The twenty-three riders and horses appreciated the early start because of the unseasonably hot weather. Nadine Capellman-Biffar riding Nikolaus, a lovely 9 year old bay Westphalian gelding by Weinberg, has developed a seat as quiet as her sister, Gina Capellmann-Lutkemeier, who was a young dressage star when we had our riding school in Brand by Aachen, finishing in 5^th place while Gina, also riding a bay gelding, finished out the money.

Louise Nathhorst (Sweden) riding Guinness 888, an 8 year old black Danish bred stallion by Dolomit with great extensions, especially at the canter, won the top prize of 1500 Mark (~$845). Becoming one with her horse, Nicole Uphoff finished second (1100 DM, ~ $616) on a relaxed young horse, Relevant, a 7 year old, liver chestnut, Oldenburg stallion by Rubenstein. Kyra Kyrklund (Finland) finished third (750 DM, ~ $420) on Limbo, an 8 year old, bay, gelding by Lucky Light. Isabell Werth on Aleppo, a big chestnut gelding with 2 high white behind and a dribble of white down one front leg, whose 4 tempi changes were so big that he almost ran out of room on the diagonal, finished in 7^th place.

As if everyone starting young horses a few years ago was looking for another Rembrandt, about one third of the class were bay geldings, including Kyra Kyrklund’s Limbo and both Capellmann mounts. Dominated by competent women riders with quiet, adhesive seats, astride expressive, talented movers, the top twelve finishing in the money all scored above 65% even though critically judged to Olympic, World and European Championship standards, and only two rides in the entire class, fell slightly below 60%. The audience commiserated with the one poor rider who made the mistake of entering the ring before he dropped his whip. Looking like he was about to cry, he was eliminated.  (Daily dressage results - click the hyper links at the bottom of this article.)

The Grand Prix starts on Thursday. Jumping and driving results are also available – click on the Aachen CHIO hyperlink in the navigation bar below.