In the battle of the sexes at the CHIO in Aachen it was the men who were the victors, just like last year. The male riders defeated the ladies in the "Best of Champions" competition. The winners included the Olympic gold medalist, Steve Guerdat (SUI) with Qui Vive De La Tour, Kent Farrington (USA) with Blue Angel, German riders Marcus Ehning with Comme Il Faut and Ludger Beerbaum with Carinou. The European Champion Ben Maher (GBR) with Diva II as well as his team colleague Scott Brash with Hello Sunshine also took part. The ladies were represented by Katrin Eckermann (GER), Janika Sprunger (SUI), Reed Kessler (USA), Katherina Offel (UKR), Luciana Diniz (POR) and Penelope Leprevost (FRA). After a first round in the normal mode (faults / time), both teams rode head-to-head over two identical courses. Reed Kessler was eliminated in the first round, which meant that Scott Brash did not compete in the second round either, so five pairs rode in the head-to-head. The men already managed to secure a clear lead in the first round, which they defended comfortably into the second round.
