Aachen, Germany’s Premier World Equestrian Festival Dressage Staged After 14-Month Coronavirus Break

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USA’s Alice Tarjan riding Candescent in the Deutsche Bank Stadium at the Aachen CHIO, the world’s premier horse show and to be the first European competition for Alice. Alice and Candescent won the U.S. Festival of Champions Grand Prix title last month. © 2021 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

AACHEN, Germany, Sept. 14, 2021–Newcomers and Olympic and championship veterans returned to the World Equestrian Festival CHIO Tuesday after a coronavirus imposed break of 14 months for the globe’s premier show of dressage, jumping, eventing and driving. Vaulting wrapped up last weekend.

Dressage horses for the CDIO5* Nations Cup, CDI4*, Small Tour and Young Rider divisions were arriving Tuesday with the first competition scheduled for Thursday.

Although coming less than seven weeks after the Olympics and a week after the European Championships also in Germany, eight countries have entered teams in the Nations Cup–Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United States. In addition to individual competitors from those nations in the CDIO5* and the CDI4*, combinations representing Australia, Austria, Denmark, Dominican Republic and Ireland will compete.

 

A newcomer is Tayla Desmet of Australia on Zaubermaus. Tayla competed at Florida’s Global Dressage Festival in Wellington before basing herself in Germany. The 21-year-old rider who is completing her college degree online, is competing Zaubermaus at Small Tour.. © 2021 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

 

The popular Juan Matute Guimon on Galactico that he is competing at Small Tour at Aachen as well as his Grand Prix mount Quantico. Juan has both Spanish and American citizenships but rides for Spain though the family maintains a home in Wellington, Florida. © 2021 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

 

Hubertus Schmidt of Germany on Beryll. Hubertus is one of the most accomplished riders and trainers in the sport. © 2021 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

 

Canada’s Ryan Torkkeli on Sternenwanderer. The pair will be competing in the sixth CDI since beginning Big Tour in Germany four months ago. © 2021 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

 

Spain’s Jose Daniel Martin Dockx on Malagueno LXXXIII, a successor ride to Grandioso that he competed for Spain at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, 2014 World Equestrian Games and 2013 and 2015 European Championships for owner Kimberly van Kampen of the United States. © 2021 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com