As last to go in a jump-off of seventeen, Germany's own Jana Wargers and Dorette (Dollar du Murier x Fighting Alpha 3) delivered an outstanding performance to give the host nation a win in Friday’s CSIO5* 1.60m RWE Prize of North Rhine Westphalia at the 2023-editon of CHIO Aachen – snatching the victory from her compatriot Richard Vogel.
“I really don’t have words for it, it is really an unbelievable feeling,” Wargers said after receiving a standing ovation at Soers as she and Dorette crossed the finish line as winners of one of the qualifier for Sunday's Rolex Grand Prix. “I am so happy and proud, it was just so much fun today.”
Here Wargers gets a big hug from her boss Enda Carroll, of Ashford Farm, after her win.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
As pathfinders of the CSIO5* 1.60m RWE Prize of North Rhine Westphalia, Wargers and the 14-year-old Dorette delivered a clear round.
Immediately after, Great Britain's Ben Maher and Faltic HB bounced back from their elimination in Wednesday's Turkish Airlines Prize of Europe and secured a jump-off when delivering a clear round.
Switzerland's Alain Jufer and Dante MM once again jumped clear, just like in the Turkish Airlines Prize of Europe.
France's Kevin Staut and Dialou Blue PS jumped double clear and finished third. "I was far from Richard and Jana, but it was a fantastic afternoon and every day here we have amazing competition and that is why Aachen is so special," Staut said.
Germany's own Philipp Weishaupt and Zineday qualified for the jump-off, but opted not to return.
Belgium's Olivier Phlippaerts and H&M Miro were one of seventeen pairs that delivered a clear round.
This horse... With only one time penalty, Rodrigo Pessoa's Major Tom was not in the jump-off, but watch out for these two in Sunday's Rolex Grand Prix.
Planks and poles on the Turkish Airlines oxer fell again...
...and again...
...and this was a jump the horses really did not like much.
Tim Gredley's stunning Imperial HBF.
Germany's Gerrit Nieberg and Ben, last year's winners of the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, also made it to the jump-off.
Hansi Dreher's Cous Cous 3 is a feisty mood.
Ireland's Daniel Coyle and Legacy won the Prize of StädteRegion Aachen in memory of Landrat Hermann-Josef Pütz earlier in the week, and once again made it to the jump-off on Friday. Here Coyle is debriefing with his trainer Jeroen Dubbeldam.
Mexico's Eugenio Garza Perez thanks Contago for a clear round. The pair eventually finished 7th.
Nathalie Dean thanks Nespresso van 't Laekhof after a four-fault round.
It was a good class for the Germans, with six home riders qualifying for the jump-off. One of them was Jörne Sprehe, riding Hot Easy, who ended fifth.
Another one was living legend Ludger Beerbaum, who finished 6th with Mila.
France's lovely pair Megane Moissonnier and Bracadabra on their way to a clear round.
Great Britain's Harry Charles was happy with Aralyn Blue who jumped a double clear to end 4th...
...and dad Peter Charles was of course present to help and support.
France's Simon Delestre and I Amelusina R 51 also made it to the jump-off, here the French rider gives his chestnut a hug.
Kisses for Mila.
As third out in the jump-off, Richard Vogel put Cepano Baloubet in turbo gear and powered through the track, setting the time to beat to 45.67 – and it held until the very last pair in the ring.
Vogel gets a snack...
...for Cepano Baloubet.
Harry Charles taking a look at the jump-off unfolding.
As last to go, Jana Wargers and Dorette entered the main arena at Soers. With the packed stadium cheering them on, Wargers and the 14-year-old chestnut mare gave it their best shot – stopping the clock on 43.69, shaving nearly two seconds off on Vogel's leading time.
The smile says it all!
“When I heard that Richie was in front and he was very fast, I knew I had to give everything,” Wargers said afterwards. “I knew my horse is very fast, and I knew I had to get a good rhythm to start, and finally I got it the right way, and I am very happy."
Kisses for Dorette.
Hugs all around...
...no sore losers here...
...a happy team...
...Michael Cristofoletti hugs Jana Wargers...
...who could not stop smiling!
Paul Schockemöhle came to congratulate Wargers and Dorette.
Scott Brash and Enda Carroll.
What a jump-off these two delivered! "I think what Jana did today was outstanding so to be second today feels good. Doing well in Aachen, at home, is always something special," Vogel said.
Then