Your Aachen Questions Answered
From the USA’s title chances to New Zealand’s dark horse potential, from team strategy to course design and elusive finishing scores, we’re tackling the seven questions every eventing fan wants answered before the weekend kicks off in Germany.
Aachen is always one of the most anticipated events on the eventing calendar — but this year, the stakes feel even higher. With the 2026 World Championships set to take place at this very venue, Aachen 2025 is more than just a team challenge — it’s a pressure test, a podium preview, and a chance for big names and rising stars to show they’re ready to lead the way.
With powerhouse nations reshuffling and new faces stepping up, the playing field feels more open than ever. So who’s best placed to take advantage of the opportunity, and what will it take to win in Aachen this year? Let’s dive into the big questions ahead of the weekend.
1. Is This Finally the US Team's Year?
The United States has been tantalisingly close to Aachen glory, finishing 2nd in three of the last four runnings. This year feels different. With Germany missing some of its biggest names—no Michael Jung, no Julia Krajewski, no Sandra Auffarth, and crucially, no fischerChipmunk FRH —the door is wide open. Great Britain, another dominant force at Aachen, have also opted to leave their top horses at home, likely saving them for the European Championships. This could be the USA’s best shot yet.
The American team arrive with serious firepower: Will Coleman returns with Off The Record, the 2021 Aachen winner who finished on a score of 30.5 for a High Performance Rating of 99—remarkably, only their fourth-highest rated performance together, showing just how impressive this partnership has been at the top level.
Boyd Martin lines up with Commando 3, fresh from a second-place finish at Kentucky, while Caroline Pamukcu brings HSH Blake, the highest-rated 10-year-old in the world, looking to rebound after a challenging Kentucky and Olympic Games. Phillip Dutton completes the team with Possante — a rising talent with three international podiums to their name, still hunting a first career win. He also competes Denim as an individual.
2. Can Anyone Finish on Their Dressage Score?
The statistics are stark: over the past 17 years, only 3% of riders have managed to finish on their dressage (FOD) score at Aachen. That is only 19 riders out of 661 of the world's best. The venue's reputation for drama is well-earned.
Recent years have been particularly difficult. From 2021-2023, not a single rider finished on their dressage score. Last year, Calvin Böckmann (The Phantom of the Opera) and Christopher Burton (Clever Louis) broke the trend and achieved this rare feat.
We’re not placing bets — but if anyone can pull it off, it might just be Caroline Harris and D. Day. Remarkably, they have gone two-for-two finishing on their dressage score this season at CCI4*-S level, making them genuine contenders for an FOD at Aachen.
Caroline Harris and D. Day's International Record This Year
| Competition | Class | Dressage Score | XC Penalties | SJ Penalties | Finishing Score | Final position |
| Bramham 2025 | CCI4*-S | 29.7 | 0 | 0 | 29.7 | 5th |
| Belsay 2025 | CCI4*-S | 32.4 | 0 | 0 | 32.4 | 8th |
The man who did it last year, Calvin Böckmann, is back too — this time with another FOD threat in Altair De La Cense. The pair have show jumped clear in all three of their 2025 runs, adding just a few time penalties cross country, averaging at only 2.3 across those outings.
Clavin Böckmann and Altair De La Cense's International Record This Year
| Competition | Class | Dressage Score | XC Penalties | SJ Penalties | Finishing Score | Final position |
| Luhmühlen | CCI4*-S | 35.1 | 2 | 0 | 37.1 | 5th |
| Baborowko | CCI4*-S | 33 | 4.8 | 0 | 37.8 | 2nd |
| Luhmühlen | CCI3*-S | 31.1 | 0 | 0 | 31.1 | 1st |
3. What About the British Team?
Great Britain arrives as betting favourites despite not sending their absolute A-team. The absence of their biggest guns is significant: London 52, the bronze individual medalist and three-time five-star winner who came third at Luhmühlen just a few weeks ago, isn't here. Missing too is Lordships Graffalo, the three-time five-star winner and second highest-rated horse in the world on Elo. It is likely that Britain's depth will show, but they may lack the star power to dominate without horses like London 52 or Lordships Graffalo in the mix.
