EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

Dressage is done in Aachen, and after 87 combinations, the World Championship could hardly be better poised heading into cross country.
Nicole, Annie and Brayden look back on a brilliant two days of sport, with Julia Krajewski and Uelzener's Nickel taking everyone by surprise to lead on 22.0 ahead of Laura Collett and London 52. There are standout performances from Austin O'Connor and Colorado Blue, Tamie Smith and Lillet 3, and Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos, while the team competition could not be tighter. Great Britain lead Germany by just 0.8 penalties, with France and New Zealand separated by only 0.3 behind them.
Then it's all eyes on Saturday.
Course designer Giuseppe della Chiesa joins Nicole to take us inside a championship track with almost 80 fences on the ground, multiple routes and very different ways of getting home. He explains where the intensity builds, why riders will need to know every option and why he thinks only around five combinations could make the optimum time.
Plus, Annie brings us reaction straight from the mixed zone as the riders reflect on their tests and turn their attention to a course being described as big, technical and seriously influential.
Highlights • Julia Krajewski and Uelzener's Nickel take the lead on 22.0 • Laura Collett and London 52 deliver under pressure • Austin O'Connor and Colorado Blue produce their best championship test • Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 impress on their championship debut • Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos put themselves right in contention • Less than a second separates Great Britain and Germany • Giuseppe della Chiesa takes us inside his Aachen cross country course • Why Saturday could turn the leaderboard upside down • Rider reaction ahead of cross country
The Aachen Diaries are powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.
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Connolly's RED MILLS More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the highest levels of performance. Explore RED MILLS
Horseware Ireland Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward for more than 40 years. Explore Horseware Ireland
Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Aachen Diaries all week for stories, insight and everything happening from the heart of the World Championships.

The first day of eventing dressage is in the books at Aachen and we have our first World Championship scores on the board.
Nicole catches up with European Champion and Olympic medallist Tina Cook after a full day watching from the stands. They break down the tests that caught their eye, a strong start for the Kiwis and what we might see when some of the biggest names in the field head down the centre line on Friday.
We also hear the story behind Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley from his owner Pru Dawes. Twenty years after watching the 2006 Aachen World Championships on repeat as an 11-year-old, Pru is back with her own horse representing Great Britain. She talks about the journey that brought them here, her friendship with Gemma and what it means to see a horse she has loved since he was four on this stage.
Plus, Annie heads into the mix zone for immediate post-test reaction from riders including Sophia Hill, Phillip Dutton, Sam Lissington, Ian Cassells and Jessica Phoenix, before joining Nicole to look ahead to a huge Friday of dressage.
With JL Dublin setting the early standard and fischerChipmunk, London 52 and Lordships Graffalo still to come, just how low could those scores go?
Highlights
• Tina Cook's take on day one of dressage
• A strong opening day for New Zealand
• The tests and horses that caught the eye
• Pru Dawes on the story behind Flash Cooley
• Rider reaction straight from the mix zone
• The new championship dressage test and the challenges it created
• How low could the scores go on Friday?
• fischerChipmunk, London 52 and Lordships Graffalo still to come
The Aachen Diaries are powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.
FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips
Developed by veterinarians and backed by research, FLAIR Strips support the nasal passages to help horses breathe easier during exercise.
Discover FLAIR
Foran Equine
Scientifically formulated supplements designed to support equine health, performance and recovery, produced to pharmaceutical-grade standards in Ireland.
Explore Foran Equine
Carr & Day & Martin
Caring for horses since 1765, Carr & Day & Martin combines centuries of experience with trusted products across coat, hoof, leather and horse care.
Explore Carr & Day & Martin
Connolly's RED MILLS
More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the very highest levels of performance.
Explore RED MILLS
Horseware Ireland
Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward for more than 40 years.
Explore Horseware Ireland
Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Aachen Diaries all week for stories, insight and everything happening from the heart of the World Championships.

The horses are here, the course has been walked and the World Championships are underway in Aachen.
Nicole is joined by owner Pete Cattell from the heart of the action to talk about what it means to have a horse representing Ireland at a championship like this, the strength of the teams lining up and a cross country course that could have a huge say in who leaves Aachen with a medal.
We also get a first look at some of the biggest names of the week, with fischerChipmunk, London 52, Lordships Graffalo and JL Dublin all catching the eye. Nicole catches up with Tilly Hughes and Adam Short, the grooms behind two of the championship favourites, to hear how London 52 and JL Dublin have settled in and what life inside the British camp looks like ahead of the competition.
Plus, Brayden Lissington takes us inside the New Zealand camp as Sam Lissington prepares to compete as an individual with Lord Seekonig, Eventing Manager teams are being locked in and there are plenty of podium predictions flying around.
Highlights
• First impressions of the Aachen cross country course
• Why time could be so influential on Saturday
• The championship favourites looking ready to go
• Inside the British camp with Tilly Hughes and Adam Short
• Pete Cattell on having MGH Zabaione at a World Championship
• Brayden Lissington on Sam and the New Zealand camp
• Team and individual podium predictions
• The race to become Eventing Manager World Champion
Guests
Pete Cattell is a longtime event horse owner whose horses have competed at the highest level of the sport. He is at Aachen with MGH Zabaione, ridden by Pádraig McCarthy for Ireland.
Tilly Hughes is the groom of Laura Collett's London 52.
Adam Short is the groom of Tom McEwen's JL Dublin.
Brayden Lissington joins us from inside the New Zealand camp, where Sam Lissington is competing as an individual with Lord Seekonig.
The Aachen Diaries are powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.
FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips
Developed by veterinarians and backed by research, FLAIR Strips support the nasal passages to help horses breathe easier during exercise.
Discover FLAIR
Foran Equine
Scientifically formulated supplements designed to support equine health, performance and recovery, produced to pharmaceutical-grade standards in Ireland.
Explore Foran Equine
Carr & Day & Martin
Caring for horses since 1765, Carr & Day & Martin combines centuries of experience with trusted products across coat, hoof, leather and horse care.
Explore Carr & Day & Martin
Connolly's RED MILLS
More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the very highest levels of performance.
Explore RED MILLS
Horseware Ireland
Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward for more than 40 years.
Explore Horseware Ireland
Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Aachen Diaries all week for stories, insight and everything happening from the heart of the World Championships.

