An Aachen Overview
I promised a more detailed analysis of the Aachen big tour competition so here it is.
First let me say that there is no show in the world that compares to Aachen. Quite simply, Frank Kemperman and his crew put on the best show in the world and, despite all the uproar over the German troubles with doping and the upheaval withing their natiional federation, from everything I heard the competition was still a great success.
Now, I wasn’t there in person but I didn’t have to be in order to be jumping up and down with pride over the amazing victories of Steffen Peters and Ravel! His dreams most definitely are coming true, big time, and as they are so are the dreams of his grateful country and, most definitely, mine. He was far and away the winner of the Grand Prix, much to the surprise of many who were certain of the usual German triumphs. So what exactly happened to the German team?
For one thing, the home town queen, Isabell Werth, was, as everyone knows, not allowed to compete due to a provisional suspension pending the tribunal hearing. In the meantime, I have been very proud of all those people who have reminded people that she is innocent until determined otherwise by the FEI, and that she and her amazing career should be respected. As for the rest of the team, my personal take on the situation is that this weakening of the German “machine” has been taking place over a period of time going back to Athens, 2004. Did their team win there? Yes it did. But the scores have been getting closer and on the Grand Prix Special day, had this competition alone determined the team medals, the United States would have won the gold! And let’s not forget that the Dutch beat the Germans in the following World Championships as well. It just goes to show that even the strongest countries have cycles when older horses and riders retire, have health issues, or incur other circumstances which alter their standing in the world. But mark my words - Deutchland does not take defeat laying down and they will work harder than ever to put themselves right back on top as soon as they can.
The Dutch, on the other hand, even with Anky and Salinero just coming back after time off and not yet showing at their best, won even without Edward Gal and his new star, Totalis and Adelinde Cornelissen’s Parsival. From their Junior programs to their elite International ones, Nederland has it all goin’ on! And let’s not forget that they are breeding and keeping their best horses for their top riders. What a concept!
Also in the medals, even with some bad luck when Laura Bechtolsheimer’s horse got its tongue over the bit (I know exactly how that feels and it’s awful! 
), were the British Team. I have a very good feeling they will do it again for the European Championships on their own soil at the end of the summer. With Carl Hester and Emme Hindle both putting in very good showings, I think Laura will do her usual fine job as she has all year up until Aachen and even give the German team a run for the silver.
I think the Danes will keep improving for a fourth place and, though I was sad to hear of the great competitor, Jan Brink, and his plans for retirement, the Swedes will probably place right behind them. I remember in 1984 when the Swedish team as well as the Russian and Swiss teams were all extremely strong. This, once again, speaks to the cyclical evolution of the sport in every country, but also shows which ones have had very strong and well funded programs in place to bring along new squads of riders and horses.
I secretly wish, as was the case some years ago when Lisa Wilcox was invited to ride in the European Championships, that our star, Steffen, could contend to become the European Champion. But as far as I’m concerned, he really just did that by winning the greatest Dressage tournament in the world - Aachen!
Cheers!
RD
