CHIO Aachen 2013

19 June 2013

The World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen, is Germany’s largest and most highly endowed sports event.  During the ten days of the show (June 21^st–30^th), the organisers are expecting over 350,000 visitors at the traditional showgrounds at the Aachen Soers again.  With their 557 horses, 375 equestrian athletes from 30 nations will be competing for prize-money totalling 2.67 million Euros.

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“Competing in Aachen is the ultimate experience for us equestrians,” agreed show-jumper Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and her dressage colleague, Kristina Sprehe.  During a Press Conference the two world-class German riders jointly presented the coming CHIO Aachen event together with the Show Director, Frank Kemperman; the General Manager of the Aachener Reitturnier GmbH, Michael Mronz; the President of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV), Carl Meulenbergh and Aachen’s Lord Mayor, Marcel Philipp.

Indeed 1057 horses will be performing at the Soers in total – because in addition to the competition horses, a high number of horses will also be taking part in the supporting and show programmes. “180 horses will be involved in the spectacular Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, June 25^th alone,” explained Frank Kemperman, who was able to announce an excellent line-up of participants.  The Rolex Grand Slam is guaranteed to provide extra nail-biting excitement too.  The initiative of the three organisers of the shows in Aachen, Calgary and Geneva kicks off at the coming CHIO, all relevant information can be found at www.rolexgrandslam.com.  The Show Director and ALRV Chairman, Frank Kemperman, also had good news for Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum after talking on the phone to the national jumping coach, Otto Becker:  She has been nominated for the team competing in the floodlit Mercedes-Benz Prize, Part of the Furusiyya Nations´ Cup, on Thursday evening (27.6.). “I am delighted that I am able to compete in the Mercedes-Benz Prize this year.  No other competition can boast such a fantastic crowd or such an amazing atmosphere.  That is the incredible appeal.  And my horse Bella Donna is in top shape – it is going to be gripping!” Michaels-Beerbaum, who last rode for the German team in 2009, said joyfully. The dressage rider, Kristina Sprehe, is also looking ahead to the contests with great expectations. Her top horse, Desperados, with whom she won team silver for Germany at the Olympic Games in London, has recovered completely from a small injury. “Desperados is fighting fit and of course Aachen is the highlight for us dressage riders.  I often visited the CHIO Aachen as a child and I always said to myself: I’d like to ride here one day!  The atmosphere in the Deutsche Bank Stadium is tremendous,” the 26-year-old commented.

Great sport and a great show – this combination is what turns the CHIO Aachen into a top international sporting event, which also attracts a great deal of media interest.  Images from the show will be broadcast in over 140 countries, more than 650 journalists cover the competitions, in the meantime media representatives from over 26 different nations travel to Germany – “we are also experiencing an increasing internationalisation of the CHIO Aachen in this area too,” stated Michael Mronz.  Both the journalists and spectators – 200,000 tickets have already been sold, more than 350,000 visitors are expected during the ten days of the show – are looking forward to 109 hours of top sport in the five CHIO Aachen disciplines, but also to many star guests from the public life.  For example Denmark‘s Princess Royal Mary has confirmed her attendance as well as the actor legend, Roger Moore. “With prize-money totalling 2.67 million Euros the CHIO Aachen is the most highly endowed sporting event in Germany,” reported Michael Mronz.  The prize-money has increased from 350,000 Euros up to 1,000,000 Euros in the Rolex Grand Prix alone.

Carl Meulenbergh is delighted about the excellent ticket sales so far: “The crowd is the heart and soul of the event,” stated the ALRV President, who also presented the comprehensive supporting programme.  The programme also includes the Reception of the partner country at the market square in Aachen on June 24^th – which the Lord Mayor of Aachen, Marcel Philipp, is especially looking forward to: “Aachen will present itself as a cordial host as always. Not just I myself, but indeed the whole city is looking forward to the CHIO.”

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Source: CHIO Aachen