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Ludger Beerbaum retires from the sport

02.07.2023 18:55

Ludger Beerbaum. A name that has been more…


Ludger Beerbaum. A name that has been more closely connected with the international equestrian sport for the past decades than hardly any other. A name, that is listed on countless winners’ boards worldwide. Today, the 59-year-old announced at the CHIO Aachen that he is ending his sporting career.

A legend leaves the stage. 40,000 spectators in the Main Stadium in Aachen paid witness to the official end of the sporting career of Ludger Beerbaum. A career that began in 1985 in Dublin, Ireland with his first appearance on the German Nations’ Cup team. He represented his country’s equipe 133 times and that was followed by an unbelievable 24 Championship appearances. His lifework: 20 international medals, of which 12 were gold, claiming individual Olympic gold in Barcelona in 1992 was the highlight. The Spanish metropolis was also the place where Ludger Beerbaum retired from the German Nations’ Cup team in 2016. However, he continued competing at international level. Until today. The Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen, which he has taken part in an incredible 35 times, was to be his last class. That he had decided and picking up just four faults he impressively demonstrated his riding skills one last time.

A few years ago, the show-jumper already said he didn’t want to be competing at the age of 60. And then he added with a grin. “But I haven’t put that in writing.” Today, on July 2nd, 2023, a few weeks before his 60th birthday on August 26th, the time had come. And he couldn’t have chosen a better venue than the CHIO Aachen, the place that he associates with so many fantastic victories and emotions, for the last lap of honour for Germany’s most successful show-jumper of all time. Beerbaum won the Rolex Grand Prix on the Holy Grass three times and he won the Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup with the German team six times at the Soers. So, the sold-out Main Stadium made the perfect setting for the words that Ludger Beerbaum wanted to address to the audience, that had cheered him on over decades and carried him to huge accomplishments: “Aachen is unique. You have all carried me on to success for so many years with your enthusiasm and always stood by me through all my victories and defeats,” he said, whilst the applauding crowd all got up from their seats. And then Ludger Beerbaum thanked his sponsor, Madeleine Winter-Schulze, and his long-standing groom, Marie Johnson, “for everything”, before setting off on his final lap of honour and enjoying the so unique Aachen atmosphere that he had just mentioned beforehand: Standing ovations for a unique career and a sea of white handkerchiefs for a horseman that has written equestrian sport history in Germany.

DSP Alice says adieu

29.06.2023 23:37

Thunderous applause. Standing ovations. And a few tears…


Thunderous applause. Standing ovations. And a few tears in the eyes of her rider: Their joint journey came to an end for Simone Blum and her “soulmate horse”, DSP Alice, on Thursday evening at the showgrounds of the Aachen Soers.

On Thursday evening, DSP Alice and Simone Blum stood under the gleaming floodlights of the Main Stadium in Aachen for the last time. The place they association with so many unforgettable memories. The chestnut mare with the irrepressible desire to win had always felt particularly at home on the Holy Grass at the Soers. Her fantastic triumph in the Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup in 2018 was proof of that. And also in the following year she significantly contributed towards Germany taking second place in the traditional international game of the show jumpers at the same venue after jumping double clear. 2019 was also the year in which DSP Alice was distinguished with the Halla Challenge Trophy as the most successful horse of the CHIO Aachen after coming fourth in the Rolex Grand Prix.

But this is just an excerpt out of the long list of merits with which the Askari daughter catapulted her rider to the top of the rankings of the world elite within the shortest space of time. 40,000 spectators watched mesmerised as the highlights of her career flickered over the big screens. One of the highlights of which was without doubt winning the gold medal at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018. “Thank you for everything, Alice!” Simone Blum finally whispered into the microphone with a shaky voice, before sending her “soulmate horse” off on a final lap of honour accompanied by the thunderous applause of the crowd in Aachen.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, takes a look behind the scenes

28.06.2023 17:56

Together with Frank Kemperman, Vice President of the…


Together with Frank Kemperman, Vice President of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennvereins (ALRV), and Nick Russell, Consul General of the United Kingdom, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne set off on a tour of the traditional showgrounds at the Aachen Soers on Wednesday morning.

A passion for the equestrian sport and horse breeding is very deep rooted within the royal family. Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne herself became the youngest European Eventing Champion in 1971, her daughter, Zara Tindall, won individual gold at the FEI World Equestrian Games 2006 in Aachen – and her mother was there live to support her. Now 17 years later The Princess has returned to the Aachen Soers. After the festive Opening Ceremony on Tuesday evening, during which HRH officially declared the CHIO Aachen as being open, she came back to the traditional showgrounds on Wednesday morning. Accompanied by Frank Kemperman, the Vice President of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV), and Nick Russell, the Consul General of the United Kingdom, she spent approx. three hours at the Aachen Soers taking a look behind the scenes.

