Team Norka triumphs again at the CHIO Aachen – vaulting sensation!

Team Norka triumphs again at the CHIO Aachen – vaulting sensation!

Today, June 28, 2025, the prestigious CHIO in Aachen began with the Sparkasse Prize for vaulters. The first competitions - the compulsory and technical competitions - were held on Friday, while the freestyle will be in the spotlight on Saturday. The event not only attracts talented athletes, but also spectators who are passionate about this fascinating sport.

Particularly pleasing for the Cologne vaulters: The Norka team from VV Köln-Dünnwald won the team competition with an impressive overall score of 8,540 points and is celebrating its fourth consecutive victory in the Sparkasse Prize. Coach Torben Jacobs highlighted the special atmosphere in Aachen and praised the team performance that resulted from the year-long collaboration in Norka's current format. The team, which trains on the ten-year-old Westphalian horse Ecuador, received the only rating of 8.0 and better in the competition - an outstanding performance! [sportschau] reports on the team's significant progress.

Individual masterpieces

But there were not only successes to celebrate in the team competition, the athletes from VV Köln-Dünnwald were also able to achieve outstanding results in the individual competitions. Alice Layher prevailed in the women's category with a score of 8.321 points, securing her first victory in this category at the CHIO Aachen. Alina Roß came in just behind her with 8.317 points, while defending champion Kathrin Meyer came in third with 8.305 points. [chioaachen] highlights how Layher has entered the list of winners of this prestigious event.

In the men's race, Bela Lehnen celebrated an impressive victory with 8.391 points. That was his first individual start in Aachen and an attractive performance in which he left Thomas Brüsewitz (8.351 points) and Jannik Heiland (8.334 points) behind him. Jacobs emphasized Lehnen's tenacity and charisma, which is evident in his performances. chiaachen reported on this impressive achievement.

Pas de Deux and future competitions

The Swiss athletes Syra Schmid and Zoe Maruccio are also at the top in the Pas de Deux with 8.429 points. The German duos, consisting of Kühne and Harwardt (8.326 points) and Heers and Hamann (8.074 points), are hot on the heels of the Swiss. The decision in the Pas de Deux will take place on Sunday morning in the second freestyle.

For the participants of the CHIO Aachen, this is not only a competition, but also an important sighting for the upcoming World Championships for Seniors in July in Bern, Switzerland. The vaulters not only show off their skills, but also their tireless commitment to the sport. [pferd-aktuell] regularly reports on the latest news and developments relating to the sport of vaulting.

All in all, the first competitions of the CHIO Aachen 2025 got off to a promising start and offer exciting prospects for the weekend. Viewers can look forward to more thrilling performances!