Germans Can't Be Beat, But U.S. Show Jumpers Hold On For Silver In Aachen Nations Cup

Aachen, Germany—July 20

A standout German team claimed the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup at the CHIO Aachen in grand style, with a faultless performance.

The German team celebrated their Mercedes Benz Nations Cup win in front of a home crowd. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

The Hermès U.S. team lingered near the bottom of the pack after Round 1, with 8 faults, but Kent Farrington, Laura Kraut and McLain Ward all jumped clean in Round 2 to vault the team up to a tie for second place with Switzerland after Beezie Madden’s second score of 8 on Coach was dropped. “What we saw here today was sport at the very highest level. It doesn’t get any better than that. And it is an honor for us to be able to compete here!” said U.S. chef d’equipe Robert Ridland.

McLain Ward and HH Azur anchored the U.S. effort with two clear rounds to help them tie for second. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Otto Becker’s German team finished on a score of 0, proving unbeatable. Today, Becker had placed his bets on three experienced pairs—Marcus Ehning with Pret A Tout, Philipp Weishaupt and LB Convall, and Marco Kutscher with Clenur—and one youngster: Maurice Tebbel, just 23 years old. Tebbel’s horse, Chacco‘s Son, was also only 10. But they were heralded as the heroes of Aachen—double clear in their first Nations Cup appearance at the Soers! They didn’t even come anywhere near to touching a pole. It was as if Chacco’s Son, knew what was at stake.

Serving on his first German Nations Cup team at Aachen, the young Rene Tebbel jumped two clean rounds aboard Chacco’s Son to help the Germans take the win. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

The national coach’s strategy paid off. “It is simply incredible,” he said, delighted. “I am so proud of the team! Winning here in Aachen is simply something special. And when Maurice delivered his second clear round, I almost had to wipe a tear away.”

It was an emotional evening in Aachen—particularly for Tebbel too. He already threw his arms up in the air after the first round and then around Chacco’s Son’s neck. “Of course, one dreams about it happening, but when things really go that well, it is simply indescribable,” Tebbel said.

Tebbel, son of former German team rider Rene Tebbel, evidently couldn’t really believe what had just happened, especially since he only had one thought while walking the course: “Big!” Tebbel was thrilled to have a horse like Chacco’s Son in such a situation, he said with respect for his four-legged partner. The two of them know each other inside out. The stallion came to the Tebbels as a foal. Maurice presented him at the stallion grading himself and gradually introduced him to the top sport after riding him in young horse competitions. They already took part in the big tour in Aachen last year and immediately claimed second place in the Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Now he was sat on the podium in the press conference of the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup, sat next to his role model, Marcus Ehning, as a teammate. He couldn’t hope for more. Except for perhaps on Sunday, when he will do his best to win the Rolex Grand Prix.

Ehning was no less overjoyed about his double clear with Pret A Tout. It was a “perfect day all-round” for Philipp Weishaupt too—it was namely also his birthday. His comment: “This victory is the best birthday present ever!” He had probably never heard 40,000 people sing “Happy Birthday” for him before as they did today, after he had jumped clear for the second time and thus secured the victory for Germany. Moreover, his fantastic L.B. Convall looked like he could definitely repeat last year’s victory in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen.

Philipp Weishaupt was ecstatic with his second clean round aboard L.B. Convall, which clinched the German win. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

The only German rider things didn’t go well for was Marco Kutscher with Clenur. In addition to picking up faults in the first round, his horse also refused at the water jump. Kutscher took it with humor: “I have thank my team colleagues today, my job today was to make the whole thing a little more exciting!” he said.

See full results of the Mercedes Benz Nations Cup.

IMPORTANT LINKS: What You Need To Know | Schedule | Live Results | Direct link to Aachen stream on ClipMyHorse.tv | Aachen’s main site