The CHIO Aachen 2000 became a dream show for Isabell Werth. In 1999 Gigolo FRH injured himself in Aachen and the end of the Werth/Gigolo was announced by many critics.
Werth's revenge was more than sweet when she won this year's overall championship and dominated two out of three classes.
The well entered Grand Prix class was sponsored by the American Tess Gilder of Coastriders, an American Corporation which tries to be dedicative to the international dressage sport.
In the Grand Prix, Gigolo's extended trot did not come to full expression, but the half passes were marvellous as well as the perfectly balanced piaffe and passage. In the tempi's every two strides, one change to the right didn't come through that well but the general impression was that 17-year old Gigolo is back in business, and ready to do the "battle of the Seniors" against Bonfire at the Olympics in Sydney.
Chacomo, the Macho Man
Very impressing was Alexandra Simons-De Ridder's performance on her Holsteiner Chacomo. After being ill for a long time, Simons-De Ridder came back slowely but she did it with great brilliance. Her Calypso I decendant was probably the most consistent horse in Aachen.
Chacomo is a real macho. The power he exhales is phenomenol. In the extended trot the bay stretches out so far with his hind and front legs while he maintains a great rhythm and balance. The only problem to be detected was that in the pirouettes Chacomo came deep and tight and the neck. Furthermore, the transition to piaffe could have been more confirmed.
Hyper Sensible Rusty
Third place in the Grand Prix went to Ulla Salzgeber with her hyper sensible Rusty. Her Latvian gelding by Rebuss got injured at his front leg while being transported to the Aachen show grounds. Salzgeber had to take it easy the first few days of the week so that she could not prepare her horse into an optimal condition.
Rusty was very frisky and spooked regularly in the corners. As tension built up, the horse often came too tight in the neck. Nevertheless, did Rusty once again excel in his flying changes and extensions.