Text © World of Showjumping 

Brazil’s Stephan de Freitas Barcha bested a field of 54 horse-and-rider combinations in Tuesday’s CSIO5* 1.45m STAWAG opening jumping competition at CHIO Aachen 2025. Riding the 16-year-old gelding Chevaux Hex Lup Imperio Egipcio (X-Rated GMS x Clinton JMEN), de Freitas Barcha stopped the clock on 61.27 seconds early on in the class to take the win. 

“Chevaux Hex Lup Imperio Egipcio is a Brazilian-bred horse that came to Europe three years ago, and he is a specialist. He has won a lot in his career, at some big venues like Barcelona, Geneva, Rome, and now here in Aachen – which is really special. I’m very happy with him!” the Brazilian winner said to World of Showjumping.

Most of the riders opted to school their horses in this first CSIO5* class at Soers. A round in 62.56 seconds was good enough for second place today, delivered by de Freitas Barcha’s compatriot Pedro Veniss aboard CS Hortencia (Etoulon VDL x Cassini II). Denis Lynch (IRL) completed the top three with Brooklyn Heights (Nabab de Reve x For Pleasure), with a time of 62.83 seconds. Olivier Perreau (FRA) and Himalaya du Temple (Toulon x Radieux) finished fourth in 63.10 seconds, followed by Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP) and Made In’t Ruytershof (Norton D' Eole x Diamant de Semilly) in 64.51.