Tag Archives: CHIO Aachen

US Dressage Riders Kick Off Competition at CHIO Aachen

Laura Graves and Verdades (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Americans Finish Seventh in Lambertz FEI Nations Cup

Aachen, Germany – Six members of the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team took their first steps in competition on Wednesday and Thursday, performing the FEI Grand Prix Test at the prestigious CHIO Aachen, where they are joined by Kathleen Raine. Laura Graves, Adrienne Lyle, Caroline Roffman, and Tina Konyot represented the U.S. in the Lambertz FEI Nations Cup, held as part of the CDIO5* competition, on Thursday, while Shelly Francis, Lisa Wilcox, and Kathleen Raine went down centerline on Wednesday in the HAVENS Horsefeed-Prize.

CDIO5* – Lambertz FEI Nations Cup

The U.S. secured a seventh-place finish on Thursday afternoon in the Lambertz FEI Nations Cup on an overall total of 213.740. Germany proved to be a popular winner on its home turf, finishing on a total of 243.100, with The Netherlands finishing second on a score of 223.380, and Spain earning third place with a team total of 220.600.

Leading the way for the U.S. on Thursday was Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and her own 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Verdades, with a score of 73.000%. The 2014 Reserve National Champions finished 13th individually.

Finishing in 21st and 22nd, respectively, were Roffman and Lyle. Roffman (Wellington, Fla.) and her own 11-year-old Hannoverian mare, Her Highness O, earned a score of 70.400% from the Ground Jury of Dietrich Plewa, Isabelle Judet, Francis Verbeek-van Rooy, Stephen Clarke, and Susan Hoevenaars. Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) and Peggy Thomas’ 15-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Wizard, scored 70.340% on Thursday.

Konyot (Palm City, Fla.) rode her own 16-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion, Calecto V, to a score of 67.560% to finish in 34th place.

Graves, Roffman, and Lyle head on to Saturday’s Grand Prix Special for the CDIO5*.

Lisa Wilcox and Denzello (Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Lisa Wilcox and Denzello (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

CDI4* – HAVENS Horsefeed-Prize

Three U.S. riders headed down centerline for the Grand Prix Test in the HAVENS Horsefeed-Prize for the Aachen CDI4* on Wednesday. Lisa Wilcox (Loxahatchee, Fla.) led the American effort with Betty Wells’ Denzello by finishing the day in 12th place. She and the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding produced a lovely test to score 69.180%. Shelly Francis and Kathleen Raine had similar performances in front of the judging panel of Francis Verbeek-van Rooy, Susan Hoevenaars, Isabelle Judet, Dietrich Plewa, and Susanne Baarup to tie for 14th place. Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding, had a good test to score 68.240%. With Jennifer Mason, Kathleen Raine, and David Wightman’s 14-year-old Hanoverian mare, Breanna, Raine (Murrieta, Calif.) also earned a score of 68.240%.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl of Germany and Unee BB won the HAVENS Horsefeed-Prize with a score of 73.220%, after coming out on top of a tie with fellow German rider Fabienne Lütkemeier and D’Agostino FRH, who were second. Beata Stremler of Poland and Rubicon D were third with a score of 72.400%.

Wilcox and Raine will move on for the U.S. in the Grand Prix Special on Friday, while Francis heads to the Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday for the CDI4*.

Learn more about CHIO Aachen here.

Follow the U.S. Dressage Team here.

Hermès US Jumping Team Combinations Named for CSIO5* Aachen’s FEI Nations Cup

Lexington, Ky. – The U.S. has drawn seventh in the order for Thursday’s Mercedes-Benz FEI Nations Cup at CSIO5* Aachen, with four members of the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games set to jump for the United States in Nations Cup competition.

The following four combinations will compose the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team for CSIO5* Aachen’s Mercedes-Benz FEI Nations Cup:

Lucy Davis (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Old Oak Farm’s Barron
Barron is a 2004 Belgian Warmblood gelding.