The Princess visited the Boehringer Ingelheim Grooms’ Lounge, where Mel Jobst, board member of the International Grooms Association (IGA); and board member of the ALRV, Birgit Rosenberg; told her about the details of this area that was set up especially for the grooms. After a tour of the stables, they took a look round the Deutsche Bank Stadium. Here HRH met the chefs d’equipe of the British jumping and dressage teams, Di Lampard and Caroline Griffith, as well as the Executive, British Equine, Jim Eyre. Princess Anne took this opportunity to wish her country’s riders present including the three-time Olympic gold medallist, Charlotte Dujardin, the double World Champion Charlotte Fry and Olympic gold medallist, Ben Maher, good luck for the coming days at the CHIO Aachen 2023.

On the subsequent tour around the CHIO Aachen Village, HRH dropped by at the CHIO Aachen fan shop and the CHIO Kids Day, then the Royal visitor met up with team that is responsible for the jumping discipline at the CHIO Aachen. The course designer, Frank Rothenberger; Discipline Manager, Carsten Rothermund and employees of the course team were present. Of course a drive around the expansive cross-country track at the Aachen Soers couldn’t possibly have been missing for a former eventer. The course designer, Rüdiger Schwarz; the technical delegate of the FEI, Giuseppe della Chiesa and chef d’equipe of the British eventers, Richard Waygood were waiting for The Princess at a water obstacle, where she expertly measured the distances.

The tour ended with a reception in the CHIO Aachen museum, where Princess Anne signed the guest book in the presence of the ALRV President, Stefanie Peters. She was then introduced to the employees of the CHIO Aachen team, and Dr. Doris Beaujean, CHIO Aachen Museum Director, presented a selection of special exhibits. HRH was particularly impressed at coming across the riding helmet of her daughter Zara Tindall, which she had worn on her way to winning the gold medal at the World Equestrian Games in 2006.

Media Night with Anna Ermakova, Franziska van Almsick and Heino Ferch

27.06.2023 22:51

It is the most famous “red carpet” in…


It is the most famous “red carpet” in the entire equestrian sport, over which the guests of the Media Night traditionally walk on the opening evening of the CHIO Aachen. Together with the co-host Hermann Bühlbecker, the sole proprietor of the “Aachener Printen & Schokoladenfabrik Henry Lambertz GmbH & Co. KG”, the organisers had invited guests to attend the traditional gala evening on Tuesday.

One of the most coveted photo motifs of the evening was the winner of Let’s Dance 2023, Anna Ermakova. The 23-year-old daughter of the tennis legend, Boris Becker, beamed into the cameras together with her mother, Angela Ermakova, before she was warmly welcomed by Hermann Bühlbecker and Stefanie Peters, President of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein. The actor, Heino Ferch; the swimming legend, Franziska van Almsick, and the former skier, Maria Höfl-Riesch, were all delighted to attend. The State Premier of NRW, Hendrik Wüst, was visible impressed before his big appearance at the Opening Ceremony: “The state of North Rhine-Westphalia has a horse on its coat of arms and we have the largest equestrian show in the world here in Aachen. That fits together wonderfully and I always enjoy coming here.”

Together with 38,500 spectators, Wüst and the other guests let themselves be enchanted by the spectacular Opening Ceremony, during the course of which Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne and the State Premier of NRW jointly officially opened the CHIO Aachen 2023. Then, the guests carried on celebrating in the “Champions’ Circle” until the early hours.

38,500 spectators celebrate a fabulous festival with plenty of British charm

27.06.2023 22:50

There was something special in the air on…


There was something special in the air on Tuesday evening at the Aachen Soers. The Union Jack was flying in the Main Stadium, the traditional sounds of “Big Ben” rang out from the loudspeakers. And that was just the beginning of a magnificent Opening Ceremony that was filled with British flair, the evening was lent an added regal touch by the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne.

The crowd in Aachen already got up out of their seats during the first minute of the traditional Opening Ceremony to welcome HRH Princess Anne, waving a sea of flags. Stood at the side of the State President of NRW, Hendrik Wüst, the member of the British royal family said that it was lovely to be back in Aachen, before she actually declared the CHIO Aachen 2023 officially open in German, to the delight of the 38,500 spectators. Princess Anne’s way to the stand was lined by the flags of the nations taking part in the World Equestrian Festival, carried among others by the most successful dressage rider of all time, Isabell Werth, and the British show-jumper, Nick Skelton, who won the Rolex Grand Prix in Aachen in the year 2013. A spectacular floodlit Opening Ceremony followed, which impressed the spectators with typical British flamboyance.

