Part 6. Germany and the World Equestrian Games
My transition from Iceland to Aachen required an extra couple of nights accommodation . I had neglected to confirm these with my Aachen host who was by now booked. So with a couple of nights up my sleeve it was either book something else in Aachen and use my direct train ticket from Brussels or invite myself to Sam and Chris’s at Hagen.
Apart from catching up with these good times expats and their gorgeous dogs, I landed in Hagen the night before the Young Horse World Championship Finals at Verden. I don’t spend much time these days pouring over dressage social media but the hype around Charlotte du Jardin’s exciting young 7 year old that had blitzed the field in the first round had filtered down to me. Secret Agent – by Secret. So needless to say, Sam’s invitation long the way on that long travel received a very joyful reaction.
Every overseas adventure that spans countries, especially travelling on one’s own has days that are basically just commuting from beginning to end. I was somewhat nervous heading into that day . From the hotel in Reykjavik, I had a taxi ordered for 4am. Then back on the flybus – flight to Brussels, followed by 3 trains to get to Onsabruck. I found the Brussels airport/train station nerve wracking but fortunately made it on to the correct train courtesy of ChatGTP . I do find AI to be enormously helpful where there is wifi and I need information speedily. Particularly with trains, where platforms and times can change in the blink of an eye. It’s also super easy to be confused by the language issues and names. What we use in English is not necessarily what is used in German, Italian or French.Having made it onto the train from Brussels to Liège, I wasn’t sure of the disembarking station and had a couple of quick AI checkins for reassurance . Liège (in Belgium)goes down as the worst train station so far with both the lift and the down escalator out of action. Fortunately, a nice chap came to my aid before I actually tossed the suitcase down the stairs!
There was also an element of confusion with my last leg (Liège to Cologne was with Eurostar) Cologne to Osnabruck had delay issues and platform changes . Again, a quick pic of the electronic screen allows AI to come back with a yes or no .So another long day of travel accomplished without mishap! Tick for me.
So -to Verden and a totally unplanned but serendipitous day. Amazing , I did attend the World Young Horse Finals way back in 2011. Not a lot has changed – the quality of the horses certainly has . For the better. Charlotte’s lovely boy was caned for his walk – it might be his weakness at this point but it deserved a mark higher than 7. Great to meet up with Tayla and her mum Donna – They very kindly offered me a lift to Aachen. When I last attended this event all commentary was in German – now and apparently sanctioned by the FEI- the commentary on the horses is in English and German ! Much more civilised .
Very happy to avoid the train to Aachen – so we set off for the roughly 3 hour trip with Phil flying along the autobahn . My address safely in the gps, it was only when we got near the city that it became obvious my Airbnb was in the car free old town precinct. I sensed Phil being a little worried- so parked , left Donna in charge of the car and set off to find Annastrasse 2 . Which was easy as it happened and totally delightful. We managed to move the car to just around the corner (actually vehicles are allowed into the precinct for pick up and drop off) but it was all easy really and Phil graciously hauled the horrible suitcase up the stairs. I was so grateful for their kindness with the transport – it made for a stressless start to my 2026 World Equestrian Games Aachen experience. Time for a quick dash to Aldi for wine and more wine – I realised a couple of days later that I had walked the long way to find it only after a day or so improved orientation!
With Queen Mary first to ride for the Australians on day 1 of the team competition, I elected to delay my first sortie to the venue till a little later. I knew there were shuttle buses and again utilised the services of AI to find the stop and bus number to transport me on my maiden voyage to CHIO Aachen – the most outstanding equine competition venue on the planet.
Having been to the World Equestrian Games in 2018 and in 2010, the convention was that in the teams competition the lesser ranked riders (a team consisting of maximum 4, minimum 3) were to ride on day 1. Today, Australia had Mary Hannah riding first followed by Simone – the boys on the second day.
Mary’s test was a bit of a train wreck. With all her experience, she managed to add a couple of extra one time changes – so a possible 69 dropped back to 67. On the other hand Simone did a fantastic job on a young Grand Prix horse that the judges loved.
