The Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen is one of the most prestigeous Grand Prix competitions in the world, and every rider dreams of winning it. We look back at this year's edition, and the pure happiness of Laura Klaphake when she jumped clear in the first round goes into the row of highlights. All photos (c) Jenny Abrahamsson.
The jumps are huge in the Grand Prix, just look at this massive oxer placed after the open water.
This combination with water trays under caused a lot of problems and was placed on five strides after the oxer above.
Every rider would like to have their name on this board - the winners of the Aachen Grand Prix. This year it was Gregory Wathelet and Coree that made it!
The 18 best riders from the first round qualifies for the second round. This year Beezie Madden and Darry Lou were the unlucky ones, ending 19th being the slowest of the faulters in the first round.
As always the stands were packed when it was time for the Grand Prix.
Last year's winner Philipp Weishaupt with LB Convall had to see some poles fall at the end of the course - not qualifying for the second round.
The 9-year-old Chianti's Champion was doing his 3rd five-star show, and this is how happy his rider Frank Schuttert got when clearing the first round.
Hugo Simon has stopped to compete himself, and has a new role as Sergio Alvarez Moya's trainer.
The first rider in the ring was Bernard Briand Chevalier with Qadillac du Heup, and they had an unlucky fall on the open water. Except a cut from the studs, both horse and rider seemed to do ok and walked out of the ring on foot.
A happy Team Diniz after clearing the two rounds and securing a place in the jump-off.
Laura Kraut only had a couple of seconds to be happy about her second clear of the day, as it was time to refocus and go through the jump-off with her partner Nick Skelton.
Marc Houtzager and Sterrehof's Calimero on their way in to the second round.
Andreas Kreuzer qualified for the second round after only having one time fault in the first round with Calvilot.
Daniel Bluman and Sancha LS having a moment ahead of the first round.
Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 cleared the first round, but had to see a pole fall the second time around - ending 8th.
Marcus Ehning and Pret A Tout had to see a pole fall in both rounds - ending with a total score of 8 faults and taking the 15th place.
When it was only three riders left in the first round the heavens opened up and the rain poured down, but the audience was prepared and stayed put.
Scott Brash, who won the Grand Prix two years ago with Hello Sanctos, ended 9th this year with Ursula XII after having four faults in the first round and clearing the second.
McLain Ward and HH Azur were one of the favorites, but with four faults from the first round they had to settle for 7th place.
Then