“All you need is love”, based on the legendary Beatles hymn, was the motto of the evening. And that was not only tangible in the stands, but also on the “Holy Grass”. With traditional show acts, bagpipe music and British-style dance performances to groovy music, Great Britain demonstrated how much old traditions merge into one with the lifestyle of the new era in the country on the other side of the English Channel. The absolute highlight was the appearance of the Household Cavalry. The mounted soldiers, one is otherwise only familiar with from the pompous parades on London’s streets, celebrated their world-famous Musical Ride and conjured up an impressive mood in the Main Stadium.

It was colourful and also rather magical when over 100 children paid tribute to the renowned young magician, Harry Potter, with their performance and whisked the crowd off into the secret world of Hogwarts. A choreography comprising of over 100 children that also featured the film heroine Alice in Wonderland and the musical legend, Mary Poppins. The programme was rounded off by plenty of horses and even more equine tradition. For example, from small Welsh ponies through to enormous Shire horses lots of typical, British horse breeds galloped over the “Holy Grass”. They were accompanied by splendid English-style carriages, the spectacular James Bond show by the stunt rider Josh Clemens and a spectacular rain dance, during the course of which the cool wet substance that is so typical for Great Britain really did pour down on the protagonists. The many Grand National Shetland ponies that raced through the ring with their mini jockeys on board proved to be the crowd’s favourites. The final parade of all participants, accompanied by classics from British music history and a huge fountain that lit up an impressive play of colours in the sky over Aachen brought the Opening Ceremony to a close. A crowning glory that whet everyone’s appetite for the coming days at the CHIO Aachen 2023.

The “Silver Horse” goes to Juliane Barth

27.06.2023 21:51

“The Silver Horse” goes to Juliane Barth this…


“The Silver Horse” goes to Juliane Barth this year for her online campaign #WirfürdenPferdesport (#Wefortheequestriansport), Lia Beckmann came second and Jan Tönjes third. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, was distinguished in the rubric personality.

#WirfürdenPferdesport – this was the hashtag under which the blogger, creative producer and eventer Juliane Barth (@julis_eventer) initiated a campaign across the social media which stands for uniting the love of horses with the equestrian sport. A campaign that is growing continually and which lives and successfully conveys a very special message – more than 10,000 respective posts can currently be found on Instagram alone. Commitment to the equestrian sport that the jury of the online award has now paid tribute to.

This year the renowned prize is being conferred as an online award for the fifth time. Because equestrian sport journalism has also undergone a transformation and in the meantime makes use of totally new and exciting, digital formats, enabling this fascinating sport to become more vibrant, more up-to-date and even more personalised. The jury inspected more than 50 applications, including not only entries from bloggers and onliners, but also from editors, athletes, organisers and agencies. Among others the creativity, quality, user involvement, target group affinity and relevance of the submitted entries was evaluated.

The jury – comprising of Wolfgang Brinkmann (Honorary President of the German Riding & Driving Association, DRFV), Nadine Capellmann (dressage rider), Michael Mronz (General Manager, Aachener Reitturnier GmbH), Tobias Königs (Press Officer, CHIO Aachen) and Countess Dr. Ute Rothkirch (DRFV board member) – was impressed by the diversity and the quality of the submitted entries. Blogs and social media platforms were submitted as well as classic media that have successfully mastered the transformation over to a digital medium in a wide range of different ways. In addition to Juliane Barth, Lia Beckmann was distinguished with second place for the overall concept of her Instagram and YouTube account. Jan Tönjes came third with his St.GEORG podcast. There was an exceptional setting for the prize-giving ceremony: The Opening Ceremony of the CHIO Aachen 2023. HRH Princess Anne was distinguished with the “Silver Horse” in the rubric “Personality”. The representative of the British royal family, who officially declared the CHIO Aachen open this evening, won the award for her deep attachment and immense commitment to the equestrian sport.

 

“Info Stewards” as contact persons on the warm-up areas

27.06.2023 15:23

The best horses and riders traditionally meet up…


The best horses and riders traditionally meet up at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen. In order to make the sport even more transparent, “Info Stewards” will be available on the warm-up areas as contact persons for the spectators.

