TSCHIO Aachen, the second Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of the calendar year, began today at the Aachen Soers Showground, bringing together the world’s leading horse and rider combinations for three days of elite competition. Among the opening day highlights was the first qualifier for Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix, where 49 riders entered the iconic Main Stadium, each aiming to secure their place in the show’s pinnacle class.

The 1.55m class featured 13 combinations and was contested over a single round against the clock, with victory awarded to the rider who produced the fastest time on the fewest penalties. The course, designed by Frank Rothenberger, provided a fitting test, requiring accuracy, pace and composure from an exceptional field of riders.

With Rolex Grand Slam Major winners, Olympic and Championship medallists among the start list, the opening Rolex Grand Prix qualifier underlined the depth of talent assembled for this special edition of the TSCHIO Aachen. Second into the arena, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann was the first of the world-class field to set the standard, producing a smooth clear round in 74.30 seconds with Qasirah van de Reistenhoek. His lead, however, was quickly bettered by Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam, who shaved more than a second off the reigning individual World Champion’s time to cross the line in 72.94 seconds with James Kann Cruz.

Luciana Diniz and the grey Vertigo Du Desert then raised the standard further, moving into the lead in 71.47 seconds, before Ireland once again came to the fore as Daniel Coyle delivered a beautifully judged round aboard Farrel to stop the clock in 70.99 seconds. With many of the sport’s leading combinations still to come, Coyle’s time placed the remaining field under pressure. Several combinations continued to challenge in the latter stages, but none could quite match the Irishman’s performance, leaving Coyle to secure victory in the first Rolex Grand Prix qualifier of the weekend.

Speaking on his win, Coyle stated: “This is a really nice way to start the weekend. To win the first qualification class is not something that always happens. In speed classes, you often need a little bit of luck – which I had – and that is very normal. The best riders in the world are here, and today I was fortunate to come out on top. Farrel, is now 16 years, and I have had him since he was seven. He has gone through every level with me and been incredible. He is like a best friend. When I need help, he is always there, and today we needed to qualify, so he really stepped up.”

The Irishman added: “Aachen is one of the most important shows in the world, so it is always special to have a win here. I am not sure yet which horse I will ride on Sunday. I will have a discussion with the owner, look through the videos, and see which horse feels like the best option for the Rolex Grand Prix. At the moment, I have not made that decision yet.”

This will be your first time competing at Aachen. What does it mean to make your debut at one of the four Majors that make up the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping?

OL: It is a real “pinch me” experience. To be here, riding alongside so many of the best riders in the world, and to have the chance to compete in this arena, is incredibly special. For me, Aachen is one of those places every rider dreams of riding at once in their life. After the warm-up yesterday, I joked that perhaps I could just tick it off the list and go home, but of course it is much more than that. It is a huge honour.

It is also important for me looking ahead. If I want to dream of competing at the FEI World Championships later this year, then to have already experienced this arena and this level of atmosphere is very valuable. It gives me a chance to understand the ring, the scale and the pressure that comes with it.

Aachen is known for its scale, atmosphere and history. What had you heard from other riders about competing in the Main Stadium, and how did it compare to what you experienced?

OL: I have watched Aachen many times, so I knew how impressive it was, but I still expected to feel a little “lost” when I went into the ring because it is so big. This season I have done a lot of indoor shows, in much smaller arenas, so this was definitely outside of my comfort zone, and also a little bit outside the comfort zone for my horse. To be honest, it felt even bigger than I expected, but I had prepared myself for that feeling. I knew I would need to rethink things a little in the ring and adapt to the space.

How have preparations gone for this year’s edition of TSCHIO Aachen, and what has been the main priority for you and the team?

BR: This year’s event is different from a normal CHIO Aachen, that is for sure. However, our main focus is always the same: to prepare the venue in the best possible way and to provide the very best conditions for the riders and horses.

For us, that starts with the footing, especially for the grass arenas, as well as the stables and all the infrastructure that is needed to welcome the best horses in the world. That is always one of our main priorities.

This year, with a shortened programme, it has also been very important to create a schedule that gives riders the best possible opportunities to bring their horses here, to compete, and to prepare well for the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday. At the same time, we want to offer spectators a very attractive schedule.

I think we have achieved a good mixture of top sport and entertainment. On Saturday evening, for example, we have a very exciting night with the concert, Horse & Symphony, in the Main Stadium, with the Aachen Symphony Orchestra playing live while horses and riders perform to the music. I think it will be a very good combination and a really special show.

The 2026 event takes place across a compact three-day format from 22–24 May. How has this shaped the sporting programme and the build-up to Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix?

BR: A lot of thought has gone into finding the right programme. We always like to offer competitions for young horses, because riders love to bring them to Aachen and give them the experience of competing in the big arena, often for the first time. So, we will again have young horse classes as part of the programme.

There has been a lot of focus on creating the right balance. It is also different for us because, normally, our show is centred around the Nations Cup, with a different invitation model. This year, we are working with a CSI5* invitation model, so we have had to make sure that everything is in order within a new system.

There have been a few elements that are different for the team, and everyone has had to adapt. However, I think that is also a good thing. It is always positive to try new things, to develop ideas, and to come up with something different.