The Wednesday at the CHIO Aachen 2023 kicked off with the Prize of Handwerk, a 1.45-metre competition against the clock. The winner Marc Dilasser from France couldn’t have been more overjoyed.

Marc Dilasser headed the field of 42 participants in the Prize of Handwerk after knocking 0.12 seconds off the best time. He had saddled the 13-year Selle Français gelding, E2K Abricot Ennemmelle by Quaprice Bois Margot. “As you can see he is a bit wild (laughs),” Marc said about his mount and laughed. “He is a little lion and I love him to bits! He has already won so many classes at big shows. He is a fighter and so clever!”

Dilasser has known E2K Abricot Ennemmelle since the chestnut horse was five and brought him up to top competition level himself. It is the second time Dilasser has competed at the CHIO Aachen, but he has never actually won a class up until now. So, he was delighted after his triumph: “Riding here is simply a dream! I told my groom that I can tell my small sons now that I won in Aachen. Okay, it wasn’t the biggest class, but nevertheless a victory in Aachen!”

Laura Kraut, the Olympic team silver medallist from Tryon, and her speed specialist, Haley by Quality Time TN, narrowly missed that victory. They had led the field on a time of 59.53 seconds until Dilasser and E2K Abricot Ennemmelle notched up a time of 59.41.

Maurice Tebbel and his Hanoverian-bred Quasimodo van de Molendreef son, Quasi Top, were delighted at coming third today after already ranking second in the STAWAG Opening Jumping Competition yesterday. Tebbel said how happy he is to be back in Aachen after a year’s break. Hardly surprising, after two placings under the top three after the first two classes.