“I am in good form, Ben is in good form,” revealed Gerrit Nieberg (GER), with a grin. So, the mission is clear: “to defend the title”. Competing as a total outsider last year, the 30-year-old is the centre of attention three days before the CHIO Aachen begins. The German rider is facing tough competition on his way to eternalising his name on the legendary winners’ board again, though.
All eyes will particularly be cast on McLain Ward on the concluding Sunday. And there is a good, historical reason for that: After his victories at the “CHI Geneva” and at “The Dutch Masters”, Ward is travelling to Aachen as the contender for the “Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping”. Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of this prestigious series, which experienced its debut at the Aachen Soers in 2013, the US American has the chance to win the most coveted trophy of the international equestrian sport, as the second rider ever.
To pull off this feat he has to win the Rolex Grand Prix that is endowed with 1.5 million Euros – whereby the two Swiss top stars, Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat, also want to have a say in the matter. The same is true of the Olympic gold medallist Maher (GBR), Simon Delestre from France and the German show-jumper, Daniel Deußer.
Source: CHIO Aachen