Mercedes-Benz Nations‘ Cup: Interview with Otto Becker

Press release – CHIO Aachen: Ahlmann, Beerbaum, Deußer, Ehning and Michaels-Beerbaum are riding for Germany in the Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup – an interview with the national coach Otto Becker. The German show jumping national coaches Otto Becker and Heinrich-Hermann Engemann are taking on the challenge of the Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup at the CHIO Aachen with really top names and thus an extremely experienced team. Christian Ahlman, Ludger Beerbaum, Daniel Deußer, Marcus Ehning and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum will ride for Germany on the evening of July 14th. We spoke to Otto Becker about his expectations and aspirations.

Question: Your riders are very successful at the moment, what are your expectations for Aachen?
Otto Becker: Indeed they are all not only really successful, but above all very constant. Of course, we hope very much that we will be able to continue this in Aachen – to achieve this we all have to carry on working in a highly concentrated manner.

Question: You have achieved so much – are you not bothered about the lacking victory in the Nations’ Cup in Aachen, or does it gnaw away at you?
Becker: Of course, I’d like to win in Aachen as a trainer, no question about it. But I don’t put myself under any pressure, you can’t force anything anyway. Take a look at my colleague Rob Ehrens from the Netherlands, he has been the Dutch national coach much longer than I have in Germany. But he has still hasn’t ever been able to win his home Nations’ Cup in Rotterdam yet.

Question: You chose these five riders very early on – why?
Becker: These five riders are to be our team for the Olympic Games in Rio too. By nominating them early we would like to ensure planning security – for us, the athletes, the environment and of course first and foremost for the horses. This means that we can already jointly plan the way from Aachen to Rio for each individual.

Question: You have been familiar with the CHIO Aachen for many years. What in your opinion makes the show so special?
Becker: For me it always feels a bit like I am coming home. In spite of the size of the show, it has retained its family-like atmosphere, one has known many of the people for many years. And the CHIO always continues to further develop, it is a great combination between professionalism, super conditions and atmosphere. And despite all of its show and event character – the sport always remains the centre of attention in Aachen. Including also the fact that the conditions are perfect, the footing, the stables – everything is in a very good condition. And to enter the sold-out Main Stadium for the Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup or Rolex Grand Prix – that is a pure goose bump feeling, I have never experienced this feeling anywhere else in the world.

Tickets for the Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup:
Hotline: +49-(0)241 – 917 – 1111
Online: www.chioaachen.de

Source: Press release