The organisers, the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV) have already been offering this service together with the German Equestrian Federation (FN) for years. The aim: More transparency. “We strive to inform interested parties about the sport as efficiently as possible,” explained Birgit Rosenberg, board member of the ALRV and Head of Sport at the CHIO Aachen. The Info Stewards take on the role of mediators between the sport and the public, on the warm-up areas of both the dressage and the jumping. “They are to engage in conversation with the spectators and where necessary explain what is happening on the training areas,” said Soenke Lauterbach, General Secretary of the FN. Furthermore, the Info Stewards, who will all be wearing the same coloured jackets as a means of identification, are to take the load off the official stewards of the international association, the FEI.

The German Equestrian Sport Foundation is supporting the project. Because the Info Steward concept in Aachen is so successful, the service is to be introduced at other shows in future too.

The ideal show companion: The new-look CHIO Aachen APP

27.06.2023 09:31

The CHIO Aachen APP convinces with a new…


The CHIO Aachen APP convinces with a new design and unites service themes, current infos and entertainment.

The CHIO Aachen app impresses with a new look this year: Its lean design, modern layout and user-friendly operation turn it into the ideal companion for visiting the show at the Aachen Soers and beyond. Up-to-date information on the World Equestrian Festival is summarised in one app all the year round. Developed together with the official technology partner, SAP, the CHIO Aachen app not only offers a live tracking function during the cross-country competition of the SAP-Cup, but also interesting additional features. For example, it not only encompasses the current programme, all news, the site plan as well as the starting lists and results, but also plenty of entertainment too.

In this way, the time in between the classes can be ideally utilised by answering the demanding questions of the CHIO Aachen quiz. And the big treasure hunt across the CHIO Aachen grounds also offers exciting entertainment. Here, the users have to find five places described in the app and scan the QR codes found there. It is certainly worthwhile finding all five places: Two tickets for the masterclass with Gerrit and Lars Nieberg on December 11th at the CHIO Aachen CAMPUS are namely up for grabs as well as a meet-and-greet with the show-jumpers! And whoever has always asked himself how big his own personal CO2 footprint is, can use the CO2 Footprint Calculator, which the CHIO Aachen has developed jointly with SAP, to find precisely that out and at the same time donate towards the “Garden Eden” tree planting project.

The CHIO Aachen app is available as a free download from the Apple Store or from the Google Play Store.

Anniversary, distinction and sweet anticipation: An interview with Prof. Dr. Hermann Bühlbecker prior to the CHIO Aachen 2023

26.06.2023 15:56

When one talks to Prof. Dr. Hermann Bühlbecker…


When one talks to Prof. Dr. Hermann Bühlbecker about the CHIO Aachen, one senses his authentic passion for the event and for the equestrian sport. The sole proprietor of the “Aachen Printen & Chocolate Factory Henry Lambertz” has been a partner of the CHIO Aachen together with his traditional company for 25 years in the meantime. We talked to him about this anniversary, an unexpected distinction and the importance of the opening evening of the CHIO Aachen.

When you look back at the 90s, can you remember the early days of the partnership between Lambertz and the CHIO Aachen?

The CHIO Aachen was always a major sporting event and the comparison tennis and Wimbledon and riding and Aachen is certainly very fitting. And that is where the circle closes slightly, because many years ago I organised a tennis tournament together with Michael Mronz here in Aachen. When he moved over to the equestrian sport at the end of the 90s, the idea cropped up at some time or other that we at Lambertz should become involved in the biggest equestrian show in the world as a sponsor, since it is directly on our doorstep. This has since developed into a 25-year partnership. That is of course lovely and we appreciate this highly at Lambertz too. We are a family company and have always worked sustainably in many areas. This also applies for our sponsoring or events such as the Lambertz Monday Night or the Media Night, which has enabled us to raise the opening day up to a new level.

You mentioned Lambertz, but the CHIO Aachen is also well-known for upholding partnerships for many decades in some cases. How important is such continuity for you as an entrepreneur?

That is a good question. As a family business that dates back to 1688, we are geared up for durability. And also in the currently difficult economic situation, we always explain that we have already survived wars and experienced economically trying times and have still managed to keep the company on the market. I think it is something that guides us – continuity. If one constantly changes the partner for sponsoring activities, it is very difficult to convey a credible usage. And credibility is the decisive keyword here. The former Federal President, Richard von Weizsäcker, once wrote to me: “When I think of Aachen, I think of Charles the Great, Lambertz and the horses.” That is a fantastic combination, which one has to foster. These things are what make a city and they really are indispensable. And I believe the closer and longer one cooperates, the more one can do for all parties concerned, ultimately for the city, for the CHIO Aachen, for the horses, for the company, for the Printen (gingerbread cookies) from Aachen, for the city of Charles the Great.