Reed Kessler (Lexington, Ky.) and Kessler Show Stables’ Cylana
Cylana is a 2002 Belgian Warmblood mare.

Lauren Hough (Wellington, Fla.) and The Ohlala Group’s Ohlala
Ohlala is a 2004 Swedish Warmblood mare.

Kent Farrington (Wellington, Fla.) and Amalaya Investment’s Willow
Willow is a 2003 KWPN gelding.

The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland on Thursday.

Farrington is already on a roll in Aachen, having won the Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe with Amalaya Investment’s Voyeur on Wednesday.

To learn more about CHIO Aachen, visit: http://www.chioaachen.de/en/.

Follow the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team here.

Horse & Country TV to Broadcast Rolex Grand Prix Live from Aachen

Horse & Country TV (Sky 280 and on smartphone, tablet and laptop via horseandcountry.tv/everywhere) is proud to announce it will broadcast the Rolex Grand Prix from the CHIO Aachen in Germany on Sunday July 20th. The Rolex Grand Prix is the highlight of nine days of intense competition across multiple disciplines in Aachen, which welcomes more than 350,000 visitors each year. H&C TV’s live coverage of the showjumping will run from 12.50pm to 5.00pm British Summer Time. This is the first time the Rolex Grand Prix from Aachen will be broadcast live in the UK.

The CHIO World Equestrian Festival in Aachen is considered by many to be one of the greatest horse shows in the world. Well-known equestrian presenter, Aly Rowell, will host the show direct from the event. H&C TV will also show comprehensive highlights from the entire CHIO Aachen event, including the Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup, the Grand Prix Dressage of Aachen and the Eventing competition, which will feature Zara Phillips and Pippa Funnell.

Jonathan Rippon, Head of Programming at Horse & Country TV, said, “The Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen is undoubtedly the highlight of the summer showjumping season and H&C TV will show every minute of the competition live.”

“We had a wonderful reception from our viewers to our first ever live broadcast of the Global Champions Tour from Paris. We are committed to maintaining this level of excellence for our viewers and look forward to a very exciting set of live broadcasts for 2014.”

For more information, please contact Georgie Wells at Revolution Sports + Entertainment: georgina@revolutionsports.co.uk or 0207 592 1207.

Horse & Country TV broadcasts in the UK and Ireland, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and can be found on the web at www.horseandcountry.tv, www.horseandcountrytv.nl, and www.horseandcountrytv.se. In the UK and Ireland H&C TV is also available “over the top” both online and via apps for smartphones and tablets through the H&C TV Everywhere service, horseandcountry.tv/everywhere. The Channel carries exclusive sports event coverage, news, documentary and personality-led programming to the passionate audience for horse sports and country living. At the UK’s Broadcast Digital Awards H&C won “Best Specialist Channel” in 2011 and was shortlisted in three categories in 2014, Best Specialist Channel, Best Factual Channel and Best Website/App. Fellow contenders for Best Factual were BBC3, BBC4, Discovery and History. Online, H&C publishes blogs and commentary provided by a range of experts and personalities, an extensive range of equestrian video, a calendar of events, as well as programme support material for all of the Channel’s featured shows.

H&C’s role as a community hub for the horse and countryside loving community is reflected in the Channel’s 500,000+ viewers each month, 126,000+ Facebook fans and 35,000+ followers on Twitter.

US Vaulters Earn Top Placings in CVIO3* Aachen

The Woodside Vaulters (Dirk Caremans/Hippo Foto/Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Aachen, Germany – The U.S. vaulters had a wonderful showing in the CVIO3*, part of the CHIO Aachen that took place July 11-13. Performing well in the Albert-Vahle-Arena in Aachen, Germany, the U.S. contingent had excellent rounds in the Squad and Pas de Deux competitions as well as respectable showings in the Individual divisions. In the CVIO competition, the U.S. came home with third-place honors.

