Adorned with colourful flower decorations and packed stands, Stadium 2 at the Allianz Park provided the perfect stage for the start of the FEI Eventing World Championship. In the DHL-Prize – a phase that is decisive for both the individual and team standings – the first 43 of the 87 participants in total performed their dressage tests today on the specially prepared grass arena. Britain’s Tom McEwen, riding his experienced mount, JL Dublin, delivered the best performance of the day. Ranked fifth in the world, he was pleased with his ride, which was awarded a score of 26.6, even though he had secretly hoped for an even higher score. “My horse was a bit ‘hot’ at the start of the test,” the 35-year-old explained. Furthermore, at a critical moment, an annoying fly disrupted the 15-year-old Holsteiner’s concentration – the very horse that McEwen claimed team gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with. “However, it is a really strong result for our team.”

Gemma Stevens, who was a member of the winning team at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon (USA), delivered another strong round for the British squad. In Aachen, she is riding Flash Cooley, a 14-year-old grey gelding, whom she describes as follows: “He may be small, but he has a huge heart.” A minor misunderstanding during the final flying changes cost her valuable points. However, on a score of 29.3, Stevens played a key role in Great Britain going into the lead after day one – albeit tying with the New Zealand team with both on 55.9.

Jonelle Price with Senor Crocodillo (27.2) and Clarke Johnstone with Rocket Man (28.7) attained an equally strong overall result for the team from overseas. The German team follows in third place, poised to strike: Representing the hosts, Libussa Lübbeke with Caramia FRH (31.3) and Malin Hansen-Hotopp with Carlitos Quidditch K (28.6) put in solid performances in the dressage arena today.

Tomorrow, the second half of the dressage test in the DHL-Prize is scheduled to begin at 9:30. That is when competitors such as the three-time individual Olympic Champion, Michael Jung with fischerChipmunk FRH (Germany), and the British double European Champion, Laura Collett with London as well as the number one in the world ranking, Tim Price (NZL) with Falco, will step into the ring.

Would you like to experience the spectacular eventing competition live? Then, secure your tickets now for the action-packed cross-country phase and the thrilling finale – the jumping – via the online shop, from the ticket hotline on +49-241-9171111, or via the office of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein.