Paige Zimmerman
Day One at the CHIO Aachen:
After two days of travel, today was our first day visiting the iconic Aachen showgrounds! We were lucky to be the first people in line to enter the showgrounds at 8 AM, so we were able to take our time exploring and spectating. Upon arrival, I was immediately mesmerized. As soon as you walk in, your senses perk up to the sights, smells, and sounds of a horse show. It’s truly not like any other show, though, at least no other one that I’ve been to. The closest thing that Aachen reminds me of is Devon, but on a much larger and more electric scale. The rings are all immaculate and the landscaping is beautiful, and the environment is very welcoming, but it feels very, very special. Aachen is definitely a place to revere! There’s palpable excitement in the air, even though all the riders that we watched school in the morning seemed to be calm, collected, and focused, as were the horses.
We met with several people today, including Ali Brock; Swedish team vet Dr. Johan Lenz; Director at the German National Training Center in Warendorf, Markus Scharmann; and Eurodressage owner/operator Astrid Appels! Meeting such a wide range of professionals right on the first day of our visit was very interesting, since we could then watch the rides and warmups while recalling what we’d discussed with each person. Speaking to all these people who have slightly different roles in horse sport was also eye-opening, especially since each one sees horse sport through a different lens than the other, but their ideas and thoughts often overlap.
For example, a big piece of advice that they all gave to us (perhaps in slightly different wording with each person) is to remain authentic to ourselves and to our horses, to take a horse-first approach in training, and to remain curious about the training process and work to truly understand the ‘why’ to every aid. Being able to get deep into the weeds about the training process and understand how it all works, plus understanding the ultimate goals, is healthy for horse, rider, and for horse sport as a whole.
We discussed with each person where they think the sport is headed, and what they would change about it if they could. A common answer amongst them is that harmony and welfare are on the minds of every single stakeholder in equestrian sport. The judging is changing, the rules are changing, and the metaphorical pendulum is going to swing back and forth a bit before it settles and horse sport finds a better place in terms of promoting welfare, harmony, and shining a brighter spotlight on the inherent benefits of excellent riding (for the horse both mentally and physically, as well as creating that special relationship between horse and rider).
It’s important to be true to ourselves and true to our horses so that we can be ahead of the game and prepared to analyze our own riding, seek to improve as we gather more information, and learn to help our horses become the best they can be. This is all a part of the journey of dressage, but especially now as the sport is approaching a turning point and the ground shifts below our feet.
Day Two:
We spent most of our second day at the Aachen showgrounds watching the CDI5* Nations Cup Grand Prix class with our chaperones, JJ Tate and Richard Malmgren. The class was full of fascinating rides and inspiring moments, but one test that particularly stood out was Belgian rider Justin Verboomen’s ride on the stallion Zonik Plus. The entire ride was massively powerful, balanced, and right on the knife’s edge of too much—yet it never tipped over. It was a brilliant example of harmonious riding that maintained tremendous power without any negative tension.
The test was filled with solid 8s, and the horse looked like an incredibly willing and happy partner. You could clearly see the strong connection between Justin and Zonik; they worked seamlessly together. Moments like that make you feel inspired and proud to be part of the dressage world. After his final salute, the crowd erupted—the loudest cheers of the day by far. And when the score came up, showing he had narrowly missed beating the German rider in first place, the crowd actually groaned! That has to be the mark of a truly excellent ride—when even the German audience wishes the Belgian rider had won.
Zonik Plus is still quite young, so it will be very exciting to watch his development over the coming years and see how Justin manages him as they continue their Grand Prix career.
One especially insightful moment from today came during our meeting with Christine Traurig, U.S. Team Technical Advisor and Development Coach. A quote from her that really resonated with me was: “Riding is equestrian academic knowledge implemented with common sense and feel.”
I thought this was such a fantastic way to describe all facets of equestrian sport. It highlights the complexity of what we do: understanding the theory behind training, developing the physical skills needed to apply that knowledge, and cultivating the feel necessary for true harmony with the horse. These elements must all work together, and as riders, we’re always striving toward that elusive balance.
That quote has stayed with me because it perfectly sums up what riding is all about. And what I especially appreciated is that it’s not just dressage-specific—it applies to all types of horse training. Christine shared many great insights, but that line has been echoing in my mind ever since our conversation. It’s simple, yet all-encompassing.
I really enjoyed speaking with her; she was open, engaging, and incredibly generous with her knowledge from the very beginning of our discussion.
Chatting with Christine Traurig
Day Three:
Coming soon!
Day Four:
Coming soon!
Day Five:
Coming soon!
