2005 CSIO Aachen

Aachen Show Jumping Highlights - Wednesday August 24, 2005

Brazil's Bernardo Alves and Canturo Win Prize of Europe at Aachen CHIO 2005

The 30-year-old Brazilian rider, Bernardo Alves, described his victory in the Prize of Europe (Warsteiner Prize) as his "biggest success to date". He rode the fastest clear round (36.78 seconds) with the 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion, Canturo by Cantus x Calando in an exciting jump-off, relegating his friend and trainer, Rodrigo Pessoa (32), with the French stallion Baloubet du Rouet to second place (0/37.91).

Like Pessoa, Bernardo Alves is at home in Brussels. He has been riding for 24 years. He made the big break-through last year when he represented Brazil at the Olympic Games in Athens. His partner, Canturo, finished the first round of the Olympic Nations' Cup with eight faults and unfortunately the pair was eliminated in the second round. This year he has already notched up victories in Madrid and Canada. "But winning in Aachen is something quite special", stated the Brazilian rider.

Third place in the Prize of Europe went to the British rider, Nick Skelton, with the Oldenburg horse Arko by Argentinus x Beach Boy (0/38.62). The best German rider was Ludger Beerbaum (Riesenbeck), who came ninth with the nine-year-old chestnut gelding L'Espoir by Landwind II x Feinschnitt (8/86). Ludger Beerbaum will be celebrating his 42nd birthday on Friday, Nations' Cup day.

In the Warsteiner Prize, Prize of Europe jumping competition on Wednesday, two Brazilian riders showed their fellow contenders how to take the fences quickly without faults. With his 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion, Canturo by Cantus x Calando, Bernardo Alves triumphed with a time of 36.78 seconds over his trainer, Rodrigo Pessoa, who had saddled Baloubet Du Rouet (0/37.91). The British rider, Nick Skelton came third on Arko III (0/38.62). Consequently, Alves was jubilant during the subsequent interview.

Question: You have been competing at the CHIO in Aachen since 2001, but you haven’t been able to achieve such a good result as this yet. How surprised are you that you won?

Bernardo Alves: I am totally thrilled. This is my biggest achievement to date. I took the last fence at full pace. I kept hearing the spectators shout “go, go, go“. So I knew I could make it and I wanted to incite the crowd.

Question: How much does the victory over your trainer Rodrigo Pessoa mean to you?

Alves: That is always something quite special. After all he is not just my trainer, he’s also my friend. And let’s face it Rodrigo rides Baloubet, one of the best horses in the world. I never imagined Canturo could actually pull it off. But he just got better and better during the jump-off.

Question: You competed at the Olympic Games in Athens with the Brazilian team last year, where you were eliminated in the second round. Things are going much better this year: You already notched up victories in Madrid and Calgary previous to winning here in Aachen.

Alves: Yes, things are really going well at the moment. Canturo is really taking off this year.

Question: You grew up in Brazil, but you now live in Europe.

Alves: Yes, I’ve been living in Belgium for four years now, working with Rodrigo. The possibilities in the equestrian field are very limited in Brazil compared to Europe. I am very pleased to have the opportunity of living and working here.

Question: What is the significance of the CHIO in Aachen for you?

Alves: It is the best tournament in the world. A wonderful audience that is always behind you. And of course the new show ground is splendid. The complete scenery was right today, it was a perfect day. My day.

Michael Whitaker wins Prize of Kreis Aachen

The Prize of the Kreis Aachen ended with a British victory on Wednesday evening: The British rider, Michael Whitaker (45), laid down the fastest clear round (40.78 seconds) riding the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding with the unpronounceable name El Capricho Atormentado Z. The Brazilian rider, Rodrigo Pessoa, took second place with the 11-year-old Quick Star daughter, Queen, who was also bred at the Zangersheide stud (0/41.,31), closely followed by the Belgian rider, Dirk Demeersman (fourth at the Olympic Games in Athens), who had saddled the nine-year-old stallion Orlando VD Heffinck (0/41.80).

Horsesdaily "On the Scene" at CHIO Aachen 2005