CHIO Aachen 2013: Denmark is the partner country of the World Equestrian Festival
Denmark is the official partner country of the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2013 (June 21st-30th). Princess Benedikte of Denmark presented the partnership at a reception in the Danish Embassy in Berlin on Wednesday evening.
“We are happy and proud that our beautiful country is going to be the partner of the world’s largest equestrian sport event,” her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte of Denmark told the just under 100 guests invited to the Danish Embassy. Princess Benedikte has known the CHIO Aachen for many years and is always impressed by the atmosphere at the traditional showgrounds at the Soers in Aachen: “The atmosphere is unique and very international. The CHIO Aachen really is a World Festival.” Her daughter, Nathalie Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, who is a very successful dressage rider, represents Denmark – so she sees the CHIO from the perspective of the competitors: “It is always a great experience – for us riders as well as for the horses. Being able to compete in Aachen is something very special.”
The more than 350,000 visitors, who make their way to the CHIO Aachen every year, are what turn the event into a unique experience. “Every athlete is celebrated here, regardless of whether they win or whether they come last, it is simply unparalleled,” commented Michael Mronz, General Manager of the Aachener Reitturnier GmbH on the special ambiance. “Together with this fantastic audience we are looking forward to our Danish friends,” stated Carl Meulenbergh, President of the organising company, the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V.. And their Chairman, Frank Kemperman, aroused our curiosity: Both the Royal Hussar Regiment and the Music Corps of the Royal Household Calvary will be visiting the Soers in June. Kemperman also announced the participation of the famous Danish warmbloods and the golden royal carriage. Horses, riders and carriages will particularly turn the Opening Ceremony on June 25th into a memorable experience (tickets are available from www.chioaachen.de or via the hotline on +49-(0)241-917-1111).
The guests at the reception also discovered something else: “The North Sea is not cold in Denmark, it is fresh. And Copenhagen is not cold, it is cool,” joked Lars Ramme Nielsen, who in his capacity as the German Director of “VisitDenmark“ presented the economic/cultural supporting programme. Among others the Northern Europeans will be bringing an original Danish holiday home with them to the Soers. “Lots of work, lots of fun” – is how René Crone, Director of Crone & Co., summed up the current status of the preparations. The agency Crone & Co. developed the “Experience Denmark” concept.