Horse Power!

Photo by S.W. Cosgrove

Another action shot from the World Equestrian Festival at the CHIO Aachen, Germany.

Here’s a magnificent four-in-hand team in the Combined Driving Event, which tests the driver’s ability and the horses’ obedience, speed and athleticism in three stages – Dressage, Marathon and Cones.

This is the Marathon stage – very fast and exacting. CHIO Aachen competitors come from all over the world.

Full disclosure: I am a lifelong equestrian. I competed on the West Coast of the U.S. in single horse Combined Driving Events and Pleasure Driving for several years with my Morgan carriage horse, Gem, rest her soul. I’ve never had more fun!

Airborne at CHIO Aachen

Photo by S.W. Cosgrove

Airborne at CHIO Aachen, the World Equestrian Festival at the Imperial City of Aachen, Germany, where horses fly.

According to legend, Charlemagne’s horse discovered Aachen’s hot springs when pawing the ground with its hooves, which led to establishment of the Imperial Palace and City of Aachen at the site of an ancient Roman settlement. Charlemagne is buried at Aachen.

Opera has Bayreuth – equestrian sports have Aachen.