Aachen, 27. Juni 2008

CHIO Aachen 2008 kicks off with the vaulting competitions
The vaulters Kai Vorberg and Nicola Ströh dominate the scenes

The first day at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2008 (June 27th-July 6th), proved to be the day of the German vaulters - and thus that of the favourites. In 2008 the famous equestrian tournament is being staged over a period of ten days for the first time in 47 years and it kicked off with the vaulting competitions for the first time ever.

Kai Vorberg from Cologne dominated the individual men's competitions. With an overall score of 8.454 after the compulsory test and freestyle, the reigning Men's World Champion is currently holding first place with Picasso RS from Wintermühle, ahead of the Czech vaulter Petr Eim on Apollo 306 (8.204) and Daniel Kaiser on Merkur (Delitzsch, 8.111). For his new freestyle routine, which he only performed for the third time in Aachen, Vorberg has adapted the melody "Music" by John Miles into "Vaulting was my first love". "I am extremely satisfied considering that it is such a new routine," the 26-year-old commented. "It gets better every time - so it could indeed be perfect by Sunday." The crowd in the sold-out Albert-Vahle Arena could also make its contribution to this. "The atmosphere in Aachen releases more emotions even on the first day, than one experiences in the final round at other venues," remarked Vorberg.

In the ladies' individual classification, the vaulter from Hamburg, Nicola Ströh, Ladies' World Champion in 2004, third at the FEI World Equestrian Games Aachen 2006 and second at the CHIO last year, is also clearly in the lead with Lanson after the compulsory test and freestyle with a score of 8.220, ahead of Mary McCormick on Leonardo (USA, 8.072) and last year's winner and European Champion Sissi Jarz from Austria on Pitucelli (8.064). "It was a wonderfully successful day, even if the freestyle wasn't perfect. My horse wasn't relaxed and we really had to struggle," commented the 27-year-old, who had already announced her target in the run up to the event: to win in Aachen and at the imminent World Championships at the beginning of August in Brünn, the Czech Republic. "Of course there is strong competition at the CHIO, but my freestyle and technical routines are extremely demanding. If everything goes well, I should be able to take first place in the end."

At the CHIO Aachen the overall score in the individual classification is based on two rounds, first of all the scores from today's round comprising of the compulsory test and the freestyle in both the men's and ladies' competitions. Then, on Saturday things carry on with the freestyle starting at 10 a.m., followed by the technical test on Sunday (starting at 7.30 a.m).

In the Prize of the Sparkasse, team compulsory test, the World Champions from RSV i. Neuss-Grimlinghausen I are currently heading the field on Cepin with lunger Jessica Schmitz (7.602), ahead of the Vice-World Champions Face (USA, 7.533) and Lütisburg I (Switzerland, 7.176). "The conditions are excellent here in Aachen, it's great fun," the lunger Jessica Schmitz noted happily. "Cepin is in good shape and we only made two small errors. It is an absolute dream being able to compete in this arena, which makes it even more special to be lying in first place." Before the deciding freestyle on Saturday (beginning at 3 p.m., there are a few tickets left), Schmitz does however see good chances for the team currently lying in fifth place, the Wintermühle team of JRG Cologne (6.838). Furthermore, for the first time ever, a Nations' Cup in vaulting will be held at the CHIO Aachen 2008 on Sunday (2.45 p.m.).

Opening Hours ALRV previous to the CHIO 2008:
Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sat. 10 - 2 p.m.
Ticket-Hotline: +49-241-917-1111