“Even though it was 30 years ago, I remember everything that happened that day. It was very sunny, the stadium was packed, like it is every year here at the Chio Aachen, and it was a very special day,” said Pessoa. His father, Nelson Pessoa, was also competing in the jump-off round that year, which was exciting for them, as “we thought we had two chances to win the class”; Pessoa senior had won it twice before, and was aiming for a hat trick. He was the first to go in the jump-off and performed well, but other riders would outjump him. “I was seventh out of nine to go,” the younger Pessoa shared during the panel. “[His horse] Special Envoy was in good shape, and I knew we had to try everything to win the class, and it worked out. I remember everything about that day; it is an unforgettable memory.” 

On the day of the Rolex Grand Prix, the atmosphere was electric as this year’s riders prepared for the jump-off, widely viewed as the final and most thrilling part of the competition. But first, we settled back in the Rolex hospitality suite and loaded up on caffeine and Lindt chocolate, a fitting prelude to the Lindt-Prize Grand Prix Dressage which would take place ahead of that most anticipated event. Rolex Testimonee Isabell Werth and her mare Wendy de Fontaine danced their way to victory, and it was a delight to witness it.

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As the stadium was being prepared for the jump-off, we were escorted onto the grounds by Frank Kemperman, the vice-president of Chio Aachen. He walked us through the course for the Rolex Grand Prix, taking us around all the jumps that the best riders would soon encounter and explaining the individual challenges of each one.

There was some drama even before the event began. German rider André Thieme hadn’t initially qualified for competing in Chio Aachen, but when two riders withdrew, he found himself back in the game and in the starter list of the final 18 for the Rolex Grand Prix.

After two rounds, the final four riders who would compete in the jump-off were American McLain Ward, Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs, Thieme, and fellow German Richard Vogel. Ward was the first to participate in the jump-off and finished without collecting any faults, which put pressure on the rest. Fuchs— whose father is the renowned rider Thomas Fuchs—shaved two seconds off the American’s time, but just at the end of his course, he collected a fault as the fence fell.

Despite a slow round, Thieme ran a smooth course; the outcome rested on that last rider. The final contender was Vogel, clearly the audience favourite. As he approached the final jump, his horse’s back hoof very lightly brushed the pole, causing it to fall, and leading to a third-place finish. With Ward taking the silver, Thieme’s slow but steady round ultimately took the top spot.

The event concluded with a long-held tradition: the winners were pulled around the grounds in chariots as the spectators in the stadium waved white handkerchiefs—a symbol of respect and admiration for the competitors. This ritual encapsulated the spirit of unity and celebration that defines the Chio Aachen.

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