Chris Burton "To win Aachen; I think that's something I'll remember forever"
Aah Aachen; every year thousands of people from all over the world head to Aachen for the World Equestrian Festival, an equestrian extravaganza that, despite having adopted the name only recently (1992), has a tradition that spans almost a century.
The very town it is held in is steeped in equestrian history. Legend has it that Charlemagne’s horse pawed free a hot spring which established Aachen as a spa town and the oldest evidence of life in the area was a wild horse. The fossil skeleton of a wild horse, going back 30,000 years was uncovered during canal construction in the 1950’s and is part of the equine history which has made Aachen the ‘city of horses’
The huge main stadium runs day and evening classes and is packed with spectators
More recently the facilities at the showgrounds of Soers, the location for the World Equestrian Festival to the north of Aachen, were upgraded and improved for the 2006 World Equestrian Games. Nearly 18 million Euros were invested in the site leading up to the 2006 WEG providing new facilities and an upgraded venue capable of seating 60,000 in three stadiums.
The main stadium with two large grandstands provides undercover seating (Aachen is notorious for rain) looking out on to a vast, open, grass arena with superb footing, supposedly able to withstand any and all circumstances.
The stadiums seen from the cross country course
The comfort of the horses was not forgotten when the improvements were made and Aachen boasts over 400 permanent stables plus an ultra modern veterinary centre. Everything is within easy walking distance on beautifully maintained pathways through elegant surroundings. With the creation of a white tented trade stand city around the arena providing stylish goods, the ultimate accessories and, of course, large glasses of beer, it feels like a microcosm of a perfect world.Everything you could ever need or want is at Aachen.
However, the modern improvements blend well with tradition. At the close of each Festival there is the ‘Farewell to Nations’ where the entire stadium is filled with spectators waving white handkerchiefs to farewell the riders until the next year. It is an emotional scene (hence the hankies maybe?) and a great experience to be a part of.
Just make sure you are well dressed as Aachen spectators are some of the most elegant people you will ever see at an equestrian show. Men in dapper suits and shiny shoes (even on cross country day), ladies in discreet but effective hats, subtle but expensive jewellery and of course, the obligatory polo size brolly, furled but ready to be whisked out in an instant.
Driving is very popular in Germany and Australia excells at it!
The CHIO (known as ‘the Tschio’ in Aachen) caters for fans of all disciplines and the event features championships in vaulting, driving, show jumping, dressage and eventing. In a non-Championship year such as this (i.e. no Olympic or World Equestrian Games) Aachen provides the most significant eventing team test, despite the fact it is only held at 3* level. The dressage is held in the Deutsche Bank arena and show jumping in the main stadium, providing plenty of atmosphere and teams from Australia, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, the United States and Sweden will be competing.
The cross country course, which consists of 35 obstacles and runs just under four kilometres is only a short walk from the main stadium and the natural incline provides some good viewing spots. Last year Chris Burton won the Individual title of the DHL Prize on his ‘bloody German horse’ and will be back again this year to defend the title along with his Australian team mates for the FEI Nations Cup.
Chris Burton will be part of the Australian squad in Aachen again this year
We’ll be bringing you the cross country photo gallery of the Aachen course and Libby Law will be bringing us photo galleries from Aachen each day from Wednesday 26th to Sunday 30th, providing a ring side seat for those who cannot be there. The eventing competition takes place on Friday 28th (dressage during the day and show jumping starting at 6:15 pm in the Main Stadium) and Saturday 29th (cross country starting at 10am). We’ll also be bringing you the highlights from the other disciplines each day and those candid shots that make you feel as if you were there
While we’re waiting for the 2013 World Equestrian Festival to start, let’s look back at last year