We are live from Aachen and World Championship week has officially begun.
Nicole and Annie are sitting ringside at the first horse inspection, taking in everything that makes Aachen so special. The crowds, the atmosphere, the scale of the venue and a championship field that looks every bit as good in person as it did on paper.
They talk through the team draw and what Great Britain's late position could mean, who might take the individual spots for the major nations and why Tammy Smith and Lilette could be an exciting call for the USA. Plus, first impressions from the trot-up, plans to get out on the cross country course and a little bit of champagne and chocolate along the way.
A quick diary from the heart of Aachen as one seriously exciting week gets underway.
Highlights
• First impressions from Aachen
• Why this championship already feels so special
• The team draw and a late spot for Great Britain
• Who could take the individual spots
• Tammy Smith and Lilette's medal potential
• Live reactions from the first horse inspection
• What Nicole and Annie are looking forward to this week
Guests
Annie Bishop is EquiRatings' US-based eventing analyst and a regular voice on the Eventing Podcast.
The Aachen Diaries are powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.
FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips
Developed by veterinarians and backed by research, FLAIR Strips support the nasal passages to help horses breathe easier during exercise.
Discover FLAIR
Foran Equine
Scientifically formulated supplements designed to support equine health, performance and recovery, produced to pharmaceutical-grade standards in Ireland.
Explore Foran Equine
Carr & Day & Martin
Caring for horses since 1765, Carr & Day & Martin combines centuries of experience with trusted products across coat, hoof, leather and horse care.
Explore Carr & Day & Martin
Connolly's RED MILLS
More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the very highest levels of performance.
Explore RED MILLS
Horseware Ireland
Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward for more than 40 years.
Explore Horseware Ireland
Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Aachen Diaries all week for stories, insight and everything happening from the heart of the World Championships.

World Championship week is here and we are officially ready for Aachen!
Nicole is joined by Sam Watson, Diarm Byrne, Annie Bishop and Spike Milligan to take a proper look at the field and try to work out just how this championship might unfold.
Can Laura Collett and London 52 add a World title to their European crown? Is this the final head-to-head between two championship greats in London 52 and fischerChipmunk? And with Lordships Graffalo, JL Dublin, Diabolo, Falco and plenty more waiting in the wings, who actually comes out on top?
The team also looks at the nations fighting for the medals, what we can expect from Giuseppe Della Chiesa's cross country track and, of course, puts their reputations on the line with their team and individual podium predictions.
Highlights
• The London 52 vs fischerChipmunk rivalry and one final championship showdown
• Who can challenge for individual gold
• How strong are Great Britain and Germany?
• The USA, New Zealand and Ireland's medal chances
• What to expect from the Aachen cross country
• The combinations flying under the radar
• Team and individual podium predictions
Guests
Sam Watson is an Olympian, World Championship team silver medallist and EquiRatings co-founder.
Diarm Byrne - co-founder and CEO of EquiRatings.
Annie Bishop - EquiRatings' US-based eventing analyst and podcast regular.
Spike Milligan - top equine vetrinarian and one of the Eventing Podcast's regular voices.
Our World Championship coverage 
The Championships Diaries is powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.
FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips
Developed by veterinarians and backed by research, FLAIR Strips support the nasal passages to reduce airway resistance, helping horses breathe easier, conserve energy and recover faster.
Discover FLAIR
Foran Equine
Scientifically formulated supplements designed to support equine health, performance and recovery, produced to pharmaceutical-grade standards in Ireland.
Explore Foran Equine
Carr & Day & Martin
Caring for horses since 1765, Carr & Day & Martin combines centuries of experience with trusted products across coat, hoof, leather and horse care.
Explore Carr & Day & Martin
Connolly's RED MILLS
More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with scientifically formulated feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the very highest levels of performance.
Explore RED MILLS
Horseware Ireland
Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward since the creation of the iconic Rambo Original.
Explore Horseware Ireland
Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Championships Diaries for stories, insight and everything you need from the heart of championship eventing.