You mentioned the importance, especially of Lambertz and of the CHIO for the City of Aachen. Let’s take a look at the Tuesday, the Opening Ceremony. The British royal family will be present and will be represented by her Majesty, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne. What significance does this day have for the imperial city? Especially in connection with the Media Night, which always attracts many celebrities to Aachen?

I find this was very frequently underestimated in the past in Aachen. This opening evening is eminently important, because it attracts huge media attention on the following day. When one sees how nicely one connects these things – the spectacular opening show and the Media Night with the fantastic catering and interesting guests. Everything we undertake helps to extend the reach. And if members of royalty and celebrities then come here it helps underline the standing of this show and communicate its significance worldwide. We don’t have to explain this to equestrian sport people! But the equestrian sport is not like football or how tennis was for a long time. Not everyone is familiar with the equestrian sport. And I find we have the task, and especially myself as a supervisory board member, to publicise the significance of the show. This opening evening helps us do this, particularly this year with Great Britain as the partner country. Having the Princess here as a representative of the royal family is a fantastic story. As a former, successful eventer, she is linked very closely to the sport herself and is thus a very credible person to open the CHIO Aachen. That really is something special.

What connections do you have personally with this year’s partner country Great Britain?

In 1993, on the request of Hans-Dietrich Genscher (former Foreign Secretary, editor’s note) I handed over printen dough and marzipan to the now King Charles at Windsor Castle. A few years later we saw each other again at the German Sustainability Award. Hence, we do have a certain connection with the royal family. And beyond this, I am very fond of Great Britain too. I am often in London and have been part of the Elton John Aids Foundation for just under 18 years. The Lambertz company also supplies products to Great Britain of course. As such, Great Britain was and still is one of my two or three desired choices as a CHIO partner country and this fits in well this year.

But the CHIO Aachen 2023 is also special for you for another reason this year. You will be receiving a distinction next week, namely the Prize of the City of Aachen, which is conferred to people every year, who have contributed special services to the CHIO Aachen. What does this award mean for you?

I have indeed in the past been presented with the odd prize or two. From the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, from the federal government or from Bill Clinton. But I must say I have never received a prize from the City of Aachen before (laughs) even though we feel that we have very close ties to Aachen or grew up here. After all the company is actually called “The Aachen Printen & Chocolate Factory Henry Lambertz GmbH & Co. KG” and the product that is associated with Aachen the most is the printe (gingerbread biscuit) from Aachen. It is of course lovely to receive this award – especially for my commitment for the CHIO Aachen. I think, when one has been on board for 25 years and has tried to help out here and there, one is pleased that this is recognised.

The team riders, who win the Lambertz Nations Cup at the CHIO Aachen will no doubt also be delighted. You are a great lover of sport and probably also know quite a bit about dressage after 25 years. Does it interest you much?

Dressage is indeed a sport similar to certain others, such as golf for instance, which one has to understand for it to impassion you. But I was actually interested in equestrian sports before becoming involved at the CHIO Aachen. As a young lad I used to collect the signatures of legends like Hans-Günter Winkler or Piero and Raimondo D’Inzeo. So, I always had that interest, I simply never practiced the sport myself. But I have always found it fabulous to have this event here in Aachen.

We have an incredibly strong field of participants in the dressage this year. Nine riders out of the top ten are competing – that is once again comparable with Wimbledon.

Over the course of the past years it has become really exciting again. I can still recall the years when one already knew in advance that the German team were going to be presented with the Nations Cup. It is thus simply great for the dressage sport that more riders have joined the top ranks. Of course, we still have fantastic riders and they are still among the favourites. But somebody else can always be the winner. And that is the nice thing about the sport, so I am looking forward to the tough competition in the dressage in the individual classification, but in the team competition of course too.

So which discipline you enjoy most is probably a difficult question?

I thought this question might crop up and I had hoped to avoid it (laughs). I don’t like comparing things that cannot easily be compared with each other. I do admit jumping is of course more spectacular. A direct comparison would however be unfair for an allegedly unspectacular discipline. We can count ourselves lucky that we have so many different disciplines in Aachen and that they all attract the well-deserved amount of attention, which is a compliment to the people from Aachen. For example, how many people from Aachen do we see out on the cross-country course on Saturday or when the crowd holds its breath in the Deutsche Bank Stadium and you can almost hear a pin drop – that really is fascinating. We should all appreciate this enthusiasm.

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