DOUBLE GOLD FOR NZ AT AACHEN

Double Gold for New Zealand at Aachen

 
New Zealand eventers have scored an historic double victory at Aachen CHIO in Germany, one of the toughest and most admired events in the world, finishing with four Kiwis in the top 10.
Individual winner Tim Price and Vitali (30.5 penalty points) led through all three phases for his first-ever victory at Aachen, with Monica Spencer aboard Artist (37.2) sixth, Clarke Johnstone on Rocket Man (40.8) ninth and individual rider Jonelle Price with Hiarado (41.3) 10th. Samantha Lissington and Lord Seekonig (51.7) were 22nd.
It looked like the Nations’ Cup was going the way of always strong Brits, who have etched their names on UBS Cup multiple times in recent years. But the Kiwis dug deep, held their nerve and took the win by 8.7 penalty points from the United States in second and Great Britain a further 16.9 penalty points back in third.
Monica and Artist, who travelled from their US base for the event, set the scene with a smoking cross country round coming home clear and their .4 time penalties was the best effort of the entire field today over a very challenging Giuseppe Dela Chiesa (ITA) designed course.
Tim, Monica, Clarke and Jonelle were all clear jumping, adding just time.
Tim has previously been third and twice fourth at Aachen as well as being on the New Zealand team that won in 2018, alongside Clarke, Blyth Tait and Sir Mark Todd. Today’s victory is just the second time New Zealand has won the Nations’ Cup at Aachen.
He felt the showjumping, which had sometimes been a challenging phase for 15-year-old Vitali, had this time opened the door to victory for him.
“He has always been a very good cross country horse and was super today. I am absolutely thrilled for the team,” said Tim.
The individual win had been a bonus, with the team effort the main focus. “Go team New Zealand! I am really happy.”
ESNZ general manager of high performance, Jock Paget, was thrilled with all five combinations. Aachen had been a key target for the year and an important event given it will host the 2026 World Championships.
“To pull it off in this way is amazing,” said Jock. “Aachen is a hard place to do well.
There was a huge amount of pressure with a very tough (cross country) course and the time wasn’t achievable today but they all went out there and rode really competitively. They took a lot of risks, rode skilfully and got the job done. To have four New Zealanders in the top 10 at Aachen is amazing and to win double gold too.
“Aachen to us is like our European championships – we don’t have one but we treat it like that. It was the biggest target for us this year. There are Nations’ Cups and then there is Aachen. This was the pin in the map for us this year.”
He praised all those who were behind the horses and riders, including grooms, coaches and owners.
 
WHAT: CHIO Aachen
WHEN: June 27-July 6, 2025 – eventing July 4-5
WHERE: Aachen, Germany
MORE INFO: https://www.chioaachen.de/en/
RESULTS: https://www.rechenstelle.de/de/veranstaltungen/2025/aachen/

The horse details –
 
Rocket Man – Diacontinus x For You who (sire For Pleasure), owned by Jean and Rob Johnstone
Hiarado – Diarado x Ubiloa (sire Ekstein), owned by David and Karie Thomson
Artist - Guillotine x Maxamore (sire Volksraad), owned by Spencer Eventing
Lord Seekonig – Lord Fauntleroy x Seekoenigin (sire Carpalo), owned by Sharon Honiss, Annabelle and Robin Greville Williams, Neil Robertson and Brayden Lissington
Vitali – Contender x Noble Lady I (sire Heraldik), owned by Joe and Alexander Giannamore and Tim Price