The Woodside Vaulters demonstrated that they meant business in Aachen, earning great marks in the Squad competition. The squad, consisting of Tessa Divita (Emerald Hills, Calif.), Audrey Kiernan (San Mateo, Calif.), Siddartha Kreaden (Sunnyvale, Calif.), Kristen Kuhn (San Mateo, Calif.), Rachel Polati (Emerald Hills, Calif.), and Miki Yang (Los Altos Hills, Calif.), vaulted on Stanford, a 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Julie Divita and Woodside Vaulters, and were lunged by Julie Divita. In Friday’s Compulsory Test, the girls put forth a solid effort to come in fourth with a score of 6.310. The following day for their Freestyle Test, the Woodside Vaulters impressed with their routine set to music from The Wizard of Oz to finish third on a score of 8.298. The U.S. squad ended up fourth place overall with an average score of 7.254.

In the Pas de Deux division, Kristian Roberts (Moss Beach, Calif.) and Mary Garrett (Mountain View, Calif.) turned heads in their first competition partnering as a pair. They vaulted on Diva 506, an 11-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by RVC Gilching e.V., and were lunged by Carolyn Bland. In Saturday’s Freestyle Round 1, Roberts and Garrett seemed as if they had been competing together for much longer, finishing in fifth place on a score of 7.625. The pair improved their score for Sunday’s Freestyle Round 2, earning 8.308 to come in fifth once more. Roberts and Garrett were fourth overall with a score of 7.966.

Cassidy and Kimberly Palmer (Half Moon Bay, Calif.) also made a solid effort in the Pas de Deux division at the World Equestrian Festival. They partnered with Leon 364, a 16-year-old Wurttemberger gelding owned and lunged by Wolfgang Renz. The Palmer sisters kicked things off by earning a 7.210, putting them in ninth place in Saturday’s Freestyle Round 1. In the second Freestyle Round held on Sunday, the pair was ninth again with a score of 7.127. The Palmers ended up ninth overall with a score of 7.168.

Mary McCormick (Woodside, Calif.) led the U.S. vaulters in the Individual Female division. Vaulting on longtime partner Palatine, a 16-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Sydney Frankel and lunged by Bland, McCormick was 12th in Friday’s Compulsory Test with a score of 7.257. She returned to the ring later that day to score 7.523 in the Technical Test to come in ninth. In Saturday’s Freestyle Test, McCormick improved to sixth with a score of 7.998. At the end of the competition, she was seventh overall with a score of 7.593.

Elizabeth Ioannou (Saratoga, Calif.) finished just behind McCormick in eighth place overall with a final score of 7.529. She vaulted on Jarl, a 16-year-old gelding owned by Lasse Kristensen and Emma Seely, and was lunged by Kristensen. Ioannou began the competition by tying for 13th place in Friday’s Compulsory Test with a score of 7.222. She then earned a score of 7.671 to end up sixth at Technical Test. In Saturday’s Freestyle Test, Ioannou came in 12th on 7.693.

Mary Garrett and Kristian Roberts (Daniel Kaiser photo for Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Mary Garrett and Kristian Roberts (Daniel Kaiser photo for Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Garrett also competed in the Individual Female division, vaulting on Palatine and was lunged by Bland. On Friday she scored 6.566 to come in 23rd in the Compulsory Test and 6.917 to place 15th in the Technical Test. In Saturday’s Freestyle Test, Garrett improved her score to 7.148 to finish 19th. Overall, she ended up 19th with a score of 6.877

Like his Pas de Deux partner Garrett, Roberts also competed as an individual in the Individual Male division. He vaulted on Diva 506 and was lunged by Bland. He started off the competition Friday, earning 6.815 in the Compulsory Test to come in 13th and 6.323 in the Technical Test to place 14th. In Saturday’s Freestyle Test, Roberts scored 6.095 for finish in 18th place. He ended up 17th overall with a score of 6.411.

