2006 World Equestrian Games

The dressage arena situated in the middle of the famous Aachen show jumping arena.

A colourful Dutch supporter.

Australian dressage, rider, trainer, owner and fan, Jill Sinclair dons her wet weather gear.

German Team rider, Hubertus Schmidt took the early lead on the first day of the two day Grand Prix competition, scoring 69.20% riding the 13 year-old Hanoverian mare by Warkant, 'Wansuela Suerte'

The charming Lusitano stalion, 'Nostradamus Do Top' and his equally charming rider, Nuno Vicente do their best for Portugal.

Riding for France, Constance Menard is delighted with the reception from the crowd. Her Dutch mare, 'Lianca' by Tourist, has her sights set on the out gate.

Riding for Great Britain, Laura Bechtolsheimer was delighted with her Donnerhall gelding, 'Douglas Dorsey' for a score of 67.39%.

Matthew Dowsley and Claudia Harper's Carbid mare, 'Cinderella' were a class act for a score of 66.67%.

Matthew and 'Cinderella' look very pleased with themselves as they leave the arena to the cheers of the many Australians in the stands. Matthew quoted after the test; "to go that well in that atmosphere, I was just thrilled, and I think even my trainer (Ulla Salzgeber) was thrilled too. Cinderella is a princess. She rules the stable and everyone just does what she wants really, even me. I just ask her to do things nicely". They are in 11th place after day one and have a real chance to make it through to the Grand Prix Special. (30 make it through).

Just a small section of the Australian dressage fans at Aachen.

US combination, Leslie Morse and the Swedish stallion by Master began very impressively, but their work fell away somewhat as the test progressed for a score of 64.20%

Japanese rider, Toshihiko Kiso rode the Westphalian gelding, 'Esko' 10 to score 56.6% in the Grand Prix.

One of the photographers pens on the main arena.

One of the popular Spanish Team members, Lose Ignacio Lopez Porras executes a lovely half pass with the Andalusian stallion, 'Nevado Santa Clara' for a score of 65.85%.

Switzerland's Marie-Line Wettstein is pleased with her Lauries Crusader xx gelding, 'Le Primeur' who scored 66.54%.

Danish rider, Nathalie Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein with her nine year-old Donnerhall gelding, 'Digby'. They scored 66.08%.

Part of the elaborate decoration on the main arena.

Sweden's Tinne VIlhelmson is delighted with the 70.3% she scored with her Danish Warmblood by Castro, 'Solos Carex'. They are in third place after the first day of competition.

What a class act! Gemany's Heike Kemmer really raised the bar of competition with her sensational Bon Bonaparte gelding 'Bonaparte'. They scoerd five eights for their one tempi changes and Heike even had time to give him a pat after them. It is really quite an emotional experience to see such a performance and fortunatly we will see more of them. Their score a justly rewarded 75.79%.

L-R Three well-known Australian dressage personalities, Judy Dierks, Lyndal Oatley and Sandy Oatley enjoy the first Grand Prix day.

More boots and if these don't make you get the Parade Gloss out, nothing will.

The Endurance Individual Medalists. L-R Bronze, Elodie Le Labourier (France), Gold, Miguel Vila Ubach (Spain) and SIlver, Virginie Atger (France).

The Endurance Team Medal presentation. Gold, France, SIlver, Switzerland and Bronze, Portugal.

The French also claimed the Best Conditioned Horse Award. Pictured here, 'Hifrane du Barthas' with her rider, Pascale Dietsch.

Very sadly for Australian, Kelly Layne retired her Australian Team horse, 'Amoucheur' a third the way through the Grand Prix test. The highly strung gelding was upet by the Endurance presentation and never settled in the ring.

Mexican Individual, Bernadette Pujals and her Weltmeyer stallion, 'Vincent', really put their best foot forward for a super score of 70% and provisional fourth place after day one. Bernadette who comes from Spain and married a Mexican, trains in Europe.

American Team Rider, Gunter Seidel rode the attractive 'Aragon' for a score of 69.79% to see the USA in provisional fourth place after the first day of the Grand Prix Team competition.

Italy's Anna Paprocka-Campanella rode her Hanovarian Gelding, 'Andretti II' by Aarking to be in 20th place after day one of the Grand Prix dressage competition.

The Spanish riders are always popular. Here Juan Antonio Jimenez salutes the crowd as he makes his exit riding the Andalusian stallion, 'Guizo'. They are in provisional 16th place after day one and the Spanish Team in ninth place.

Last to go on day one, Imke Schellekens-Bartels rode her lovely mare, 'Sunrise' by SIngular Joker for a score of 71.54% and provisional second place. The Dutch Team are in second place behind the Germans after the first day of competition.