Saturday, 7/21/2018, Aachen, CHIO Horse Show
Note: picture on top is Sir Mark Todd of New Zealand riding Kiltubrid Rhapsody.
Today I’m doing something I’ve never done before, blogging at the horse show! It’s going to be a really long day. Eventing Cross Country started at 10 am. We’re at our usual seats in the main stadium, watching the Cross Country finish. The last water complex is here, as well as the last triple combination with a big corner, and narrow arrowhead. The other nice thing is that we can see the entire Cross Country on the big Jumbotron. I’d like to go out and see the horses on course, but frankly, we get a better view here. The final water complex is right in front of us.
Pictures below are Kim Severson, US on Cooley Cross Border, and Ingrid Klimpke, Germany, on Hale Bob.
Today, well also see a 4K Euro class, then the Allianz Grand Prix (a Grand Prix for those who haven’t qualified for the Rolex Million), the Youngster Cup Final (horses 7-8 years old), and finally, the Lavazza Cup – the relay with an event rider, a show jumper, and a driver. Which is why I’m writing from the stands, lol.
We did some quick shopping this morning, and I got stirrup leathers, which I’ve needed. I was fortunate to find them at the Prestige tent, which was the brand I wanted, and for less than I would have paid in the States. We got talking to to young woman who was working the text, and she was talking about Vienna. After talking with her, I’m thinking I’ll have to rethink my position on not caring for Vienna, and go back. So many people love the city, and I only spent a short time there at the end of a long trip. I may have a whole different experience. And I found some of my favorite artwork there. And they have white stallions that dance . . .
Saturday, 7/21/2018, 7:15 pm
What an afternoon! The crowds are huge. It’s like trying to push through a wall. The day ticket, through 6pm, covered the Allianz Gran Prix, and the Driving Marathon. I decided to go see some of the Marathon, while Sharon elected to stay in the shade of our seats and watch the presentations. By my recokening, and the map provided, the entrance should be just behind our stands.
Yes, well, the best laid plans. Turned out only one gate was open. And that was the gate on the complete opposite side of the park. By the time I found my way to the Marathon course (and get through the crowds!), I was only able to see a couple of the obstacles. But it was something to see. I saw obstacle 8. I can’t believe that a team of 4 can get around those tight turns. The program had some great descriptions, even though I don’t understand a word of German!
Then it was a sprint back to the grandstands for the Allianz Gran Prix. It was as tough getting back in as it was getting out! I do have to say I’d like to see more of the marathon. That may be something for a future visit. It’s just hard to see everything. We didn’t have any tickets for Dressage, and next time (there will be a next time!), I’d like to see something. Maybe the Quadrille final.
I also could see some of the cross country jumps up close. This was a three star course, and intimidating. But all the riders ( and drivers) make this look so easy. It’s really fun to watch skilled riders on talented horses, one right after another.
The Allianz Gran Prix was enormous, and the course was wicked. Amoung others, the last in and out was one that went down regularly. The fences were orange and white rails – vertical to oxer. The problem was the top rail of the vertical. It was a natural plank, and a lot of the horse misread the question, and pulled the rail.
Even with the difficult course, 9 of the over 40 starters were clear. A couple pulled up in the jump off, electing to save their horses for another day. It been a long week of giant fences. Christian Alhmand of Germany won the class. He’s been having a great week.
We are watching the Youngsters Cup Finals, for 7 & 8 year old horses right now. These are the up and coming stars, and I’m sure we’ll see more of them in the future. Beezie Madden’s 7 year old, Garant, is really an up and coming star. She placed in the class.
Saturday, 7/21/2018, 11:53pm
So we’re back at the hotel. The best class of the evening was the Lavazza Cup. This was riot. This was a relay with an event rider, a show jumper, and a marathon team. The event rider started, rode a course of cross country type fences, then they crossed the finish line and the show jumper started. As the show jumper was going, the event rider dismounted and ran over to a fixed point and waited. Once the show jumper finished, the event rider sprinted to the starting point for the carriage driver, and got on the cart. The driver drove a course of marathon type obstacles, then over the finish line. The best combined time of all three legs of the relay won.
Of course, that was easier said than done. First, the water complex had all of the sprinklers running. Basically turned it into a fountain. The event horses got to school through it, but the marathon horses didn’t! Of course, the crowd was completely into the whole thing, clapping and yelling, and music played for each team.
But of course, not everything went to plan. Everybody was fast, no questions. But one jumper rider made a turn to a fence, and found his driver and team in the way of his line. Several of the carriage horses thought a water complex with fountain was bad news, and there were several run outs. They all made it the second time, but one lead horse was essentially pushed into the water by his partner, another one of a team of 4 jumped into it, and yet another team took out all of the decoration on the side, flowers, numbers and part of the hedge.
It was a really fun class. At the end of the victory lap, one of the drivers drove his team into the water, and another followed. What followed was a bit like the Crazy 8 races at fairs with teams of 8. Weaving in and out within the water complex was two teams, going every which way. Basically, playing for the crowd.
Riders like Ingrid Klimpke, Michael Jung, Harry Charles, and Chester Weber all were participants. The teams were mixed nationalities. I think they all had as much fun as the crowd. Those who will be working late tonight will be the grounds crew, trying to put the footing back together after the carnage!
A quick word about the footing. The ring is grass, and the root base is deep. I looked at the outgate, where the grass has been worn away. The root base is still strong and tight. Anytime a horse kicks up a divot, a grounds keeper is there, stamping it back in. They water and roll it, and it always looks solid and tight. Must be terrific to ride on.
I could go on and on, but tomorrow is our last day, and it’s a big one. The Rolex Million Gran Prix. The fences are to be 1.70 meters. And if the course is anything like we’ve seen, it will be well designed, and wickedly difficult. Only 40 riders will be presenting. I don’t know what the qualification criteria through the week was, but it really should be the best of the best. Can’t wait to see it.
And a final picture of one of the obstacles in the afternoon’s 4 in hand marathon.
Suzanne’s Travels 