No less than thirteen out of the 46 horse-and-rider combinations in the class posted clear rounds, to join the jump-off. The first to answer all the questions asked by course designer Frank Rothenberger over the 14-fence track was Farrington, who as pathfinder rode Myla to a clear round. With the fastest time in round one, Farrington got the advantage of going last into the jump-off.

Richard Vogel and the lovely Cloudio secured a jump-off at Soers, as third to go in the ring.

Hans-Dieter Dreher and Vestmalle des Cotis made it three for the jump-off.

Then it became four, five, six: Daniel Bluman on Corbie V.V., Emilie Conter on Portobella van de Fruitkorf (who opted to withdraw from the jump-off) and Sophie Hinners on Iron Dames Singclair.

And seven: Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly.

Nicola Philippaerts and Katanga v.h. Dingeshof brought the number for the jump-off up to eight.

Ping Pong van de Lentamel and Gerrit Nieberg continue to impress, and also joined the jump-off.

Reigning European Champions Steve Guerdat and Dynamix de Belheme made it ten for the jump-off with their clear round.

Then it was eleven... Lillie Keenan and Fasther.

The horses and riders jumped in all kinds of weather yesterday... From 38 degrees and sun from clear sky, to 22 and pouring rain. Here Marcus Ehning and Coolio 42...

...brave the elements, making it five German riders in the jump-off.

The last to join in was Ioli Mytilineou riding L'Artiste de Toxandra.

Aachen always offers unpredictable weather, but Wednesday was indeed extreme with the Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe being delayed after the previous class came to an unexpected halt twice.

McLain Ward improvising with the rain gear...

It was worth it to get wet though, as Ward's student Lillie Keenan jumped double clear to end 9th with Fasther.

Steve Guerdat getting ready to go...

...with support following.

Guerdat delivered a very fast round in 39.78 seconds, but Dynamix clipped the front rail on the last Turkish Airlines oxer which came on a difficult angle for the horses.

“It's always a little more difficult going earlier in the class,” Maher said after he eventually ended 3rd with his time of 39.65 seconds. “I have had a few problems in the jump-offs recently, I have tried to take too much risk and it hasn't come off and Dallas also lost a little confidence in that. Normally I could start the course a little bit faster, but I decided to stick to my plan so I probably was a bit slower on the first two jumps. But she jumped great and she did everything I asked her to do. Steve knocked the last jump down just before I went in and there was a little bit of a blind angle there. Daniel did a great job there, took risk. It’s fine margins at this level of sport – you take a little bit of hesitation, or a little bit of security in some places, and then you leave the door open. But, I’m very happy she jumped with confidence, and she'll jump in the Nations Cup tomorrow for our team. It’s a great start; I feel good and my horses feel great.”

Marcus Ehning did not get his turn back to the Mercedes-Benz upright just right, and did a circle with Coolio before continuing.

It was a busy night for the Germans, here Richard Vogel gets ready to go...

...while Sophie Hinners leaves the ring with Iron Dames Singclair after a double clear round which eventually left them 6th.

Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst and German chef d'equipe Otto Becker watching on from the warm-up.

Aachen’s darling Richard Vogel really pushed for Maher’s time but not even he could do anything to make the lead change hands – slotting into a temporary second place with Cloudio as the clock showed 39.92 seconds.

Only all or nothing would do to beat Maher, and in Daniel Bluman’s case he decided for the first option. Riding the lovely Corbie V.V., Bluman did the seemingly impossible with a round so fast that it was hard to follow – with his mare miraculously clearing the last oxer after a spectacular round, crossing the finish line in 38.81 seconds to take the lead.

Team celebrations after a double clear for Ioli Mytilineou and L'Artiste de Toxandra, leaving them 5th in the end.

Ping Pong! Bouncing around at Soers to a double clear and finishing 8th.

It's never safe for those up in the lead when Farrington is last to go.

Riding the 10-year-old Myla, Farrington came in as last to go in the jump-off of twelve – blazing around the shortened track to snatch the win from Daniel Bluman by 0.28 seconds.

“I trust that horse and her speed across the ground so I can match most of the strides, or even do one extra and know that she's going to be very quick or close to their time,” Farrington said about challenging Bluman and Maher. “I did one stride less across the middle than I maybe would have done if I went first, so more or less I tried to do my horse’s best round and tonight that was good enough.”

“This is the best show in the world; great crowd, best riders, strong support – I think we all love competing here, and it feels great to win too,” Farrington said after flying to the victory in Aachen.

How happy you get if you win in Aachen!

Checking for well deserved treats.

Sergio Alvarez Moya, who rode Myla until the summer of 2023 when Kent Farrington took over the reins, was also in Aachen and made sure to give the lovely mare some cuddles.

“Myla is a big heart in a small package,” Farrington said of his winning mare. “If you stand next to her, she looks like a little pony. She's very kind, she's incredibly brave and she really fights for the rider. She tries to do anything you ask and tonight we asked her to win, and she delivered.”

Corbie V.V with her groom Phoebe Leger.

Dallas Vegas Batilly looking smashing in Aachen.

1st, 2nd. “Emotionally I would say I'm frustrated, obviously because it's an incredible show and to win this class means a lot for any rider and I think I came pretty close,” Bluman said after having to settle for second, 0.28 behind Farrington. “But, then realistically speaking you are competing against the best in the world – I think that on my right and to my left [Editor's note: Farrington and Maher] I have a couple of the very best in the world. Again, realistically speaking there's some of us that are very good, but we're just one level before that, which is why I realistically shouldn't be too upset with the result. I couldn't beat Kent, but I did beat Ben – so you know we have to take it how it is. Emotionally, I wish I would be where he [Editor's note: Farrington] is sitting but I'm very happy with the performance of the horse – she was amazing. The place here in Aachen is just magical, to have the opportunity to be here; it's a show that I think every kid dreams of riding.”

Farrington thanks Myla for the win. “I'm very happy to win tonight but I also know that the work has just begun – it's a long week here,” Farrington said looking forward to the days to come at Soers.

Congrats Team KPF!

Goodnight from Soers!