The Nine-Year-Olds Announcing their Arrival on World Scene in Aachen
These nine-year-olds came to Aachen for the experience but managed to be competitive and prove themselves among some of the world's best and most experienced equine athletes.
It is not unheard of to see horses dip their feet into the 5* level at the young age of nine. Still, this can often prove to be a big ask from these young horses. Over the past weekend in Aachen, we saw three nine-year-old take on this challenge with ease and grace. Not only did they produce clear rounds, but they also proved to be competitive among the world’s elite and beat the more experienced and more established horses in the sport.
Philipp Weishaupt & Zineday
Elo 687 | 6th highest-rated 9-year-old
Perhaps the most impressive achievement we have seen form a nine-year-old this weekend was produced by Philipp Weishaupt’s Zineday. The pair jumped a clear round in the RWE Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia but opted not to contest to jump-off to save the nine-year-old’s energy for the Rolex Grand Prix two days later. A decision that played in their favour. As the youngest horse in the Rolex Major Grand Prix of Aachen this year, Zineday produced one of just 5 double clear rounds to earn a place in the jump-off. With the fastest time but an unfortunate rail knocked, the pair completed an entire German podium. They beat strong contenders like Katanga v/h Dingeshof, Leone Jei and Ben 431, a feat that gave Zineday a 31 point boost in Elo.
Richard Vogel & Cepano Baloubet
Elo 712 | 1st highest-rated 9-year-old
Although Cepano Baloubet is just nine years old, we already know him as a Rolex Grand Prix winner in Wellington earlier this year. Over the past weekend in Aachen Richard Vogel’s chestnut gelding has proven that victory was no coincidence. Cepano Baloubet didn’t touch a pole throughout the week. In Friday’s 160 RWE Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia, the pair jumped one of 19 clears to reach the jump-off in which 16 combinations came forward. Richard and Cepano Baloubet produced a clear round in the jump-off in a time that seemed unbeatable until the last rider entered the ring, still finishing second in an extremely competitive class. The following day, the pair returned fighting in the 155 Allianz-Prize. The previous day’s events left them hungry for more and they were sure to leave no crumbs. With over 3 seconds of margin, the pair took a spectacular victory on home soil to close off their Aachen debut. These sensational successes gave Cepano Baloubet a rise of 36 Elo-points, which now put him largely ahead of the nine-year-old ranking.
Shane Sweetnam & Out of the Blue SCF
Elo 692 | 2nd highest-rated 9-year-old
While not competing in the 160 feature classes, Out of the Blue SCF proved competitive at at 150 level in Aachen last week. Being bred in the USA, this was the mare’s first outing on European soil. Ground that seems to sit well with her as she picked up three Top 12 placings. With Out of the Blue SCF, Shane Sweetnam has another young, upcoming star to add to his string. Last weekend’s achievements gave her a 25 point Elo-boost which makes her the joint second highest-rated nine-year-old in the world today, equal with Just Be Gentle.