The secret is revealed: Spain is the official partner country of the World Equestrian Festival, the CHIO Aachen 2025. Music star Alvaro Soler, amongst others, has announced his attendance at the Opening Ceremony. The motto is: ‘Hola España’.
When fiery flamenco dancers together with CHIO mascot Karli invite you to Jamón Ibérico and tapas, the rhythmic sound of castanets can be heard from afar and the legendary ‘La Rojigualda’ adorns the entrance, it is not far to lively fiestas, the typical Iberian attitude to life and of course lots of music: Yes, Spain is the partner country at this year’s CHIO Aachen. Wait, hasn’t that been the case in the past? That’s right! In 2001, a new tradition was created at the CHIO Aachen. For the first time in the history of the show, a partner country was presented for the World Equestrian Festival. And that was? Exactly! Spain! 24 years later, the CHIO Aachen can now look forward to a revival. ‘Spain is of course a very special partner country for us,’ said a delighted Birgit Rosenberg, Member of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein Managing Board, during the official announcement on Wednesday afternoon. ‘The country has everything it needs to inspire the visitors at the CHIO Aachen 2025: a lively culture, captivating music and naturally magnificent horses,’ said Rosenberg, who also revealed the motto for the upcoming partner country: ‘Hola España.’
For the big show before the big sport, the traditional Opening Ceremony at the World Equestrian Festival, the organisers, together with this year’s partner country, are promising a spectacular evening. Because CHIO Aachen – this no longer only means world-class equestrian sport, but also world-class entertainment. The traditional Opening Ceremony, which will be shown live on home screens from 8.15 p.m. thanks to WDR, will be presented as a perfect entertainment show in the Main Stadium, 90 minutes long, breathtaking and under floodlights. In terms of theme, it is traditionally closely linked to the partner country. And the kingdom, located on the Iberian Peninsula, offers a huge and diverse range of historical, cultural and modern riches, which will transform Aachen’s main stadium into a huge fiesta on the evening of July 1st. Among others, the German-Spanish music star Alvaro Soler will be responsible for this. Hardly any other artist is associated with summer and good humour as much as the 33-year-old, who will turn Aachen’s main stadium into a real party mile with his world hits. Especially great: as an extra treat for the spectators on site, Alvaro Soler, whose Spanish songs are in constant rotation in German playlists, will play an encore or two after the end of the official part.
But that’s not all. When you think of Spain, Andalusian horses naturally spring to mind. Proud and graceful. The horses of kings. And so the horses of ‘Cordoba Ecuestre’ will be part of the opening ceremony, transporting spectators into a magical world that reflects all the beauty, intelligence and noble spirit of these horses and the skills of their riders. ‘It is a great honour for us to be part of this magnificent event,’ says the director of the Royal Riding School in Cordoba, Javier Gómez, who promises a spectacular programme. However, the performance with traditional horses and lots of dancing and music will be just one of the major highlights on the evening of July 1st. ‘When I think of Spain, I immediately think of the typical Spanish temperament and the joy of life of the people, which has to be staged,’ said Uwe Brandt, who has been supporting the CHIO Aachen team since 2015 as the creative head in terms of choreography, dramaturgy and staging.
However, Spain will not only characterise the Opening Ceremony this summer, but the entire CHIO Aachen. The partner country will also be an essential part of the ‘Horse & Symphony’ concert. And there is also news in this context: The traditional interplay between the Aachen Symphony Orchestra and a unique horse show has been very well received by the CHIO Aachen fans, the demand for tickets is high. ‘So much so that we are happy to accommodate our visitors and offer an additional date,’ said Birgit Rosenberg about the breathtaking event at the start of Germany’s biggest sporting event, which will now take place not just on one, but on two evenings (27th and 28th June).
Furthermore, the typical Spanish flair will be present throughout the show grounds – amongst others with a colourful sea of flowers, reminiscent of the famous Cordobese patios – as well as in the city itself: On Monday, 30th June, there will be the traditional reception of the partner country at the Aachen market.
