CHIO in Aachen: Exhibition of the World Championship candidates: veterans demanded

CHIO in Aachen
Show running of the World Cup candidates: veterans demanded

One day after triumphing in the Nations Cup, show jumper André Thieme watched his colleagues compete for the North Rhine-Westphalia Prize at the CHIO in Aachen.

The European champion was able to follow the second victory of the American McLain Ward in a significant competition at this year’s edition of the world’s largest tournament with complete composure.

The 47-year-old from Plau am See and his mare Chakaria are currently the pioneers in the team of national coach Otto Becker and don’t have to prove anything to anyone. At the latest with his appearance in the team competition the day before, he underlined his current leadership role and is considered to be set by Becker for the World Cup in Herning in August: “André is clearly the number one candidate.”

Candidates for the championship in Denmark

The national coach has a comparatively large selection of World Cup candidates this year. Thieme’s team members in Aachen can also have hope: Christian Kukuk from Riesenbeck with Mumbai, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (Pinneberg) with Messi and Jana Wargers, who lives in Belgium, with Limbridge.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be nominated,” said the coach after the acclaimed victory in the one million euro test. And he admitted that there had been “smaller discussions” about the line-up. Because he had renounced some prominent riders in his Aachen team.

“Of course we also have some experienced riders who have often been in the team. But we wanted to bring other riders together to find the right couples for the World Championships,” said the national coach.

In addition to the four couples from the CHIO quartet, Marcus Ehning from Borken with Stargold, Christian Ahlmann (Marl) with Dominator and Daniel Deußer, who also lives in Belgium, with Killer Queen are considered candidates for the championship in Denmark. “It’s an interesting week here and a complicated nomination,” said Becker. In the remaining days of the tournament in Aachen, the trio has the “possibility to recommend themselves,” said the national coach: “You have to step on the gas.”

US rider Ward wins price of North Rhine-Westphalia

After all, two of the experienced trio reached the jump-off in the prize of North Rhine-Westphalia, which is endowed with 200,000 euros: Ahlmann finished ninth with Dominator and only missed second place due to a knockdown at the last obstacle. Deußer was 14th of 16 starters in the jump-off with Killer Queen. Ehning had a knockdown in circulation on Stargold and missed the chance to tie.

The best German rider was Christian Kukuk on Nice in fifth place. He stayed clean in the jump-off. Philip Weishaupt, also from Riesenbeck, finished eighth after a knockdown with Coby.

No one could touch Sieger Ward. As before at the Europa Prize, the 46-year-old rider and the 13-year-old gelding Contagious were unbeatable and won with the fastest clear-cut ride. “He was in a great mood again,” said the two-time team Olympic champion.

The good news for the German riders too: Ward will not compete again with Contagious in the Grand Prix. The most difficult Grand Prix in the world is once again a good opportunity for the German World Cup candidates to recommend themselves to the national coach.

dpa