Colton Palmer (Half Moon Bay, Calif.) rounded out the U.S. effort in Aachen. Competing at the prestigious event for the first time, he vaulted on Glaxtown Billy, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Mr. & Mrs. John Eccles and lunged by John Eccles. On Friday, he scored 5.885 in the Compulsory Test for 20th place and 5.310 in the Technical Test to come in 18th place. In Saturday’s Freestyle Test, he improved to a score of 5.965 for 19th place. Palmer finished 19th overall on a score of 5.720.

For the CVIO3* Freestyle National Teams competition, the scores of one Squad, one Female, and one Male Freestyle Test were combined to determine the winners. For the U.S., the Woodside Vaulters’ score of 8.054, McCormick’s score of 8.243, and Roberts’ score of 7.415 gave the U.S. a total of 23.712 to achieve third-place honors on Sunday. Germany I won with a score of 25.586, while Germany II came in second with a score of 24.480.

To find out more about the competition, visit http://www.chioaachen.de/en/.

Follow the U.S. Vaulting Team here.

Roffman Replaces Peters on U.S. CDIO5* Team from CHIO Aachen

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has updated the entry for the CDIO5* Aachen. Due to being hospitalized with pneumonia, Steffen Peters has withdrawn Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92 from the U.S. team for Nations Cup competition at CDIO5* Aachen and Four Winds Farm’s Rosamunde from Aachen’s CDI4* Small Tour. Peters and Legolas 92 have been replaced on the CDIO5* team by Caroline Roffman and her own Her Highness O, who originally were slated to compete in CDI4* competition.

Peters (San Diego, Calif.) and Legolas 92, a 12-year-old Westphalian gelding, completed their one compulsory Mandatory Outing for the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team at CDI4* Fritzens two weeks ago.

CDIO5*

The following riders will compose the U.S. team for Nations Cup competition at CDIO5* Aachen (listed in alphabetical order):

Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and her own Verdades
Verdades is a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding.

Tina Konyot (Palm City, Fla.) and her own Calecto V
Calecto V is a 1998 Danish Warmblood stallion.

Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) and Peggy Thomas’ Wizard
Wizard is a 1999 Oldenburg gelding.

Caroline Roffman (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Her Highness O
Her Highness O is a 2003 Hanoverian mare.

CDI4*

The following riders will compete in Big Tour competition at CDI4* Aachen (listed in alphabetical order):

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor
Doktor is a 2003 Oldenburg gelding.

Lisa Wilcox (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Betty Wells’ Denzello
Denzello is a 2003 Hanoverian gelding.

As the ninth place finisher at the 2014 The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship and Selection Trial for the U.S. Dressage Team Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Kathleen Raine has been invited to compete in Aachen’s CDI4* competition.

Kathleen Raine (Murrieta, CA) and Jennifer Mason, Kathleen Raine, and David Wightman’s Breanna
Breanna is a 2000 Hanoverian mare

Learn more about CHIO Aachen here.

Follow the U.S. Dressage Team here.

Ebeling Withdraws Rafalca from CDI4* Aachen and Contention for WEG US Dressage Team

Jan Ebeling and Rafalca (provided by Ebeling)

Lexington, Ky. – Jan Ebeling has withdrawn Beth Meyer, Ann Romney, and Amy Ebeling’s Rafalca from the CDI4* Aachen and contention for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team. Ebeling (Moorpark, Calif.) decided that the welfare of the 17-year-old Oldenburg mare was paramount and that it would be in the best interest of World Cup and 2012 Olympic Games veteran to retire from competition.

“With mixed emotions, we regretfully announce that Rafalca will relinquish her bid for the WEG team in Normandy. We will be cheering on Team USA from the sidelines, with so many new horses and riders on the forefront,” said Ebeling. “Foremost, Rafalca’s health and welfare are my highest priority, Rafalca and I have had an exceptional run through the years with the support of so many. Her legacy will live on through her offspring and she has left her mark by expanding the sport of dressage to a broader audience that will be felt for years to come.”

