Aachen, April 4th, 2006




From Hans Günter Winkler to Elvis Presley
CHIO 2006 Opening Ceremony will be a nostalgic journey into the past

Many will say, "those were the days", when black and white films were still shown on TV and Elvis Presley was shaking his still lean hips. And - much more exciting for equestrian fans - when Hans Günter Winkler or Fritz Thiedemann were riding in the arena at the Aachen Soers. There's going to be a huge get-together at the big Opening Ceremony of this year's World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2006 (May 17th-21st), on Wednesday, May 17th, commencing at 6 pm. Either on the video screens or, as in the case of Hans Günter Winkler, live in the main stadium.
"It is going to be a nostalgic journey into the past, which is intended to incite many emotions and memories", Frank Kemperman, General Manager of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV) says in anticipation. Tournament highlights from 51 years - since the first (Show-jumping) WEG at the Soers in 1955 - will allow the visitors to "experience equestrian history". Tickets are available from +49-(0)241-917-1111 or online at www.chioaachen.de. It is going to be a spirited and eventful spectacle, of course with lots of horses, historical costumes and old friends. Ludger Beerbaum and Isabell Werth with their successful mounts Ratina and Gigolo, 50 children on ponies, old hackneys and platform carriages as well as plenty of old-timers and equestrian legends - from Nelson Pessoa to Piero d´Inzeo - are guaranteed to result in endless "Do you remembers" from the crowds. Accompanied by extracts of their biggest victories on the big screen. Old competitions will be revived too. Does anyone still remember pair jumping, where the riders had to jump the fences synchronously? Or classic side-saddle dressage competitions? Furthermore, the pop singer from Düren, Margot Eskens, will be taking the visitors back to the fifties and sixties with a medley of her greatest musical hits. Before, in the ensuing days, equestrian history is written again in Aachen - until May 21st at the CHIO 2006. Ticket hotline for the CHIO 2006 (May 17th-21st): +49-(0)-241-917-1111 or here.