HH Azur at the World Cup Final. Will we see her again at Aachen? PC: Screenshot via FEI TV
We are over the moon that CHIO Aachen season is just days away, and today, we finally get to see which horses and riders are on the entry lists for the Nations Cup and Grand Prix events, which will get underway next Tuesday.
We already know which United States riders made the team, but now we’re getting some hints as to which horses they’ll be riding during the event.
One exciting development: McLain Ward’s list of mounts for Aachen include HH Carlos, longtime veteran partner Rothchild, and excitingly, his World Cup Final winner HH Azur. “Annie” got a well-deserved season off and just got back into the swing of things at the five-star level with a few soft classes at Spruce Meadows at the end of June, where she finished admirably in the top ten twice.
Laura Kraut has brought three very familiar horses with her this weekend: Confu, Deauville S, and Rio reserve horse Zeremonie. She’ll also be showing a young horse in the age classes: SFS Vincomte, a seven-year-old bay Anglo European gelding who Laura took into her string in May.
Kent Farrington too has a familiar string for this weekend: Gazelle, Uceko, and his top five finsher at Rio, Voyeur. Both Gazelle and Uceko are coming off big wins in Spruce Meadows this past week, so assuming they traveled well to Germany, they’ll be in fighting form.
Beezie Madden has her main squeeze Breitling LS along for the ride in Aachen, as well as Coach, a nine-year-old bay Holsteiner with whom Beezie won the CSI 5* Grand Prix at Rotterdam with last june, and Darry Lou, a nine-year-old chestnut gelding who Beezie just matched up with in June and who was previously the ride of Mexico’s Alberto Aldana. The two popped around Spruce Meadows with some good results, and we’re hoping to see these two in action at Aachen! She’ll also be showing HHS Hercules in the young horse classes.
Last but far from least, Lauren Hough has familar faces Waterford, Ohlala, and the unmistakable Cornet 39 joining her at CHIO Aachen, all veteran horses capable of a top 10 finish any day of the week. She too will bring along a young horse: Dasino, an eight-year-old bay Belgian Sport Horse gelding who has more recently been in Paris Sellon’s string.
The finalized list of which horses will be on the Nations Cup team is still a few days away, so keep it locked in JN for updates.
See full competitor’s list here.
CHIO Aachen / The World Equestrian Festival runs July 14-23. Jumping runs from the 18-23, with the Nations Cup happening on Thursday July 20 at 7:30 pm Aachen time (1:30 pm ET) and the Rolex Grand Prix happening on the final day of the show, July 23 at 1:15 pm local time (7:15 am ET).
Go Jumping!
Aachen 2017: Website, Jumping Schedule