 2024
Slices of American life, from surfing to Barbie, cowboys, cheerleaders and even the Statue of Liberty (not the real one, of course) were on display during the energetic opening ceremonies of the Aachen World Equestrian Festival Tuesday.
A view of the arena during the opening ceremonies.
The USA is Aachen’s “partner country,” for 2024. The role was filled last year by Great Britain, which brought over its Household Cavalry for the occasion. That prompted the query. “How can you top it?”
Here’s how: with 800 performers and 200 horses; a chorus line in pink tutus and riders in pink shirts holding pink balloons (Barbie), inflatable shark pool floats (accompanying surfers who dangled their feet in the Aachen lake), a stagecoach carrying Mrs. Universe and a football team. Did I mention the bubbles let loose to dance around in front of the packed grandstands, where spectators waved little American flags?
“A Perfect Match,” was the slogan of the partnership, appropriately inaugurated in speeches by German dressage star Isabell Werth and U.S. show jumping star Laura Kraut before the festivities really got under way.
A sign from the opening ceremonies; NRW is North Rhine-Westphalia, where Aachen is located.
Bald eagles, the symbol of America, were among the cast of characters that appeared in the ring. The list was a long one, including a country singer from Texas, a covered wagon complete with pioneers, a lariat artist who also was proficient with two whips and in-line skaters towed by a horse. They jumped off a ramp as fireworks exploded from their skates in several “wow” moments.
Will Connell, the U.S.-based Partner Nation project consultant, said “the Aachen team did an outstanding job producing a fun, entertaining program that I hope all Americans present and watching enjoyed.”
He added, “It was a privilege to be involved in a very small way. Tonight, the USA arrived in the Soers, Aachen.”
