So close, but yet so far away... Scott Brash almost took his second title in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, seven years after his first victory with Hello Sanctos in 2015. But, as the final rider in the ring, Germany's rising star Gerrit Nieberg snatched the win from the Brit – who still is the only rider who has managed to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.
Here we look back at the 2022-edition of the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, which was an absolute thriller from start to finish – with all the ingredients any showjumping fan could have ever wished for.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
All eyes were on title defenders Daniel Deusser and Killer Queen VDM, that eventually had to settle for fourth place after three clear rounds.
Expectations were high for Mclain Ward, who had won both Grand Prix qualifiers with Contagious. In the end, the American style icon had to settle for the fifth place when HH Azur had final oxer in the jump-off down after a risky last run.
Nicola Philippaerts rode three absolutely incredible rounds on the feisty Katanga vh Dingeshof to finish third. "I am very happy with Katanga, she jumped really good all week and I am very proud of her to finish third in the biggest Grand Prix in the world," Philippaerts said.
Christian Ahlmann and Dominator 2000 Z almost made it to the jump-off, but the front plank on the oxer at jump no. six in the second round hit the ground and the German rider ended 6th.
Kevin Staut's Visconti du Telman impressed again, but kicked out the poles on the oxer coming out of the double of liverpools.
Conor Swail had a hairy moment on the first fence in round one, but miraculously cleared the oxer and went clear around the track with the wonderful Count Me In.
Darragh Kenny's VDL Cartello just never stops delivering, and jumped clear in the first round, and with only an unlucky rail down on the upright at no. 7 in round two, the ultra-consistent pair finished 9th.
Olympic Champions Ben Maher and Explosion W jumped a fantastic clear in the first round but in the second round both top poles on the middle element of the triple combinations fell to the ground, and the two had to settle for 10th place.
Reigning German Champions Mario Stevens and Starissa moved on to the second round with four faults from the first, and jumped a clear round to end 11th.
The dreaded double of liverpools next to the lake took its toll in the second round. Philipp Weishaupt parted ways with Asathir here, followed by Harry Charles who had Romeo 88 jump through the first oxer of the same combination and then opted to retire.
The Prize of the Federal Minister of the Interior and Homeland is a special trophy for the best showjumper of the tournament, and it went to USA's style icon Mclain Ward who had an incredible show winning both Grand Prix qualifiers, and moved on all the way to the jump-off in the Rolex Grand Prix.
The Halla Challenge Trophy goes to the best horse of the show: This year it was Scott Brash's Hello Jefferson, who was absolutely incredible in both the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup and the Rolex Grand Prix.
High-five: Stanny Van Paesschen and Scott Brash's longtime groom David Honnet.
Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei had a very unlucky rail on the Mercedes-Benz upright away from the in-gate on the very last line in the first round.
Nicola Philippaerts had good reason to smile.
Killer Queen VDM and Daniel Deusser with their eyes on the prize.
Thankfully, Jur Vrieling and Long John Silver 3 escaped a scary fall. The stallion slipped in the turn back to the upright at fence no. 9 in round one, lost his balance and fell over.
Nayel Nassar impressed with a superb clear in round one, but unfortunately two poles fell for Igor van de Wittemoere in round two.
Yuri Mansur thanks the crowds in Aachen, that were extraordinary for this year's edition, creating an unbelievable atmosphere.
These two really gave it their all! Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson open and close this photo special.
Then