US Riders Fight to Stay Alive in Aachen

Aachen’s first phase—the Grand Prix—is in the books, and the United States is already down two riders.

Kevin Kohmann, one of the country’s top performers this year, was eliminated early in a stunning blow that ended his individual chances and all but ruled Team USA out of the Nations Cup medal race. Then, Jennifer Williams, the fourth member of the American squad, placed last in the Grand Prix with 65.457%, nearly three percentage points below her technical-test average. She will not advance to the Grand Prix Special.

That leaves Kasey Perry-Glass and Benjamin Ebeling as the last two U.S. riders standing.

Ben and Kasey Survive Round One

CHIO Aachen’s dressage competition follows a unique format. Every rider competes in the Grand Prix. The top 30 scores advance to the Grand Prix Special. Then, only the top 18 from the Special qualify for Sunday’s Freestyle. That makes Saturday’s ride a gatekeeper and both Perry-Glass and Ebeling have made it this far.

Perry-Glass is currently tied for 16th on 70.783%. Ebeling sits 18th with a 70.196%. Both riders stepped up in the Grand Prix with scores well above their historical averages. Ebeling’s test was more than two percentage points higher than his typical Grand Prix/Special mark of 68.05%. Perry-Glass likewise outperformed her average by nearly two full points. Those overperformances were essential in a tight field of Olympians and world-class riders.

Their placement gives them a shot, but it doesn’t offer much breathing room. Riders ranked just behind them—like Dutch riders Geert-Jan Raateland and Rowena Weggelaar—trail by fractions of a percent and carry similar averages. Holding position in the Special will require composure and near-peak execution.

The First Cut Isn’t the Final Cut

If Perry-Glass and Ebeling advance to Sunday’s Freestyle, they’ll face an even more competitive field. Based on freestyle averages alone, Ebeling ranks 17th in the class, with Perry-Glass close behind at 18th. That would place them last among the finalists if scores play to form.

Still, both have shown the ability to punch above their stats. Ebeling’s freestyle personal best sits at 76.190%, with an average of 75.305%. Perry-Glass owns a personal best of 76.290% and averages around 75%. These aren’t winning numbers, but they’re good enough to climb if others falter—or if they deliver something special.

The margins are razor-thin. Only 0.3% separates 16th from 20th after the Grand Prix, and even minor mistakes could flip the order.

Elite, and Then Some

Aachen is known for fielding the world’s best, but even by that standard, this year’s competition is stacked. 

Belgium’s Justin Verboomen blew past projections, scoring 78.348%—a staggering 3.5 points above his Grand Prix/Special average. João Pedro Moreira (POR) and Rikke Dupont (DEN) also posted scores nearly three points above their typical range. Even Isabell Werth (GER), who won the Grand Prix with 79.761%, exceeded her average by almost three points.

These results show just how high the bar is this week. It’s not enough to just match your personal best. You might need to beat it to stay in the mix.

Germany Pulls Away From the Pack

Germany holds a commanding lead after the Grand Prix, with Isabell Werth and Frederic Wandres sitting in first and third, respectively. But the race for team silver and bronze is anything but secure. Belgium, Sweden, Great Britain, and Denmark are all within four points of each other. The Grand Prix Special will add another layer to the team totals before Sunday’s freestyle decides the final Nations Cup standings.

For the U.S., a team medal is now out of reach. But the individual stakes are still very much alive.

Survive Saturday, Shine Sunday

The Special begins Saturday, and with it, the fight to survive. For the U.S. riders, it’s a battle for relevance in one of the world’s toughest arenas. Perry-Glass and Ebeling have already delivered once. To dance in Aachen’s famed arena Sunday, they’ll have to do it again. Catch the coverage of the event live on ClipMyHorse.TV.