When fiery flamenco dancers together with CHIO mascot Karli invite you to Jamón Ibérico and tapas, the rhythmic sound of castanets can be heard from afar and the legendary ‘La Rojigualda’ adorns the entrance, it is not far to lively fiestas, the typical Iberian attitude to life and of course lots of music: Yes, Spain is the partner country at this year’s CHIO Aachen. Wait, hasn’t that been the case in the past? That’s right! In 2001, a new tradition was created at the CHIO Aachen. For the first time in the history of the show, a partner country was presented for the World Equestrian Festival. And that was? Exactly! Spain! 24 years later, the CHIO Aachen can now look forward to a revival. ‘Spain is of course a very special partner country for us,’ said a delighted Birgit Rosenberg, Member of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein Managing Board, during the official announcement on Wednesday afternoon. ‘The country has everything it needs to inspire the visitors at the CHIO Aachen 2025: a lively culture, captivating music and naturally magnificent horses,’ said Rosenberg, who also revealed the motto for the upcoming partner country: ‘Hola España.’
For the big show before the big sport, the traditional Opening Ceremony at the World Equestrian Festival, the organisers, together with this year’s partner country, are promising a spectacular evening. Because CHIO Aachen – this no longer only means world-class equestrian sport, but also world-class entertainment. The traditional Opening Ceremony, which will be shown live on home screens from 8.15 p.m. thanks to WDR, will be presented as a perfect entertainment show in the Main Stadium, 90 minutes long, breathtaking and under floodlights. In terms of theme, it is traditionally closely linked to the partner country. And the kingdom, located on the Iberian Peninsula, offers a huge and diverse range of historical, cultural and modern riches, which will transform Aachen’s main stadium into a huge fiesta on the evening of July 1st. Among others, the German-Spanish music star Alvaro Soler will be responsible for this. Hardly any other artist is associated with summer and good humour as much as the 33-year-old, who will turn Aachen’s main stadium into a real party mile with his world hits. Especially great: as an extra treat for the spectators on site, Alvaro Soler, whose Spanish songs are in constant rotation in German playlists, will play an encore or two after the end of the official part.
But that’s not all. When you think of Spain, Andalusian horses naturally spring to mind. Proud and graceful. The horses of kings. And so the horses of ‘Cordoba Ecuestre’ will be part of the opening ceremony, transporting spectators into a magical world that reflects all the beauty, intelligence and noble spirit of these horses and the skills of their riders. ‘It is a great honour for us to be part of this magnificent event,’ says the director of the Royal Riding School in Cordoba, Javier Gómez, who promises a spectacular programme. However, the performance with traditional horses and lots of dancing and music will be just one of the major highlights on the evening of July 1st. ‘When I think of Spain, I immediately think of the typical Spanish temperament and the joy of life of the people, which has to be staged,’ said Uwe Brandt, who has been supporting the CHIO Aachen team since 2015 as the creative head in terms of choreography, dramaturgy and staging.
However, Spain will not only characterise the Opening Ceremony this summer, but the entire CHIO Aachen. The partner country will also be an essential part of the ‘Horse & Symphony’ concert. And there is also news in this context: The traditional interplay between the Aachen Symphony Orchestra and a unique horse show has been very well received by the CHIO Aachen fans, the demand for tickets is high. ‘So much so that we are happy to accommodate our visitors and offer an additional date,’ said Birgit Rosenberg about the breathtaking event at the start of Germany’s biggest sporting event, which will now take place not just on one, but on two evenings (27th and 28th June).
Furthermore, the typical Spanish flair will be present throughout the show grounds – amongst others with a colourful sea of flowers, reminiscent of the famous Cordobese patios – as well as in the city itself: On Monday, 30th June, there will be the traditional reception of the partner country at the Aachen market.