Aachen, 04. July 2008

Christine Liebherr wins the RWE Prize of North Rhine Westphalia
Miranda taken to hospital after a fall - all-clear from the doctors

She risked everything and virtually flew round the course with her 13-year-old gelding L.B. No Mercy: Christina Liebherr triumphed in the RWE Prize of North Rhine Westphalia with a clear round in 44.05 seconds. Second place went to an overjoyed Marcus Ehning on Noltes Küchengirl (45.95 seconds), followed by the Norwegian rider Tony André on Camiro, who completed the course in 49.98 seconds. So the victory at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2008 went to Switzerland.

I knew some good riders were going to compete after me, so I had to ride fast," Christina Liebherr reported. "I had my horse well under control and she didn't storm away after the jumps." Liebherr didn't ride in the Nations' Cup yesterday. "Our National Coach wanted to see some other pairs. However, after our good performance in St. Gallen we are already almost certainly qualified for the team in Hong Kong," the Swiss rider explained. The whole crowd was behind Marcus Ehning. The spectators were thrilled about Noltes Küchengirl's clear round and applauded wildly. "Küchengirl had a very successful winter season, then after a short break, she jumped really well at recent shows and at the German Championships," said Marcus Ehning happily.

The Norwegian rider Tony André Hansen, who rode his top horse the Holstein gelding Camiro secured himself third place. He rode at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen in 2006 and at the CHIO last year. "We are on our way to the Olympic Games."

The all-clear was given for the Brazilian rider Alvaro Miranda after his fall today. After being diagnosed as having a "sprained his ankle", he is already on his way back to the show grounds. They missed out one canter stride and the outcome was devastating: Alvaro Miranda crashed into an oxer with his horse Ad Ornella at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2008 - the horse's bridle came off, Miranda got his feet caught in the stirrups and was dragged behind the horse for several metres. Eventually, the people that ran to his aid were able to catch the Holstein mare. Miranda was taken to hospital in an ambulance. He was conscious, but complained about sharp pains in his legs.

"We ran through the procedure in the event of such situations several times in the run-up to the World Equestrian Games. Unfortunately, we can do no more than that. Of course one always hopes that incidents like this don't happen," commented Frank Kemperman, Show Director of the CHIO Aachen. The RWE Prize of North Rhine Westphalia was resumed.

Opening hours of the CHIO Aachen 2008 ticket sales:
Friday, 04.07.2008 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, 05.07.2008 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, 06.07.2008 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ticket hotline: +49-(0)241-917-1111