TEAM USA SECURE THEIR 7TH NATIONS CUP WIN AT CHIO AACHEN 2025

For the seventh time in the history of the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup, the United States national anthem was played to celebrate victory at CHIO Aachen.

With a total of just 4 faults, the USA edged out Belgium (8 faults) and Great Britain (10 faults). After the first round, Germany still had all options available. However, several issues arose during the second round. By the end of the competition, Otto Becker’s team—comprising Christian Kukuk with Cepano Baloubet (0/13), Hans-Dieter Dreher with Elysium (4/0), Sophie Hinners with Iron Dames Combella (8/11), and Jana Wargers with Dorette OLD, who managed a double clear—finished in fourth place with a total of 15 faults.

MECCA OF THE SHOWJUMPING SPORT:

Lillie Keenan also rode double clear aboard her 15-year-old Mylord Carthago stallion, Argan de Beliard. She emerged as the hero of the victorious US team’s evening. At just 28 years old, she was her team’s first rider to go and laid the groundwork for their success with her flawless rounds. The remaining faults were evenly distributed among her teammates: Kent Farrington and Toulayna both jumped clear in the first round but carried 4r faults in the second. Laura Kraut with Bisquetta and McLain Ward with Imperial HBF each had 4 faults as well in the first round but jumped clear in the second.

Chef d’équipe Robert Ridland, with a bright smile, stated, “Aachen is essentially the Mecca of showjumping for us. Choosing the team was straightforward—I simply looked at the rankings. All of them are within the top 5. I don’t need to say more. That’s our goal.” His approach to success was uncomplicated: “Keep the jumps intact and avoid falling at the water fence.”

That’s exactly what they did. Given that the American riders have already secured 4 wins over the past 3 days, including 2 prestigious classes, their competitors will need to give it their all to surpass them.

McLain Ward, who secured his second gold rosette today following his STAWAG-Prize win, summarised his feelings: “For me, this is sacred ground; it’s the pinnacle of the sport. The atmosphere and the spectators are unmatched. It’s always an honour to win here. I’ve been part of two winning Nation Cup teams, but then we experienced a bit of a drought, so it’s truly special to be in this position now.”

After winning the STAWAG-Prize, Ward also expressed his ambitions: “This is the year we’re finally going to win the Rolex Grand Prix!” and hopes to have his name engraved on the Winners’ Board—a milestone in his career that remains on his bucket list. His focus is firmly set on this goal.

He humorously mentioned, “I always joke that Aachen is like a girl I never managed to ask out. I was too shy to say anything. But now, I think this is my chance. Sunday is mine.”

PROUD TO COME SECOND:

Peter Weinberg, Chef d‘équipe of the Belgian team confirmed: “It was an unbelievable evening, we came quite close at the end. But the Americans were fantastic. Our team is a super troop and we are very proud to have come second’’. His A-team comprised of Jos Verlooy with Parise van den Dael (4/8), Emilie Conter with Portobella van de Fruitkorf (0/4), Abdel Said with Bonne Amie (18/0) and Gregory Wathelet with Bond Jamesbond de Hay (0/0).

The British team that has made the winners’ podium 3 times consecutively and came third for the second time, took it with dignity: “We will keep on trying,” the Chef d ‘équipe, Di Lampard, said. She particularly praised the Aachen debutant, Georgia Tame, who only clocked up time faults with Be Golden Lynx in both rounds. “What a performance!” Her further three team members were Ben Maher with Dallas Vegas Batilly, who jumped double clear, Robert Whitaker with Vermento (8/9) and Scott Brash with Hello Jefferson (8/0).

SIMPLY THANK YOU!

ALRV Board Member and CHIO Aachen Head of Sport, Birgit Rosenberg commented “We can only set the stage, but then it is down to you riders. Thank you for the sport and thank you to the spectators! It was a fantastic night!”

--ENDS--

Edited by HT

See full results here

See CHIO Aachen archives for previous Nations Cup winners here