Aachen, Germany—May 29-31  

Two U.S. dressage stars represented the Stars and Stripes at the abbreviated Aachen CDI this weekend. Because Aachen plays host to the European Championships in August, the traditional 10-day CHIO at Aachen was shortened to a three-day festival with just a few show jumping, dressage and driving classes. 

In the dressage, Steffen Peters and Shelly Francis held their own, placing in the top 10 in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix freestyle on May 30 and 31. 

In the Grand Prix, Peters claimed third place aboard Legolas 92 with a score of 75.78 percent, while Francis and Doktor placed eighth (70.60%). German powerhouse Isabell Werth topped that class with Don Johnson, scoring a 76.30 percent.

Then, in the Grand Prix freestyle, Francis flew the U.S. flag with sixth place (75.35%), relegating Peters and Legolas to seventh place (75.00%). That class also saw Swedish rider Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén take the blue over Werth. Silfvén rode Don Aurellio to a score of 82.47 percent. 

Silfvén was overjoyed with her victory. “We had a good ride and my horse was very relaxed. I think that was the most important thing,” was the winner’s modest statement.

Aged just 20, Sönke Rothenberger, who was the youngest in the field of the 15 competitors, also caused a stir. After the newcomer and Aachen debutant placed fourth in the Grand Prix aboard Favourit, the German rider and his Rhineland-bred gelding returned for the freestyle and placed third on a score of 77.37 percent. It was a result that the young dressage rider from Bad Homburg, who is also a successful show-jumper, hadn’t reckoned with: “If anyone would have told me beforehand that I would do so well in my first appearance in Aachen, I probably wouldn’t have believed him,” he said.

Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén on Don Aurellio. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Isabell Werth on Don Johnson. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Sönke Rothenberger on Favourit. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Steffen Peters on Legolas 92. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Doktor and Shelly Francis. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

And see more great photos from the Aachen dressage.