The upcoming CHIO Aachen Grand Prix could become a historic date for international show jumping. The German rider Marcus Ehning will have the opportunity to equal the record for victories in the Aachen Grand Prix, currently held by the Italian Piero D’Inzeo and the Briton Nick Skelton, both with four triumphs.
Ehning, a three-time winner of the prestigious Grand Prix, will be looking this year to reach a legendary figure and, furthermore, become the first German rider to conquer the CHIO Aachen masterclass four times.
The German won for the first time in 2006 alongside Nolte's Küchen. Twelve years later, in 2018, he lifted the trophy again with Pret A Tout, whilst his third success came in 2023 riding Stargold.
To date, only five riders have managed to win the Aachen Grand Prix three times, all of them German, but Ehning will be the only one from that select group present at this year's edition, which heightens anticipation for a potential historic record.
The bar was set by two absolute legends of international show jumping. Piero D’Inzeo conquered Aachen in 1952 with Uruguay, in 1959 and 1961 with The Rock, and in 1965 with Bally Black. Decades later, Nick Skelton equalled the record thanks to his victories in 1982 with Everest If Ever, in 1987 and 1988 with Raffles Apollo, and in 2013 with the unforgettable Big Star.
Now, more than a decade after Skelton's last triumph, Marcus Ehning has the opportunity to write a new page in the history of CHIO Aachen and firmly establish himself among the great legends of the German show.
Ehning will take part in this year's edition, which begins next Friday, with Coolio 42 and Priam du Roset. Two horses with which he heads to the legendary Aachen arena with a single objective: to become the first German to win the Aachen Grand Prix on four occasions.
