WoSJ Photo Specials – Out & About in Aachen

Last week, Germany's Aachen hosted the second Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of the year. As Aachen will also stage the 2026 World Championships later this summer, this year's edition of what has traditionally been a multi-discipline CHIO Aachen was reduced to only jumping. However, the seats were full at the magical Soers showgrounds, and on Sunday, the atmosphere during the Rolex Grand Prix was unmatched – and the starting field was exceptionally strong, with 30 riders from the current top 32 at start.

With these photos, we take one final look back at Aachen – from the vet check on Thurday to the two Rolex Grand Prix qualifiers.

All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping. No reproduction of any of the content in this article will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.

Philipp Weishaupt's long-time groom Lisa Fundis and Lady Concern du Rezidal waiting for their turn during the vet check.

Space to play...

Tiffany Letallec – Nicola Philippaert's showgroom – with Rolex ter Leydonck.

Photo © Jenny A Photo/WoSJ.
Photo © Jenny A Photo/WoSJ.

All smiles in Aachen...

Hello there Ermitage Kalone!

Caroline Belouet and Julien Epaillard's Le Coultre de Muze.

Photo © Jenny A Photo/WoSJ.
Photo © Jenny A Photo/WoSJ.

There is always time for a cuddle...

Italy's Piergiorgio Bucci warming up for the weekend.

In the Youngster Tour, exciting future prospects got a chance to experience the unique Aachen atmosphere.

Janika Sprunger and the 8-year-old mare Victory Music Z won the Youngster Tour Final.

Following in his father's footsteps... Richard Vogel brought United Call to Aachen for his international debut.

Philipp Weishaupt in the signature grey from Team Beerbaum.

The current world number five, Belgium's Gilles Thomas.

The Irish chef d'equipe Jessica Kürten and the current world number four, Great Britain's Ben Maher.

The current world number seven, Ireland's Shane Sweetnam.

Henrik von Eckermann with his former boss Ludger Beerbaum.

Photo © Jenny A Photo/WoSJ.
Photo © Jenny A Photo/WoSJ.

McLain Ward and Willem Greve.

Karl Cook taking a closer look at the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping wall.

Aaron Vale hacked around the showgrounds without a saddle...

...while others opted for more traditional gear.

Christian Ahlmann and Dourkhan Hero Z taking flight...

Julien Epaillard and Easy Up de Grandry won the opening CSI5* Prize of Soers on Friday...

...and went on to also top Saturday's CSI5* 1.50m Prize of Aachen Campus.

Ireland's Daniel Coyle and Farrel won the first Rolex Grand Prix qualifier.

"To win any class in Aachen is huge, and to win a big class like this is something special,” Coyle said after he and Ariel Grange’s 16-year-old gelding Farrel won Friday’s CSI5* 1.55m – the first qualifier for the Rolex Grand Prix. “I am delighted that it was Farrel that did it; he has been my best friend and my biggest help in the last few years.”

Lillie Keenan and Kick On won the second Rolex Grand Prix qualifier.

“The most important thing for me, especially with this horse, is to not force anything,” Keenan said afterwards. “He truly is the epitome of what I think makes our sport so special; that it is really a dance between a horse and rider, and it is a duet – you have to guide them, not command. That is really the way I think of it.”

Henrik von Eckermann and Glamour Girl won Sunday morning’s CSI5* 1.50m Prize of Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein E.V. in Aachen.

“She is a fighter,” von Eckermann said about Glamour Girl. “She is coming close to winning 50 classes. She is 15, but she is as motivated as she was when she was ten. She is an amazing horse, and so competitive – it is a special quality to have in a horse.”