On Sunday afternoon (July 2nd, 2023) the world elite of equestrian sports will compete in the Grand Prix of Aachen. The highlight of the CHIO is one of the most renowned competitions and leaves lasting memories for the winners. Who follows defending champion Gerrit Nieberg?
“That was by far the greatest success of my career,” says last year’s winner of the Aachen Grand Prix, Gerrit Nieberg. On the back of Ben he managed the surprise success and at the age of 29 prevailed against the greats of equestrian sport. Since then he has stepped out of the shadow of his father and coach Lars Nieberg.
He now joins the world elite of show jumping. At the CHIO this year, the 30-year-old received a lot of attention and now has a new role, that of the hunted. “The expectations are of course higher now. If you like, the result can only be worse,” says Nieberg: “Nevertheless, of course, I’m trying to repeat the success.”
Top favorite comes from the USA
However, defending the title will be very difficult. The competition for the German is strong. Above all, McLain Ward can count himself among the favourites. The American recently won the major tournaments in Geneva and the Dutch Masters and could therefore win the “Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping” in Aachen.
So far, only the Briton Scott Brash 2015 has managed to do this, and he also has realistic chances of winning. With a third success in a row, an additional sum of one million euros would be awarded to Ward.
Ward was also in top form at the Nations Cup, being the only one on his team to have two clear rounds. This was also achieved by the Swiss Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs, who celebrated victory as a team at the Nations Cup. France’s Megane Moissonnier also cleaned twice and is a possible contender for Sunday’s win.
German favorites included
But some of the German team will also be competing for victory. Jana Wargers confirmed her strong form at the NRW Prize on Friday afternoon and won the jump-off. At least now she is one of the narrower circle of favorites. Marcus Ehning was allowed to be at the top in 2006 and 2018. So he knows his way around this competition very well.
The winner of 2011, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, will not be there. Her horse Messi only got fit again shortly before the start of the tournament and will be rested for the time being. She also likes to look back on her triumph in the Aachen Soers: “It’s a unique stadium. I can still remember the last jump, it’s something you only experience once.”
Anyone who experiences an unforgettable moment in the Aachen Soers this year and wins the renowned show-jumping will be eagerly awaited. Some may make claims to the title. Maybe someone new is experiencing the greatest success of their career.