![CHIO Aachen :: Photo © Barbara Schnell](/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/database-story-thumb/2024-07/24_aachen_statue_0_01.jpg?itok=713TGyLj)
--- Text and Photos © Barbara Schnell
At the end of the day, I‘m probably one of the photographers who take home the smallest number of images from Aachen every year. It‘s just the way I work. Sure, I enjoy watching competitions, and I also enjoy taking good competition photos, but what I love is watching people do their daily work with their horses. The mental and physical diversity of the combinations and the different ways they work on their different goals … it‘s fascinating and inspiring.
For some, the experience of riding in Aachen _was_ the goal, and they just gave their best to make it as enjoyable as they could for everyone involved. For some, Aachen was a last training stop before the Paris Olympics in three weeks. For others, Aachen was the last show to secure a ticket to Paris – and again, some took it more in stride than others.
to reward his horse
I do take notice of the uglier aspects of the sport, which were present in Aachen, too, but there‘s too much to learn from the good ones to waste time and concentration (and data storage space) on the ones who are stuck in their ways. At the end of the day, the whole sport is a work in progress, and the journey never stops to be interesting.
Oh, and P.S.: I love the flying manes :-)
Related Links
Photo Report: Behind the Scene Shots from the 2021 CDIO Aachen
Photo Report: Getting Ready for the 2018 CDIO Aachen
Photo Report: Vilhelmson Takes Kur Victory at Slimmed Down 2015 CDI Aachen
Photo Report: Behind the Scene Snap Shots from 2013 CDIO Aachen
Photo Report: Behind the Scene at the 2011 CDIO Aachen
Photo Report: Schnell Photos from 2008 CDIO Aachen
Photo Report: Behind the Scenes with Barbara Schnell at the 2006 CDIO Aachen
Photo Report: Kur Day with Barbara Schnell at the 2006 CDIO Aachen