The U.S. Dressage Team and Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover fully supports Ebeling in his decision to put Rafalca’s well-being above all else.

“Jan has shown great strength and grace in determining that Rafalca, having brought him to both the Olympic Games and multiple World Cups, deserves to go into retirement with no regrets and in good health,” said Dover. “I applaud Jan and his supporters and know we will see him back on fantastic horses in the big arena again very soon.”

Members of the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team head to Aachen, Germany to compete in CDIO5* and CDI4* competition, July 16-20.

Learn more about CHIO Aachen here.

Follow the U.S. Dressage Team here.

Choice of Champions Salutes Undefeated Team Weber Aiming for Aachen

Chester Weber and his team at the CAIO Saumur (Photo courtesy of Marie de Ronde-Oudemans).

Wellington, FL (July 10, 2014) – Choice of Champions is continuing its legacy of keeping horses at the top of their game. Chester Weber, a longtime user of the Choice of Champions products, is currently driving with the best in the world in Europe with his sights set on the CHIO Aachen and the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

“The horses remain in top form and continue to prove that we are contenders. I am incredibly pleased with my team’s overall synergy. They are like a well-oiled machine and we will continue to perfect our technique at Aachen,” Chester Weber told the European press in June after his second consecutive victory at CAIO4* Saumur (France), also anchoring the Bronze medal for Nations Cup US squadmates Allison Stroud and Misdee Wrigley-Miller.

Team Weber, powered by KWPN geldings co-owned by Weber and Jane Forbes Clark, has proven unbeatable in Europe as the road to Aachen and qualifying for Normandy’s World Equestrian Games shortens, including victor’s honors from HRH Queen Elizabeth at the prestigious Royal Windsor Horse Show. Earlier in the spring, while still competing on US soil, the horseman dubbed ‘Mr. Dressage’ drove to a record 11th US National Four-in-Hand Championship at the Live Oak International CAI and rewrote combined driving history at the Kingdom of the Sun CDE with a never-before-achieved dressage phase score of just 30.89.

“We are proud to be part of Team Weber and to salute Chester for the absolute care and devotion he gives his animals,” said Allyn Maix, president of Choice of Champions, International, whose horse care and supplement products have been keeping America’s most beloved team of driving horses in top form. “Joining him on this journey has been almost as thrilling as riding in the carriage with him!”

Choice of Champions products have a longstanding reputation for quality and effectiveness. But can they predict the future? All Maix will add, with a knowing wink, is that Team Weber has been choosing Choice of Champions through several winning European tours including – in 2013 – a victory in the CAI-A4* Caen test event for the World Equestrian Games.

“He continues to redefine the world’s perception of American combined driving. As Chester and the team head to Germany for CHIO Aachen and CAI Riesenbeck before setting their sights on Normandy, we’ll be there too, stride for stride. Good luck, Team Weber!”

In 2006, Choice of Champions, International was started by Allyn Maix, whose own 30 years’ experience with horses inspired her to launch a line of specialized equine supplements designed to make a real difference in the performance and wellbeing of equine athletes. Learn what a difference Choice of Champions can make for your horses at www.choiceofchamps.com or call their Wellington, Florida office toll-free at (800) 868-1077.

Allyn Maix, president
Choice of Champions, Int’l
(800) 868-1077
www.choiceofchamps.com

US Vaulters Ready for Grand Stage at CHIO Aachen

Aachen, Germany – A strong group of U.S. vaulters have traveled to Germany to represent their country at the prestigious CHIO Aachen. With the World Equestrian Festival running from July 11-20, the CVIO3* takes place July 11-13 in the Albert-Vahle-Arena in Aachen, Germany. Kristian Roberts and Colton Palmer will compete in the Individual Male competition, with Mary McCormick, Mary Garrett, and Elizabeth Ioannou representing the U.S. in the Individual Female division. Sisters Cassidy and Kimberly Palmer will vie for Pas de Deux honors, along with Garrett and Roberts, who will join as a pair for the division. Rounding out the U.S. effort are the Woodside Vaulters in the squad competition.

