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Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.

Norbert Laufs, Chairman of the Sparkasse Aachen revealed that the ceremonial presentation of the special prize in the Sparkassen-Youngster-Cup is his favourite moment at the CHIO Aachen every year. That is not surprising since the winner of this class traditionally wins an aspiring top horse in mini format: A foal with an exquisite pedigree, which after galloping joyfully around the Holy Grass can first of all look forward to a relaxed upbringing on the fields of its new owner. “Standing in the middle of the stadium, feeling the atmosphere and watching the enthusiastic crowd, is an indescribable experience each time anew,” commented Norbert Laufs, and also delights the star-studded field of participants of this competition year after year. Because a glance at the top rankings of the past years shows how popular this competition, which is supported by the Sparkasse and is a fixed item on the CHIO Aachen’s programme, is among the equestrian world elite. Among others, the two later winning pairs of the Rolex Grand Prix, Gerrit Nieberg and Ben as well as Daniel Deußer and Killer Queen, have already notched up top placings on this list. And the Swiss rider, Steve Guerdat, also used the Sparkassen-Youngster-Cup in the past to prepare his later European Champion, Dynamix de Belheme, for greater tasks.

The Sparkasse has already partnered this famous competition since 1981. But the bank’s involvement with Germany’s biggest sports event began much earlier. The Sparkasse already became a sponsor of the World Equestrian Festival in 1954, and has also been sponsoring classes in different disciplines since 1974. The CHIO Aachen and the Sparkasse always was and remains to be a perfect fit. A perfect partnership that has meanwhile excelled for 70 years through its stability, trust and joint passion: offering the people something big, something special. “The CHIO Aachen is a fantastic, international flagship for our city and is not only a top sporting, but also a top social event here in our region,” stated Norbert Laufs, who also emphasised that promoting the youth and mass sports is also a matter of great importance to the traditional bank. For example, the Sparkasse also supported the staging of the German Youth Championships in the years 2010 and 2017. And the Sparkasse has also helped vaulting become a fixed part of the schedule at the CHIO Aachen. Since 2007, the world’s best vaulters have been traditionally honoured with the Prize of Sparkasse on the first weekend of the show.

“The sweet anticipation increases every day,” said Norbert Laufs shortly before the start of the CHIO Aachen 2024. And once again the Chairman of the Sparkasse Aachen is particularly looking forward to the prize-giving ceremony of the Sparkassen-Youngster-Cup, when the victorious rider will, also in this anniversary year, be delighted to win a fabulous foal again.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

We are offering you rights-free and cost-free video material for the CHIO Aachen 2024. The prerequisite for the free use of the material is up-to-date, event-related and exclusively editorial reporting.

An overview of our offer:

– 3-5min rough cut of the most important tests of the day (free of charge for daily, event-related reporting of up to 90 seconds)

– Completed video news report with English voice-over, approx. 2-3 min (also as youtube embed code)

– Short social media clips (e.g. emotions, curiosities), can be uploaded to your own channel with #chioaachen

The video material is made available via our Scoopa download platform. We will be happy to send you the access data.

Contact:

Saskia Stahl-Farrell
+49 (0) 241-9171186
saskia.stahl@chioaachen.de

In addition, you will find daily updated radio reports for download on our press platform under Downloads. Here you can also download current statistics, graphics, interviews, background information and interesting facts from the CHIO Aachen database on a daily basis.

