World Championships in Aachen, Dressage: Raphael Netz Takes the Lead Despite a Technical Error After the First Quarter of the Field Has Competed

“It was a 2+—like a school grade,” says Raphael Netz, beaming in the midday sun in Aachen. The 27-year-old has just completed his Grand Prix as the first rider for Team Germany. The 2+ that the debutant on the German team felt was rated by the judges at 73.388 percent.

As he rode into the stadium, he was so focused that he didn’t pay much attention to the atmosphere in the stadium. He did, however, notice that the crowd welcomed the two of them “very warmly.” “That carried both of us on our way from the hallowed turf to the arena.”

In fact, the horses sometimes glance at the large video wall, where they can occasionally see themselves during the ride.

A very strong start for Raphale Netz in the World Championship Grand Prix

In the arena itself, set up in the center of the show jumping stadium, the pair then got down to business with their usual concentration and a seat that was close to perfection: the trot half-passes were fluid, with good crossing and the necessary cadence. During the halt before the backing-up command, the gelding’s left hind leg was not quite under his body. The actual backing-up, however, was the best of the test so far.

A brief hesitation in the first piaffe

During the first piaffe, it seemed for a moment as though he might be running out of steam just a little. But the Johnson son immediately responded to an encouraging leg aid, albeit with a slight forward movement. After a confident, strong, and well-collected walk, the gelding moved into the passage willingly and with elasticity. The second piaffe went even more naturally than the first. It’s nothing new that the bay still has a tendency to lean on his front legs during the exercise. But the rhythm and the transitions were executed precisely.

A Strong Start in the Gallop

Raphael Netz and Great Escape Camelot have steadily improved over the past year. One aspect that clearly demonstrates this is their two-tempi changes. They’re now perfectly straight, with the horse relaxed and in balance. It’s simply a joy to watch.

At a strong gallop, Netz didn’t push it to the absolute limit. The flying change at the end, however, was executed precisely on cue. His well-executed zigzag traverses were a positive highlight. But then came the moment that led Raphael Netz to give the ride a grade of 2+ in his assessment: the single changes.

A Change in Strategy for Series Changes

The fact that he didn’t score a 1 has to do with the flying canter changes from jump to jump. And with the rider. “We made a few adjustments last week,” explains Netz, referring to the training camp in Warendorf. The goal now is to ride into the one-tempi changes with a slightly longer gallop stride. This was still new for Great Escape Camelot in the competition. “Normally, we start the one-tempi changes two or three gallop strides later.” However, this brief moment of less-than-perfect synchronization was also the only slip-up—which “Raphi” took full responsibility for—that the pair experienced. During the warm-up, this very same approach had worked out wonderfully.

The pair then went on to earn a lot of points in the gallop pirouettes. The right-hand pirouette—so perfectly centered and executed on the tiniest of arcs—was a feast for the eyes.

In the final phase of the test, everything went back to being “A+ with an extra star” again. With 73.88 percent, Netz initially took a clear lead in first place.

Debut in the senior division at the World Championships in Aachen

He was the first rider to enter the arena. Making his championship debut. At the

World Championships on home turf

. In Aachen—the situation hadn’t exactly left him completely calm after all. He slept well until 5:30 a.m., Raphael Netz reveals. Everything was going according to plan. Only one of his rituals didn’t work out today. “I always take a power nap before the competition, but today I lay there in the truck and didn’t get a wink of sleep.” But at least he’d had some time to himself.

Tomorrow, the whole team—”nearly 20 people involved”—will be focused on Camelot. He’s taking a break tomorrow. Let him graze, maybe ride him at a walk—that’s the plan. And, of course, the awards ceremony in the evening.

Wednesday, the day of the final, is “Ladies’ Day.” Katharina Hemmer and Denoix will enter the arena at 12:30 p.m., and Isabell Werth and Wendy at 5:30 p.m. This afternoon, Frederic Wandres will be riding Bluetooth, with a start time of 5:40 p.m.

Preliminary Results from Aachen