Laura Collett's Dacapo leads the charge—a horse perfectly suited to Aachen's demands. While Laura has held the lead after dressage here on three occasions, the Aachen win so far eluded her. Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality bring solid five-star form with two recent top 5 placings, although questions remain about their ability to make the tight time on cross-country.
Aachen first-timer Bubby Upton lines up with Cannavaro, a horse who is back to competition this year after being off during 2024. Meanwhile, Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley arrive with a point to prove—recently named on the nominated entries list for Team GB at the Europeans, a strong showing here could be the performance that seals their selection.
4. Will We See Any Sub-20 Dressage Scores?
Unlikely. There has only been two sub-20 dressage scores in Aachen history and the current record stands at 19.6, set by Bettina Hoy and Ringwood Cockatoo in 2009. This year's field suggests we'll see leaders clustered around the mid-20s mark, making the competition incredibly tight heading into the speed and endurance phases.
Expect horses like Vitali, Brookfield Quality, Commando 3, Dacapo, and Lord Seekonig to lead the way after the first phase, all within striking distance of each other.
5. How Will the New Course Designer Change Things?
The cross country course designer this year is Giuseppe Della Chiesa, taking over from the long-time course designer Rüdiger Schwarz. Known from designing the 2022 World Championships at Pratoni, Della Chiesa brings fresh eyes to Aachen.
Since 2008, Aachen has had a historical average of 64% clear jumping rounds and just 7% of combinations making the time cross country. Giuseppe Della Chiesa is known for building tough time tests as seen at Pratoni, where only 13% made the optimum time. It is likely that Dell Chiesa will show his ability to use time penalties as a differentiator.
6. Can New Zealand Spring a Team Surprise?
The Kiwis haven’t topped the Aachen podium since their team win in 2018, and it’s been 15 years since Andrew Nicholson claimed New Zealand’s only individual victory. But this year, they arrive with a squad that blends seasoned experience with rising stars — and they may just have what it takes to challenge for both titles.
The 2025 lineup includes Sam Lissington with Lord Seekonig, Tim Price on Vitali, Clark Johnstone riding Rocket Man, and Jonelle Price with Hiarado. It’s a strong mix of proven championship riders and combinations gaining serious momentum.
Sam Lissington, in particular, looks poised for a breakthrough. She and Lord Seekonig delivered a 23.9 at Bicton CCI4*-S to finish second behind Laura Collett and London 52. This was their highest-rated performance together yet (HPR of 99) and Sam’s second best ever, just behind her 101-rated 2nd place at Luhmühlen 5*. No other combination in the Aachen field can match that level of recent form. Even teammate Tim Price and Vitali, who hold the lowest 6RA in the field at 25.7, will have their work cut out to match a score as low as 23.9.
Sam Lissington and Lord Seekonig's Recent Dressage Tests:
| Competition | Class | Dressage Score |
| Bicton 2025 | CCI4*-S | 23.9 |
| Badminton 2025 | CCI5*-L | 29.9 |
| Oudkarspel 2025 | CCI4*-S | 29.9 |
| Thoresby Park 2025 | CCI4*-S | 31 |
| Pau 2024 | CCI5*-L | 26.7 |
| Luhmühlen 2024 | CCI5*-L | 34.7 |
7. Who is going to win Aachen 2025?
Despite missing their top horses, Great Britain remains the favourite with a 55% team win chance, compared to the United States' 28%. While, New Zealand sits at 6% to win but has a strong 40% chance of reaching the podium.
For individual honors, the field is remarkably open. Laura Collett and Dacapo lead the EquiRatings Prediction Centre with a 16% win chance, followed closely by Tom McEwan (Brookfield Quality) and Gemma Stevens (Flash Cooley) both at 11%. The American challenge is led by Will Coleman and Off the Record at 10%, with Boyd Martin and Commando 3 at 9%.
Diarm's Individual Podium
- Sam Lissington (NZL) - Lord Seekonig
- Tim Price (NZL) - Vitali
- Boyd Martin (USA) - Commando 3
Nicole's Individual Podium
- Boyd Martin (USA) - Commando 3
- Laura Collett (GBR) - Dacapo
- Caroline Harris (GBR) - D. Day
The stage is set for an exciting Aachen competition. With traditional powerhouses missing key combinations and emerging nations fielding strong teams, this weekend could herald a changing of the guard in international eventing.
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