While the 5* CDIO tour headlines dressage in the Deutsche Bank stadium at the annual CHIO Aachen, the 4* tour is no less interesting with German team riders battling it out for team selection while others get an opportunity to compete on the hallowed grounds of Aachen in a highly competitive starters field.
Experience
German Frederic Wandres swept the 4* tour aboard his 2022 World Championship team bronze medal winning ride Duke of Britain (by Dimaggio x Rubinstein). He won the Grand Prix with 76.935% and the Special with 75.894%, twice edging out Charlotte Fry on the Belgian warmblood Lars van de Hoenderheide (by Negro x Layout).
"The field of competitors in the 5-star Tour is star-studded, but the 4-star Tour also boasts an incredibly strong line-up," Wandres commented after his double win. "When I saw the start list for the Grand Prix, I thought ‘Gosh, we will have to really put our best foot forward.’ Of course, Duke is a very experienced horse. He has already beaten the strongest line-ups in the past and he did the same today, there were one or two small mistakes, but one can always find something. Overall though, he demonstrated his strengths in full and we are very, very happy with him.”
Work Hard and One Day You'll Ride in Aachen
After placing 7th in the Grand Prix (72.869%), they were third in the Special with 73.957%. Not too bad for an Aachen first-timer.
"I was actually totally cool and calm beforehand and completely faded everything out that was going on around me. But when I am finished and everything has gone well, as calm as I may have been before, I can get just as excited. And then in such an atmosphere – one really can get emotional,” Hemmer beamed.
For Katharina it was a dream come true to ride in Aachen. “I have been here once before during the Olympic quarantine before Tokyo. I had to ride a horse of one of Hubertus’ students," she said. "I set off after finishing work and when I arrived, the sun was slowly going down behind the stadium. I got goosebumps when I rode into the arena and I thought: ‘My God, Katharina, work hard and make sure it isn’t the last time you ride here!’ And the fact that I am back again two years later is awesome, of course!”
Emilio Dances in the Rain
Riding to a medley of Italian opera classics, Werth has Emilio and the crowds with her. The spectators stayed untill the bitter end despite the rain, waiting for this moment and soon-to-be retiree Emilio didn’t disappoint his audience, winning a C DI Grand Prix level class for the 55th time in his career.
“I am super happy!! That Emilio has put in such a final performance here – is fantastic!! That really was super," Werth beamed. “You can simply rely on him! The youngsters really should follow his example.”
Text and Photos © Astrid Appels
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