#chioaachen
CHIO Aachen website

Everyone was amazed when the CHIO Aachen mascot, Karli, suddenly turned into a conductor and dancer and transformed the Elisengarten in Aachen into an open-air concert stage together with four musicians from the Aachen Symphony Orchestra. “Viva España” gave an impressive preview of what awaits the visitors next week at the “Horse & Symphony”. The concert traditionally forms the breath-taking prelude of the CHIO Aachen. These two spectacular evenings in the Deutsche Bank Stadium live from the fascinating interplay between the Aachen Symphony Orchestra and a unique horse show. This year the theme is history and heroes. On June 28^th and 29^th, the “Horse & Symphony” will exclusively revolve around the “100 year equestrian show history” at the Aachen Soers. And Spain plays a key role here too. In 2001, the tradition of having a partner country at the CHIO Aachen began, namely with Spain. Together with the horse show star, Laury Tisseur, the horse trainer, show rider and actress, Kenzie Dysli, will whisk the visitors off back there, or more precisely to wonderful Andalusia.

The journey through the early years of Aachen’s equestrian show history also holds further highlights in store for the spectators. For example, among others the German four-in-hand drivers, Michael Freund and Daniel Würgler, will enchant the crowd with a show performance in the sand of the Deutsche Bank Stadium, which will bring the driving sport from the Forest of Aachen to life again. Another true crowd-puller will also be performing at the “Horse & Symphony”: Ingrid Klimke. Together with her daughter, Greta Busacker, the Master of Riding will present a pas de deux in remembrance of their father and grandfather, Dr. Reiner Klimke. The first note of the popular format will ring out at 8.30 p.m. on June 28^th and 29^th respectively, conducted by Christopher Ward, the General Music Director of the City of Aachen.

Tickets for the “Horse & Symphony” concert are available online, from the hotline: +49-(0)241-917-1111 and from the ticket office at the showgrounds.

The “Moments of Luck” charity cooperation between the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV) and the German Curatorship for Therapeutic Riding (DKThR) in aid of therapeutic riding and riding for the disabled has been an integral part of the World Equestrian Festival since 1999. Following tradition, donations will be collected once again this year during Soers Sunday. The entire proceeds will be donated to the campaign.

The ALRV makes a clear statement for inclusion with its long-standing cooperation with the DKThR. Every person is quite naturally included in everything at the CHIO Aachen – whether they have a disability or not. Everyone is allowed to take part, everyone can interact if they want to. Social contacts are promoted here and participation is lived out.

Therapeutic riding and riding for the disabled are offered a stage in Aachen year after year. The CHIO visitors can experience up close the effect horses have on people. In addition to relief, promotion and prevention, horses bestow courage and joie de vivre.

The campaign kicks off with the collection during the Ecumenical Service in the Deutsche Bank Stadium on Soers Sunday, the official Open Day (June 30^th, starting at 11.30 a.m.), announced by Jaycen Schlesinger. The 16-year-old was born with Down Syndrome and his love for horses developed before he was even able to walk. At birth he was given the pony “Glücksbär“ (Lucky Bear). The two of them are meanwhile inseparable and have become real stars on Instagram and serve as role models for an entire community.

During the afternoon programme, at around 1.40 p.m. the agenda continues on the big jumping warm-up arena with “Therapeutic Riding in the land of unlimited opportunities.” As “Moments of Luck” the therapy centres from the region of Aachen will present themselves and their work. On board: Lohner Hof Riding & Therapy Centre (Eschweiler), Abenteuerland Riding Therapy Centre (Stolberg), Rattenhaus Riding School (Eynatten/Belgium) and Kid`s auf Trab, Centre for Therapeutic Riding (Stolberg).

The team of the DKThR looks forward to plenty of visitors throughout the whole of Soers Sunday at the donation and information desk near to the main entrance. Beyond this, donation boxes will be on display at the CHIO info desks throughout the whole week of the show.

Half of the donations that are collected in the scope of the “Moments of Luck” charity campaign will go to the German Curatorship for Therapeutic Riding and will be implemented for the association’s Children Support Fund. The rest will be divided up between the four curatorship-approved therapy centres in and around Aachen.

The DKThR is a non-profit making association for the promotion of therapeutic riding (horse-based therapy, support and sport). It has been the key point of contact for all questions on this topic for over 50 years and is the oldest association of its kind in the world.

