Last year’s winner André Thieme protects his best horse at the Chio in Aachen. But even with “Paule” he looks at the great price.
The right place for the WDR interview with André Thieme is quickly found: the huge winning table on the entrance to the big show stadium in the Aachen Soers. There is the illustrious circle of those who have won the Grand Prize of the Chio Aachen. “André Thieme” has also been written there for a year.
How is it to read your name there? “I never really thought about it. But now that if you stand in front of it, it’s a very cool feeling,” says Thieme with a smile.
Drama at the CHIO 2024
The win at the Grand Prize in 2024 was high, the Richard Vogel, who was riding at the time, had already raised the fist to cheer – when a latte fell on the last obstacle.
For Thieme it was the furious end of a roller coaster of feelings at the Chio. “In the Nations Prize, I lost my Olympic ticket each with one error,” he says. “And then somehow the helm on Sunday, to have this satisfaction, this success with this very special horse and in front of a home audience – only the Olympic victory can be equated.”
Thiemes “marriage” with Chakaria
The “special horse”, of which Thieme speaks, is called Chakaria. With the spirited mare, he conducted a marriage -like relationship, enthused the overwhelmed Thieme after his victory. Until they harmonized, it was a long way, explains Thieme. “From the beginning she was a fire chair, such a dragon that it took years to get used to each other properly.”
Thieme is now back at the scene of his greatest success, but Chakaria is not. “Last year she probably injured a little bit in Calgary in Calgary without noticing it. Then we went to Barcelona and won the grand finale with the German team there.”
A year break for Chakaria
Back at home the leg was a bit thick, the tendon was obviously irritated, says Thieme. “Since then we have been on the safe side and immediately drove everything back and said we are taking it out of sport for a year now.”
This precaution is also related to the fact that 2026 the world riding games will take place in Aachen – in the place where Chakaria has already grown beyond itself. “Dreams are allowed. That is why we now want to do everything we can to make it top -of -cited next year.”
Thieme relies on Paule
At the CHIO, Thieme now uses the gelding paule. “It is in good shape, has already won nation prices at the highest level for Germany, has already made its double zero rounds, gained international big prizes and a few weeks ago the Hamburg Derby.”
Is Paule also ripe for Aachen? “We will see. I don’t make the big hopes, but I’m not here either to just look at. I will prepare myself for the big price.”
A CHIO without pressure
Thieme is not nominated for the Nations Prize on Thursday evening and he has the qualification for the Grand Prize on Sunday as a defending champion. “There will not be much pressure all week now, it will be a pure enjoyment,” says Thieme. And maybe Thieme on Paule succeeds again at the end.
Our sources:
- WDR reporter on site
- Conversation with André Thieme
