Statements from the Mercedes-Benz Prize, part of the Meydan FEI Nations Cup

FRANCE:

Pénélope Leprovost: "It was a dream come true for me being able to compete in Aachen, it was my first time here and the crowd really is unbelievable."

Roger-Yves Bost: "Mine was the worst ride in the first round, so there was a lot of pressure on me in the second round. But I ride better when I am under pressure, which proved to be the case in the second round when I jumped clear."

Timothée Anciaume: "It is also the first time that I have competed in Aachen. And I must say it is something special being able to ride here."

Kevin Staut: "We have got a very strong team with a good team spirit which holds us together. That is very important."

THE NETHERLANDS:

Harrie Smolders: "I jumped clear in the first round, then I picked up four faults in the second round, but that's the name of the game.

Albert Zoer: "I had a great feeling in the first round and jumped clear, I took things too relaxed in the second round and collected eight faults."

Angelique Hoorn: "I jumped double clear which was simply wonderful."

Marc Houtzager: "I was very satisfied too."

GERMANY

Otto Becker, National Coach: "Of course we would have preferred to win, but we are still very satisfied with our second place. Our youngster Philipp Weishaupt needs a little more experience, but we knew that beforehand. But his performance is a good basis to build on."

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum: "It is always a great experience riding here, I was very satisfied with Checkmate, he was in great form."

Philipp Weishaupt: "I am pleased with our team result, but I wasn't satisfied with my performance in the second round. I am grateful that my team colleagues bailed me out. I hope that I will get the opportunity to ride in a Nations Cup again."

Markus Ehning:"It was my first time here in Aachen with Plot Blue and he put in a great performance jumping double clear. We kept everything at a distance and tried to do the best job possible."

Frank Kempermann, Show Director of the CHIO Aachen: "We had 40,000 spectators today, a wonderful summer evening and fantastic sport."

Peter Alexander Trettin, Chairman of the Executive Board of Mercedes-Benz Vertriebsorganisation Deutschland: We are delighted to be here and also intend to be a part of it in the future too. We watched an incredibly exciting second round. The riders performed brilliantly."

Mohammad Al Khayat, Commercial Director of Meydan: "It was my first visit to Aachen and I have really enjoyed it."