For further information see: www.dkthr.de

When on Thursday evening the floodlights are switched on, the spectators flood into the Main Stadium and you can feel the tension in the air at the Soers, traditionally one of the absolute highlights of the CHIO Aachen is about to commence: the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup. Anyone, who has ever experienced this ‘international game’ of the show-jumpers live, is fascinated by the fantastic atmosphere, but also by the fairness of the fans. 40,000 in number, they hold their breath when the pole rocks, but doesn’t fall and they cheer every horse and rider that reaches the finish line clear. Standing ovations, rhythmic applause and a sea of waving flags all-inclusive.

Mercedes-Benz has partnered this worldwide famous class now since 1981 already. However, the car manufacturer from Stuttgart’s commitment at the World Equestrian Festival reaches much further back than that. The luxury automobile brand was already represented with an advertisement in the programme in the 1920s, when the first events were staged on the “racetrack at Soerserweg near Aachen”. The CHIO Aachen and Mercedes-Benz, they were already a fantastic match back then and still are today. A perfect partnership that grew together from a joint passion: the fascination for horsepower. And in this way Mercedes-Benz has been part of the CHIO Aachen since its inception through to this very day, initially with advertisements placed by the local subsidiary and since 1954 as an official sponsor and for some time now as the General Sponsor. And that is not all: Today, the luxury automobile brand is omnipresent at the traditional showgrounds. For example, not only is one of the stands in the Main Stadium named after it: the Mercedes-Benz Stand, the company has also been responsible for providing the shuttle service for athletes and guests at the CHIO Aachen since the 1990s. And the exhibition space in the CHIO Aachen Village, right next to the main entrance, is traditionally a classic and a crowd-puller.

Whereby for Mercedes-Benz it is not only the reputation of Germany’s biggest sporting event that is decisive for the unique partnership: “What distinguishes the CHIO Aachen, has not changed over the course of time and is a perfect fit with our company,” explained the Chief Executive Officer of the Mercedes-Benz Group, Ola Källenius. “The permanent strive for further development, combined with sensitivity for tradition and values, plus that special atmosphere, the proximity to the spectators that one senses every day at the grounds. That is unique.” And the crowd will definitely create that magnificent atmosphere on the evening of July 4^th again. Namely when the floodlight is switched on in the Main Stadium and the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup begins.

Wednesday evening at the CHIO Aachen, the floodlights are switched on, the Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe begins. When the best horses and riders in the world are competing on the Holy Grass in the Main Stadium this year, it will be easier for blind and visually impaired people to take part in one of the most famous jumping classes on the equestrian sport circuit. Because for the first time the CHIO Aachen is also offering a professional audio description for this class.

This service entails offering blind and visually impaired people a description of what is happening. A speaker translates his impressions of the images in explanatory language. The team of HörMal Audiodeskription will describe two jumping competitions on that day. In addition to the Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe in the evening, the inclusive offer will also be available for the Prize of StädteRegion Aachen in memory of Landrat Hermann-Josef Pütz in the afternoon. This will allow blind and visually impaired guests to experience the happenings up close and learn for instance whether a pole has fallen and how well the horse and rider are harmonising together.

A further highlight is a guided tour of the grounds through the CHIO Aachen Village with its approx. 230 exhibitors. Here, HörMal will provide an audio description about the horse and its equipment for all blind or visually impaired interested parties. For example, the participants will be allowed to touch bridles and saddles and will have these explained to them. Furthermore the participants will learn interesting details about the stadium and about the history of the CHIO Aachen.

“Implementing audio descriptions is an important step on the way to more accessibility and an integral part of our overall strategy for social sustainability,” emphasized Philip Erbers, board member of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein. To enable more people to participate in the World Equestrian Festival, the audio description offer is to be further expanded over the coming years.

All information and tickets are available here. (LINK: https://www.hoermal-audio.org/events/chio-aachen-mit-audiodeskription/)