Lexington, KY – The World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen, got under way with the Vaulting competition on Friday, June 26. The US finished the weekend of competition strong with a sixth place finish by Team Mt. Eden Sun.
Steffen Peters and Ravel Head to CHIO Aachen (Shannon Brinkman)
One of the most acclaimed competitions in the world continues into the Fourth of July weekend as both Dressage and Show Jumping take center stage. Representing the US in Dressage are Steffen Peters on Ravel and Catherine Haddad on Cadillac 35. Hot off their win at the Rolex FEI World Cup Final in April, Peters and Ravel are prepared to keep their impressive winning streak alive, having only ever been beaten at two competitions in their Grand Prix career – one was the 2008 Olympic Games where they finished fourth individually. This will be only the second time 11-year-old Ravel (who is owned by Akiko Yamazaki) has competed outside of the United States.
Haddad, who is based in Germany, and her 12-year-old rising star Cadillac have been steadily gaining momentum this season, winning the Grand Prix Special at the Vidauban CDI3*in June. This was the pair’s sixth Grand Prix victory in 2009. Haddad will also compete in the CDI4* with Maximus JSS. Chef d’Equipe Jessica Ransehousen will guide the US Dressage riders in Germany.
The Meydan FEI Nations Cup will continue in Aachen, and the US is prepared to defend their lead as the competition proves to get even tougher. After two impressive wins (out of the first four legs) on the tour, the US was second behind France after yet another two-way jump off in Rotterdam on June 19. Representing the US in Aachen will be: Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7, Lauren Hough and Quick Study, Olympic Gold Medalists Laura Kraut and Cedric and McLain Ward and Sapphire and Todd Minikus and Pavarotti. Chef d’Equipe George Morris will determine which four riders will jump at Thursday’s draw.
The Dressage and Show Jumping events will run June 30 – July 5.
ENDS
Media Guides for CHIO Aachen can be found by visiting: http://www.usef.org/contentPage2.aspx?id=mediaguides. Coverage of the all the events at CHIO Aachen can be found by visiting http://www.chioaachen.com/