The FEI European Championships is one of equestrianism's most prestigious events attracting thousands of competitors, horses and fans. This year, the event took place in Aachen, Germany and included some amazing performances and images -- like this multi-exposure shot of a dressage rider.
The FEI European Championships is one of equestrianism's most prestigious events attracting thousands of competitors, horses and fans. This year, the event took place in Aachen, Germany and included some amazing performances and images -- like this multi-exposure shot of a dressage rider.
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There aren't too many places in the world where you can see a man dressed in a tiger leotard doing a handstand on a moving horse, but Aachen was one of them. Here, Thomas Brusewitz performs on his horse Airbus in the Vaulting competition. The German won the silver medal in the men's freestyle event. His compatriot Jannis Drewell took gold riding Diabolus. Brusewitz's brother, Viktor won the bronze.
There aren't too many places in the world where you can see a man dressed in a tiger leotard doing a handstand on a moving horse, but Aachen was one of them. Here, Thomas Brusewitz performs on his horse Airbus in the Vaulting competition. The German won the silver medal in the men's freestyle event. His compatriot Jannis Drewell took gold riding Diabolus. Brusewitz's brother, Viktor won the bronze.
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Austria's Lisa Wild performs on Robin during the women's Vaulting freestyle final. The European Championships, which ran from August 11-23, attracted the best riders from all over the continent. Wild's acrobatics earned her third place behind Germany's Corinna Knauf and Swiss winner Simone Jaiser.
Austria's Lisa Wild performs on Robin during the women's Vaulting freestyle final. The European Championships, which ran from August 11-23, attracted the best riders from all over the continent. Wild's acrobatics earned her third place behind Germany's Corinna Knauf and Swiss winner Simone Jaiser.
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Germany did taste vaulting success thanks to team RSV Neuss-Grimlinghausen who pulled off some incredible stunts to win the Squads Vaulting Final freestyle test.
Germany did taste vaulting success thanks to team RSV Neuss-Grimlinghausen who pulled off some incredible stunts to win the Squads Vaulting Final freestyle test.
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In the more traditional equestrian events it was the Netherlands who reigned. Here, the victorious Dutch Show Jumping team show off their gold medals on the podium. Pictured left to right: Jur Vrieling, Gerco Schroeder, Maikel van der Vleuten, Jeroen Dubbeldam with team captain Rob Ehrens at the front. The reigning world champions fended off Germany and Switzerland to take the title.
In the more traditional equestrian events it was the Netherlands who reigned. Here, the victorious Dutch Show Jumping team show off their gold medals on the podium. Pictured left to right: Jur Vrieling, Gerco Schroeder, Maikel van der Vleuten, Jeroen Dubbeldam with team captain Rob Ehrens at the front. The reigning world champions fended off Germany and Switzerland to take the title.
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Dubbeldam capped an incredible tournament for the Netherlands. Riding SFN Zenith, Dubbeldam took the European Individual Show Jumping title on Sunday. His victory ensured the Dutch finished top of the medal table with four golds, one silver and three bronze medals.
Dubbeldam capped an incredible tournament for the Netherlands. Riding SFN Zenith, Dubbeldam took the European Individual Show Jumping title on Sunday. His victory ensured the Dutch finished top of the medal table with four golds, one silver and three bronze medals.
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There was plenty to celebrate for hosts Germany too. They finished just behind the Netherlands in the medal table, with three golds, but also collected nine silver and three bronze.
There was plenty to celebrate for hosts Germany too. They finished just behind the Netherlands in the medal table, with three golds, but also collected nine silver and three bronze.
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Dressage star Charlotte Dujardin (center) poses with second placed Kristina Broering-Sprehe (left) of Germany and third placed Beatriz Ferrer-Salat of Spain after winning the Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle individual competition. The current Olympic and World champion, Dujardin helped Britain to a haul of two golds and one silver medal at the championships.
Dressage star Charlotte Dujardin (center) poses with second placed Kristina Broering-Sprehe (left) of Germany and third placed Beatriz Ferrer-Salat of Spain after winning the Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle individual competition. The current Olympic and World champion, Dujardin helped Britain to a haul of two golds and one silver medal at the championships.
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FIFA World Cup winner Thomas Mueller watched the dressage action with his wife Lisa -- an aspiring dressage rider.<br />In March, the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2015%2F03%2F11%2Fsport%2Fequestrian-thomas-muller-lisa-germany-bayern%2F">Bayern Munich star told CNN</a> how much he enjoys being around horses. "They make me feel comfortable, the attitude and what they look like and [the way they] live their lives. It's fun. It's easy to relax around horses," he said.
FIFA World Cup winner Thomas Mueller watched the dressage action with his wife Lisa -- an aspiring dressage rider.
In March, the Bayern Munich star told CNN how much he enjoys being around horses. "They make me feel comfortable, the attitude and what they look like and [the way they] live their lives. It's fun. It's easy to relax around horses," he said.
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The championships attracted some of the biggest celebrity names including Jade Jagger ...
The championships attracted some of the biggest celebrity names including Jade Jagger ...
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... and high-ranking politicians. Here, German Defense Minister, Ursula von der Leyen takes part in the opening ceremony.
... and high-ranking politicians. Here, German Defense Minister, Ursula von der Leyen takes part in the opening ceremony.
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Gina Marie Schumacher, daughter of stricken F1 legend Michael, also attended the event. The 17-year-old donned a colorful cowboy shirt as she showed off her Reining skills.
Gina Marie Schumacher, daughter of stricken F1 legend Michael, also attended the event. The 17-year-old donned a colorful cowboy shirt as she showed off her Reining skills.
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Schumacher, who won both the junior and individual European Reining titles earlier this year, can be seen here on Sharp Dressed Shiner. The western-style riding event sees competitors guide their mounts through a series of circles, spins and stops.
Schumacher, who won both the junior and individual European Reining titles earlier this year, can be seen here on Sharp Dressed Shiner. The western-style riding event sees competitors guide their mounts through a series of circles, spins and stops.
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Schumacher's mother, Corinna (right) was on hand to lend support. The 46-year-old Corinna is a former European Reining champion and lives on a ranch in Switzerland, where husband Michael is currently being treated following a severe head injury sustained in a skiing accident in December 2013.
Schumacher's mother, Corinna (right) was on hand to lend support. The 46-year-old Corinna is a former European Reining champion and lives on a ranch in Switzerland, where husband Michael is currently being treated following a severe head injury sustained in a skiing accident in December 2013.
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Grischa Ludwig of Germany rides his horse Shine my Gun during the Reining team competition.
Grischa Ludwig of Germany rides his horse Shine my Gun during the Reining team competition.
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Ludwig and his Germany teammates had to settle for silver behind Italy in the team competition with the Netherlands taking bronze. It was a similar story for the hosts in the individual event with Italy's Giovanni Masi de Vargas (center) taking top prize with Ludwig (left) second and compatriot Elias Ernst finishing third.
Ludwig and his Germany teammates had to settle for silver behind Italy in the team competition with the Netherlands taking bronze. It was a similar story for the hosts in the individual event with Italy's Giovanni Masi de Vargas (center) taking top prize with Ludwig (left) second and compatriot Elias Ernst finishing third.
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