In the Individual Male division, Roberts (Moss Beach, Calif.) comes to Aachen in top form after winning the Men’s Gold division at the Woodside Spring Fest. He will partner with Bram, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding owned by RVC Gilching e.V. and Philipp Langmann, and lunged by Carolyn Bland. Colton Palmer was close behind Roberts at the Woodside Spring Fest, earning third-place honors. The Half Moon Bay, Calif., native will vault on Leon 364, a 16-year-old Wurttemberger gelding owned and lunged by Wolfgang Renz, in his first appearance at the prestigious event.

McCormick (Woodside, Calif.) leads the U.S. contingent in the Individual Female division, having won every competition she has entered this year, and most recently claiming top honors in the Women’s Gold division at the Woodside Spring Fest. She will vault on longtime partner Palatine, a 16-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Sydney Frankel, and will be lunged by Bland. Garrett (Mountain View, Calif.) is peaking at just the right time, coming to Aachen having finished second behind McCormick at the Woodside Spring Fest. She will also partner with Palatine and be lunged by Bland. Ioannou (Saratoga, Calif.) earned a second-place finish in Individual Female division of the Pacific Cup CVI3* earlier this year. She hopes to have another strong performance in Aachen, partnering with Jarl, a 16-year-old gelding owned by Lasse Kristensen and Emma Seely, and lunged by Kristensen.

In the Pas de Deux division, the Palmer sisters hope to find success at the CVIO3* after finishing fourth last year. The pair has been on a roll this year, finishing fourth in the 2014 FEI World Cup Vaulting Final in the Pas de Deux Championship in February, and just recently winning the Pas de Deux division at Woodside Spring Fest. They will partner with Leon 364 and Renz as their horse and lunger, respectively. Garrett and Roberts will also compete in the Pas de Deux division, partnering for the first time as a pair this year. They will vault on Diva 506, an 11-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by RVC Gilching e.V., and will be lunged by Bland.

The Woodside Vaulters are the sole representative in the Squad competition. The squad, consisting of Tessa Divita (Emerald Hills, Calif.), Audrey Kiernan (San Mateo, Calif.), Siddartha Kreaden (Sunnyvale, Calif.), Kristen Kuhn (San Mateo, Calif.), Rachel Polati (Emerald Hills, Calif.), and Miki Yang (Los Altos Hills, Calif.), received top honors in the A Team division at the Woodside Spring Fest, and is prepared for a solid performance in Aachen. They will vault on Stanford, a 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Julie Divita and Woodside Vaulters, and will be lunged by Julie Divita.

CVIO3* competition begins Friday at 8:30am local time with the Compulsory Test for the Individual Female division.

To find out more about the competition, visit http://www.chioaachen.de/en/.

Follow the U.S. Vaulting Team here.

USEF Names CDIO5* Team and CDI4* Combinations for CHIO Aachen

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will be represented in both Large and Small Tour dressage competition at the CHIO Aachen, July 11-20, in Aachen, Germany. Four members of the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team will compose the U.S. team in the CDIO5*, with a further four contesting CDI4* competition. Big Tour competition at CHIO Aachen will serve as the second Mandatory Outing for the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team. Additionally, the U.S. will have a single CDI4* entry for the Small Tour.

CDIO5*

The following riders will compose the U.S. team for Nations Cup competition at CDIO5* Aachen (listed in alphabetical order):

Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and her own Verdades
Verdades is a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding.

Tina Konyot (Palm City, Fla.) and her own Calecto V
Calecto V is a 1998 Danish Warmblood stallion.

Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) and Peggy Thomas’ Wizard
Wizard is a 1999 Oldenburg gelding.

Steffen Peters (San Diego, Calif.) and Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92
Legolas 92 is a 2002 Westphalian gelding.

CDI4*

The following riders will compete in Big Tour competition at CDI4* Aachen (listed in alphabetical order):

Jan Ebeling (Moorpark, Calif.) and Beth Meyer, Ann Romney, and Amy Ebeling’s Rafalca
Rafalca is a 1997 Oldenburg mare.

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor
Doktor is a 2003 Oldenburg gelding.

Caroline Roffman (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Her Highness O
Her Highness O is a 2003 Hanoverian mare.

Lisa Wilcox (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Betty Wells’ Denzello
Denzello is a 2003 Hanoverian gelding.

The following rider will compete in Small Tour competition at CDI4* Aachen:

Steffen Peters (San Diego, Calif.) and Four Winds Farm’s Rosamunde
Rosamunde is a 2007 Rheinlander mare.

Learn more about CHIO Aachen here.

Follow the U.S. Dressage Team here.

Laura Kraut and Cedric Claim Second Place in the RWE Preis von Nordrhein-Westfalen at CHIO Aachen

Laura Kraut and Cedric continued their success at CHIO Aachen 2013 earning the second place in the RWE Preis von Nordrhein-Westfalen. Photo Courtesy of Client.

Aachen, Germany – July 2, 2013 – The prestigious CHIO Aachen 2013 welcomed exhibitors to Germany from June 21-30 to compete in a battle of the world’s best. As one of the most popular horse shows in the world, riders are confronted with the finest of the international horse sport, competing in the highest classes with their best mounts. Cherry Knoll Farm’s Cedric, with Laura Kraut in the irons, mastered the difficult courses throughout the week, continuing their consistency throughout their European tour, placing second in the RWE Preis von Nordrhein-Westfalen.

On Friday, June 28, Kraut guided Cedric to the second place position in the RWE Preis von Nordrhein-Westfalen with two double-clear efforts. The 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding laid down an accurate first round course, making good pace and clearing the obstacles with ease, as the pair earned their way into the jump off. Kraut was the 44th entrant, but her position in the list of starters had no bearing on their confidence as they approached the course.

Eighteen out of the 48 competitors cleared the first round; however, Kraut and Cedric were one of only seven to post a double-clear effort. Even more impressively, the pair completed the short track in 39.77 seconds, using their quick pace and agility to nab the second spot just behind Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum and Chaman, owned by Madeleine Winter-Schulze.

Kraut was thrilled with the second place finish, especially after taking the third place in last year’s event. Had Kraut not had to take a few wide turns during the jump off, she would have been able to catch Beerbaum’s time; however, during the press conference Kraut explained, “Cedric jumps a little to the right, so I had to take a couple of turns rather wide.”

Kraut continues to lead the Global Champions Tour rankings after the completion of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco, presented by HSBC Private Bank. Although Richard Spooner and Cristallo rode to the night’s victory, shaking up the rankings, Kraut continues to lead with 132 points with the world’s number one rider, Christian Ahlmann, sitting in the second place position with 124 points. Edwina Tops-Alexander rode to the third place during the Riviera Grand Prix, now claiming the third position in the rankings, only one point behind Ahlmann. The leader board has narrowed with the world’s leading riders closer than ever on points, adding heat to the already intense competition in Estoril this approaching weekend in Portugal.

Kraut and Cherry Knoll Farm’s Cedric will continue on to Chantilly, France, for Jumping Chantilly 2013 where they will compete among the top-ranked international riders in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix on Saturday, July 20. If their consistency from Rotterdam and Aachen are any sign, there is no doubt that they will wear a target on their back as Chantilly gets underway Thursday, July 18. For more information on the Longines Global Champions Tour where Kraut currently ranks first, please visit http://www.globalchampionstour.com/events/.

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