Aachen, October 14th, 2005

10.000 Euro for Sport for the Disabled
ALRV continues its commitment: collecting for therapeutic riding at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2005

"Without help like this nothing happens." Gerda Pleitgen, chairman of the Society for the promotion of sport for the disabled, is thrilled. Michael Mronz, Managing Director of the Aachener Reitturnier GmbH presented her with a cheque of over 10,000 euros. The money was raised during the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2005. "The Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein is an important partner, who enables the support of many athletes," explains Gerda Pleitgen.
Pleitgen and Mronz used the Gala Night of Paralympics last weekend in the Düsseldorf City Hall, to call attention to therapeutic riding. "The positive attitude of disabled athletes," said Michael Mronz to host Peter Großmann of ARD Breakfast TV, "should be an example to us all. This "joie de vivre" is confirmation for the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV) that "our committment is going in the right direction," said Mronz.
For several years the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV) has been involved in sport for the disabled. Over 50,000 euros has been raised for all kinds of projects. "On behalf of all disabled sporters, who profit from the support of the ALRV, I say a warm thank you," said Gerda Pleitgen.
With money, made available by the ALRV, athletes were able to participate in the last Paralympics in Athens. However, the ALRV is not only involved in top sport, but also in popular sport and therapy. "We like to use the CHIO with its over 300,000 visitors, to display a wide range of therapeutic riding," explains Mronz. Disabled athletes as well as participants from the field of horse therapy are integrated in the social events of the CHIO Aachen. On top of that money is raised during the church service on Soerser Sunday, and also during the tournament.
The possibilities and results of therapeutic riding are impressive. "Horses serve as educators, as physiotherapists and even psychotherapists," says Mronz. The positive effect of riding is proven and a stimulation for the ALRV, to be involved in the future. "we as organisers like to take a social responsiblity," says Mronz.
The World Equestrian Games 2006 (20 August - 3 September) should especially be used, to call attention to therapeutic riding and its many possibilities. Also after the WEG, the ALRV will continue its commitment to sport for the disabled and therapeutic riding.

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