Fredricson wins the opening jumping competition at the CHIO Aachen

Peder Fredricson is the name of the first winner of the show-jumping competitions at the CHIO Aachen (June 26th-July 5th). The Swedish rider claimed the victory in the NETAACHEN Prize on Tuesday on Maloubet de Pleville with a clear round in 65.45 seconds. Second place went to the Brazilian rider Bernardo Alves on Kingly du Reverdy (0 faults/65.69), ahead of the British show-jumper, Phillip Spivey on Nenagh (0/68.41).

Thomas Weinberg who ranked eleventh on Ariella was the best German rider (0/75.75). In total 83 competitors rode into the famous stadium at the Aachen Soers for the opening jumping competition.

BRAZILIAN RIDER BERNARDO ALVES WIN THE STAWAG PRIZE

“Chupa Chup is an exceptional horse. He has a big canter and is usually very fast,” is how a beaming Bernardo Alves substantiated his speedy round. At the CHIO Aachen on Tuesday, the Brazilian rider didn't just jump clear in the STAWAG Prize, a penalties/time jumping competition, on his eleven-year-old gelding, but also managed to cross the finish line in the unbeatable time of 67.43 seconds. “At first the course didn't look too difficult, but it was in fact very demanding. The triple combination was particularly tricky,” was Alves analysis of the course. “After I had watched Ashlee in the ring, I thought, that was the winning ride, but then it was possible to beat the time.”

“He managed to beat me after all.” The US-American Ashlee Bond shook her head in fake indignance – but really she was delighted at coming second at her CHIO premiere. She took 1.52 seconds longer to finish the course with the 12-year-old Holsteiner Cadett Z. The 24-year old rider is relatively unknown in Germany. “This is my first European tour. But I am not that well-known in the USA either,” reported the petite show-jumper with a smile. As well as riding she has also launched her own fashion line. “Very beautiful and sexy”, she added, making use of the opportunity to promote her collection.

Third place in the STAWAG Prize went to a cheerful Marcus Ehning (Borken) on Noltes Küchengirl. “I took things a little easier. Now that I am a bit older, I take a bit more time with the mare than I used to in the past,” joked the 35-year-old, alluding to his unfortunate mishaps with the mare at the FEI World Equestrian Games 2006 in Aachen and the 2007 European Championships in Mannheim. Ehning made a relaxed and content impression – he married his long-term companion, the former Vaulting World Champion, Nadia Zülow, last Wednesday. “I am quite at ease now, because Nadia is on her way to Aachen,” revealed Ehning. And under the current circumstances he prefers to have his newly-wedded wife close-by – the couple is namely expecting their first child in just under two weeks time.

Swiss rider Christina Liebherr's 14-year-old gelding, No Mercy, who sustained an injury on landing after a jump in the STAWAG Prize and had to be led out of the ring, is now on his way to the clinic. “After the initial check-up it looks like No Mercy has injured a tendon, so he is having to undergo further checks and treatment,” Show Director, Frank Kemperman, relayed the vet's initial findings.