The author describes their early morning journey to Hagen for a dressage competition, highlighting the rainy weather and challenging conditions. They note a shift in judging standards towards more consideration of harmony and light contact, with lower scores for big names in the sport. The author expresses uncertainty about whether this change will persist or revert back to old habits.

The article provides a detailed account of the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special competitions at the event, with notable performances from riders such as Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, Semmieke Rothenberger, and Isabell Werth. The author also discusses the emergence of new talent, such as Katharina Hemmer and her horse Denoix PCH, who won the 4* Grand Prix for freestyle.

The day concludes with more rain during the Prix St Georges competition, with the author opting to watch from inside a warm tent. They reflect on the day’s events, including their late-night writing session to share the story with readers. The article ends with an offer to purchase photos from the event and a note about the author’s exhaustion from the long day.