Aussies on Fire at Aachen

Photo credits: Jon Stroud

By: Jo McKinnon/Equestrian Australia

Australia is celebrating an outstanding effort at CHIO Aachen (GER) at the weekend with the Eventing team finishing second in the FEI Nations Cup to the formidable German contingent led by dual Olympic gold medallist Ingrid Klimke. 

The AUS team of Shane Rose (CP Qualified), Chris Burton (Nobilis 18), Katja Weimann (BP Cosmopolitan) and Emma McNabb (Fernhill Tabasco) finished on 152.60 penalties with the Germans snaring victory with a final score of 107.00.

“It was a great effort by the team especially given that Katja and Emma were part of their first team at Aachen,” said Shane Rose.

The Swedish team finished in third position in the FEI Nations Cup and the New Zealand team headed by Sir Mark Todd was fourth placed.

Rose and his grey Hanoverian gelding CP Qualified were competing at only their second major event together since Blenheim last September and finished third (37.50 penalties) to champion rider Ingrid Klimke (34.40) in the individual standings. CP Qualified has had a long break and looks to have returned in great order since his Rio Olympics mission last year.

“I was really happy with my horse,” Rose said.     

Rose now plans to continue campaigning CP Qualified in the Event Rider Masters Series. The next leg of the ERM will take place at Gatcombe Park on August 5-6 and Blair Castle will play host to the series later this month on August 26-27. Rose is currently 12^th placed in the ERM Series on 28 points behind UK rider Gemma Tattersall (74 points).

Rio bronze medallist Chris Burton finished 6^th individually at Aachen and Isabel English and Feldale Mouse were 14^th.

Equestrian Australia Hall of Fame member and global Equestrian legend Boyd Exell dominated the Four-in Hand Driving events at Aachen again this year. He won three classes – the Prize of Family Richard Talbot (Dressage, Marathon, Cones), the Prize of Fa. Horsch Der Entsorger (four-in-hand dressage) and the Prize of Martello (four-in-hand dressage).

“The horses performed really well especially on cross-country. Even though it was tough they all stayed really calm,” said Boyd Exell.

Exell applauded his team including the navigator and groom who have been with him for many years.

“It is a real team effort. They share in the responsibility and the win.” 

“I’ve had the same team for a long time and that’s what makes us. It’s the team of people and horses,” he said.

Quick Links

• For all team and individual results from 2017 CHIO Aachen go to: https://www.chioaachen.de/en/program/results-archive/

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