Aachen, Germany—July 15  

In a result that these days seems inevitable, German eventing phenom Michael Jung took over the lead in the CIC at the Aachen CHIO with a clear show jumping round aboard fischerTakinou. 

Michael Jung on fischerTakinou, jumping clear to go into the CIC lead at Aachen. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Dressage leader and compatriot Bettina Hoy had two rails about Mongeigneur Medicott to drop to second, while Shane Rose of Australia lies in third with CP Qualified, as his Australian team held onto their lead in the team competition. 

For the United States, Lauren Kieffer put in a faultless round aboard Landmark’s Monte Carlo to move up to 16th, while one rail from Hannah Sue Burnett dropped her and Harbor Pilot to 18th. Matt Brown on Super Socks BCF and Phillip Dutton on Indian Mill both had 12-fault rounds, putting them 34th and 37th respectively. The U.S. team dropped to sixth place. 

Two of the top German individual entries—Julia Krajewski on Samourai du Thot and Sandra Auffarth on Opgun Louvo—withdrew after the show jumping. Krajewski would have been tied for the lead with Jung, while Auffarth would have been in third. It’s likely that they have the Rio Olympic Games as a long-term goal. 

Lauren Kieffer’s clear round on Landmark’s Monte Carlo boosted them up 10 places to 16th. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbor Pilot’s 4-fault round put them in 18th. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Matt Brown on Super Sock BCF. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF cantering around the iconic Aachen main stadium. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Lauren Kieffer crosses the show jumping finish line in the main Aachen stadium. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Team USA walks the show jumping course. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Two legendary riders and coaches—David O’Connor (left) and Robert Dover—chat. Photo by Shannon Brinkman