2006 World Equestrian Games

Another of the many interesting trade stands, this one with wonderful horse prints.

It may be a little poitically incorrect for Australia, but this pipe and cigar shop/trade stand was popular.

Australian Team member,Clayton Fredericks warmed up well for his dressage test today. Riding 'Ben Along Time' Clayton is in seventh place on 44.4 after the dressage phase.

It is hard to imagine that there is a horse underneath. South African, Cara Frew performs her Individual Vaulting routine.

It is quite amazing what these girls can do on horseback. Czech Vaulter, Michaela Andrlikova performs her Individual routine.

Australian Vaulter, Kayla Brewer in full flight during her Individual Vaulting routine.

Australian Individuals, Shane Rose and 'All Luck' produced a good dressage test for a score of 52.40. The judges were not quite in unison with Shane and the Thoroughbred by Bao Luck, as US judge, Brian Ross has them in equal 26th place, Angels Tuker (GB) 17th and Greman, Martin Plewa had them in ninth place. Tomorrow of course, the judging is objective.

Lucinda and Ellie Fredericks watch the Eventing Dressage with great interest. Clayton Fredericks in a member of the Aistralian Team with his 2005 World Cup winner, 'Ben Along Time'.

Australian Eventing Team Coach, Wayne Roycroft looks quite pleased with proceedings so far.

Russian Rider, Alexandra Korelova with 'the charming, 'Balagur' just made it through to the 30 strong Grand Prix Special field and she was delighted with the grey 16 year-old stallion that was so shy at the trot up.

This may well be the last big tournament for Spain's legandary Andalusian stallion, 'Invasor'. The popular 17 year old and his rider, Rafel Soto Andrade were not permitted (by the spectators) to leave the arena without a demonstration of their trademark Spanish Walk.

Matthew Dowsley thought Cinderella not quite as good as she was for the Grand Prix, but they displayed great potential and demonstrated a softness and ease and presence not seen in many other horses.The 10 year-old mare applied herself to her work and demonstrated a lovely big elastic trot. The difficult Special test was marred by a few mistakes in the temii changes. They scored 65.20% and finished in 29 place.

Australian dressage fans 'bringing in the jumbos'.

France's Dominique D'Esme and her Danish Warmblood, 'Roi de Coeur GDF'.

As expected, German Team Member, Bettina Hoy shot to the head of the Eventing Dressage leader board riding Frederick and Mary Davidson's 'Ringwood Cockatoo'. Here Bettina congratulates Cocatoo for his winning 36.50 test.

Some fancy hand bags!

Switzerland's Silvia Ikle was thrilled with her Sinclair gelding, 'Salieri'. They took sixth place in the Grand Prix Special with 73.72%.

Australia's Mary Seefried was the judge at H for the Grand Prix Special.

Victoria Max-Theurer and the Feiner Stern gelding, 'Falcao' from Austria finished the Grand Prix Special in 29th place with 65.24%

Tinne Vilhelmson from Swedwn rode the Danish Warmblood gelding by Castro, 'Solos Carex' to finish the Grand Prix Special in 20th place with 67.96%.

Around they go. Australian Team member, Kristy Oatley and 'Quando Quando' mid pirouette, did very well to finish the Grand Prix Special in 18th place.

New Zealand EventingTeam Member, Andrew Nicholson rode 'Lord Killinghurst' to be in 19th place on 49.60 after the dressage phase. The New Zealand Team are fifth after the first phase of the Three Day Event.

Hats off the Hoy. Andrew Hoy, the anchorman of the Australian Team, produced a strong team derssage test for a score of 47.60 and 19th place riding the 15 year-old Master Monarch.

New Zealand Chef d' Equipe, Blyth Tait.

Italian Team rider, Susanna Bordone riders the ex Stuart Tinney horse, 'Carrera'. The mare by Contango scored 48.90 for 17th place after the dressage phase.

The second of the two German girls on greys, Ingrid Klimke as expected produced the goods with her experienced Thoroughbred gelding, 'Sleep Late'. They are in second place on 39.10 after the dressage phase.

The German fans cheer on their Team which is in first place after the dressage phase.with 122.5 penalties.

Anky van Grunsvren and 'Keltec Salinero' produced a super test for 77.80 in the Grand Prix Special. There had been talk that Salinero has difficulties with the halt and this was so today. He did not maintain either halt and it was this that cost him the Championship.

Isabell Werth is thrilled with 'Satchmo' who really produced his best. Isabelle described it as the "best ever test with 'Satchmo. I could ride for myself today and the misture was perfect, he is the best horse I have ridden". They won the Grand Prix Special Championship and with it its own set of individual medals with a whopping 79.48%.

You are looking at the new star of International Dressage. The Danish rider, 28 year-old, Andreas Helgstrand rode the beautiful nine-year-old mare by Blue hors Silver Moon, 'Blue Hors Matine' to come from behind to win the Grand Prix with 76.33%. And today in the very demanding Grand Prix Special, this exciting and harmonious combination took the Bronze medal with 76.56%.

If you come to Aachen, you come prepared.

Isabell Werth had every reason to be very emotional during the Medal ceremony. World Grand Prix Special Champion in front of a 48.000 strong home crowd; who whould not get emotional. Also this was the biggest crowd ever to watch international dressage. Commentator, Christoph Hess stated that he "was sorry for all those people who were not here to witness such a competition".

The new crowd pleaser, Andreas Helgstrand and 'Blue Hors Matine'.

As 'Salinero' virtually bolted during the Team lap of honour, Anky chose to do her Silver medal lap on foot, much to the delight of the crowd.

If you look at the roof of this judging gazebo, you will see the WEG live video streaming camera. Just go to http://www.aachen2006.de/accom_video_e.htm and you can watch the action live!