I am a dressage judge, qualified. I might not be of a very high level but it’s enough to know what is good and isn’t. Our riders on day 2 were subjected to the expert scrutiny of the Judges’ that the sport requires . Making a mark on the world dressage stage is a quantum leap from achieving qualifying for world scores. Unfortunate but true . Nice horses. But they need to be ridden well.
Enough said on that topic . It is what it is. Simone’s results saw her take her place in the elite field of 30 for the Grand Prix Special – and the test was super. The horse is honest and willing and her marks were consistent across the board. She was in the top 10 for most of the day, and as it happened headed for a place in the freestyle . It took me back to 2010 – the year another black stallion was king – Elliot and I in Kentucky – when Brett Parbery went through to the freestyle with Victory Salute.
That Friday was all about the heat. Before the start of the Grand Prix Special Individual competition, the event directors made changes to the time table . There was to be a break of 2.5 hours from 12.30 to 3. Somewhat random given that the worst of the heat was 3-4.30 . Go figure!
Anyway , the extended lunch time proved a great chance to catch up with Sam, Chris and crew. John P also able to join us in the well named ‘Paul’s food and drink’ for a glass of bubbles – it was marginally cooler there too.
The remaining afternoon afternoon sizzled with extraordinary dressage vying for supremacy over the revolting temperature. Ultimately it was all about Glammie and Lottie. Lottie Fry and Glamourdale . Mistakes from Catherine de Falfour and Isabel Werth may have had an impact but not enough .Catherine took silver , Katharina Hemmer and Denoix PCH , the final combination to enter the arena, scored a tick over 80% for bronze. I loved Denoix ,he was regretfully but sensibly withdrawn from the freestyle as connections were concerned about his recovery from an old injury that might be aggravated. Sensible. A lovely combination. It was by my standards, insufferably hot particularly up the top of the Mercedes Benz stand so we bolted for a place cooler once the final halt had been given.
Fortunately the temperature assumed a more civilised level the next day so I headed out to the Eventing Cross Country course armed with the old Canon.
So time for a small rant. It was surprising to me to encounter so many CHIO officials who were inclined to go over the top stamping their authority. Especially early on when things weren’t so busy. I always made sure to sit in my bought seat – but there was one officious individual who must have seen me enter and exit on any number of occasions – yet still insisted that I place my food and drink down (where?)while I fished for my ticket .
Then , cross country day – I roll up to the usual check point only to be told I had to walk basically the best part of 2k to another admission point . Mission accomplished, I had been told it was ok to exit through the village . A relief because I had intended to hand over a few euro for leather fancy collars and leads for the hounds at home and do my bit for shopping at the trade stands .
So cross country great – time to head back via Aldi and prep for the Dressage Finale – the Freestyle. However , not without a discussion with another uniformed would be if he could be who told me I could not enter the Village. I had a valid ticket for the Cross Country and another for the Freestyle – oh no – sorry that’s not valid until 6pm. By this time, my patience was wearing thin – however, I knew I was in a losing argument . Change of tactics and sought out another uniformed person , who immediately waved me through ! Off to the dog collar and lead stand . I ran into Mary Seigfried as I exited the grounds and we had a lovely chat. “This is Aachen” she explained. Yeah, go figure.
It was an amazing experience – the freestyle has been well documented and dressage history rewritten – never before has a combination defended 2 world championship titles in consecutive world equestrian games.
I also found the judging to be so much more consistent. Discrepancies of more than 5% were rare throughout the show. I certainly will never see anything like this again. Hard as it was for me at times, I sat in the magnificent Aachen stadium and soaked up the atmosphere. A tad disappointed that the horses were not part of the presentation ceremony – instead the two legged athletes were driven into the stadium in beautiful carriages . I have been indeed privileged to have been in the audience of some 40,000 at Aachen for WEG 2026 Welcome Home.
