Fourth of July at Aachen Has German/American Theme
Written by Mary Phelps Hathaway
Saturday, 04 July 2009 16:28
American born show jumping rider now married to German show jumping rider Markus Beerbaum won the “Best of the Best” Competition at Aachen in today’s showjumping highlight in the great arena, beating three men in a rotation of horses competition.
German born Dressage Champion Steffen Peters rode to victory today, July 4 at the Meggle Grand Prix Special CDIO at Aachen CHIO, Germany, taking his second victory gallop after winning the Aachen Grand Prix on Thursday.
Slide Show - Steffen Peters and Ravel Win The Meggle Grand Prix Special CDIO At Aachen
Written by Mary Phelps Hathaway
Saturday, 04 July 2009 12:48
He did it again. Steffen Peters and Ravel topped the leader boards by fractions with a 76.917, with Anky Van Grunsven and Salinero hot on their tail scoring a 76.587. “I wasn’t happy finishing in fifth place in the Grand Prix, so came out today with a knife between my teeth.” Ravel looking relaxed and happy put in another super ride, with just a few slight bobbles. "I was surprised at how fresh he felt." said Peters. There was one extension where he was a little over reactive. I pushed him gently but he gave me a very big reaction. After that he really settled down into the test. "
Check out our updated slideshow of Steffen Peters photos
At least for today the buzz about Isabelle was good news. We have been told from a very reliable source which has also been confirmed by several sources close to Isabell that she is in fact pregnant. Although there has not been an official announcement, all indications are that it is true. It has been said she is due in November, but had been trying to keep it quiet until after the European Championships. Her trainer Wolfgang Wittig told eurodressage the news while we were awaiting the press conference.
We are up early and off to the stadium. From Astrid's home in Belgium we drive through three countries in 30 minutes! Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany. Today is the Grand Prix Special, and oh yes, it's the Fourth of July! Check out Astrid's report and photos on the CDI Grand Prix (small tour). More storeis and photos to come. Too many fabulous horses, too little time! Go Steffen and Catherine!
Tickets on Sale NOW for “Taste of Traverse City” Party/Silent Auction to Benefit Equestrian Aid Foundation–Available Online or Horse Show Office
Premier Silent Auction Items from FarmVet, Equi-Fit, Five Star, Essex, Hadfield, Badgley Mischka, ThinLine, Antares and more!
Traverse City, Mich. – July 3, 2009 – Tickets for "Taste of Traverse City," Sunday, July 12, 2009, are available online for $125 at www.equestrianaidfoundation.org or at the show office during Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival. This year’s party is hosted by Horse Sports by the Bay, Inc. and will benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF), a non-profit organization providing financial assistance for basic medical and living expenses for those suffering catastrophic illness or injury.
USDF Region One, which covers Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania has announced their Junior Team and one Young Rider:
It was not until the final set of the Grand Prix CDIO that the crowd of 60,000 spectators, all there to watch the best Dressage in the world began to get excited as the young Russian rider, Alexandra Korelova and her rescued Russian Police horse Balagur earned two 10’s for the piaffe. The only 10s the judges awarded so far. With the new FEI rule which does not allow the scores to go on the jumbo tron during the test, only the crowd can follow the scoring f the movements with small screens along the rail hidden from view of the riders. But it did not take the results to flash on the screen for the knowledgeable crowd to know a good thing when they saw it.
British Dressage rider Carl Hester made a point to come up and congratulate us on our American win at Aachen. After a spectacular performance by Steffen Peters and Ravel who along with German based American rider Catherine Haddad rode as individuals in the Nation’s Cup competition in the Grand Prix CDIO. “We only brought one rider from the USA this year.” I said. “Well it looks as if you brought the right one!” For Peters, he had the chance to go home to Mother and get some home cooked meals and have his laundry done, while reuniting with his long time trainer nearby. And it was a beaming Mom, Doris Peters who led her son through the stands to visit with old family friends after his winning ride in the CDIO Aachen Grand Prix.
In spite of the sunshine which brightened the Aachen show grounds the alleged doping issues which kept Isabell Werth from her homeland competition clouded the arena. And it was an unlikely spokesperson who took the opportunity at the press conference after the Grand Prix CDIO who spoke his mind. Prior to this, the only reference to the obvious question on everyone’s mind was from German Chef, Ullrich Kasselmann who explained in part the third place finish of the German Dressage team was affected by the distraction of the issue. But it was Sjef Janssen responding to a question from the press with an opening statement “I hope you are not going to fall off of your chair.”
