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July 11th, 2010

A journey through the American continent
Anky van Grunsven as a Western lady in the “Horse & Symphony“ concert in the Deutsche Bank Stadium

Impressive equestrian sport united with the atmospheric live music of the Aachen Symphony Orchestra: That is “Horse & Symphony”, the concert in the Deutsche Bank Stadium, which traditionally takes place at the start of the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen, and which enthrals the spectators. Acrobatic wheels and spectacular vaulting displays, fantastic carriages and Anky van Grunsven as a Western lady, as well as horses that dance the tango – 5,000 spectators went home thrilled in the late hours of Saturday evening.

The concert’s theme “spread right across the continent of America” in the completely sold-out arena. The performing show groups were accompanied by the Aachen Symphony Orchestra under the direction of the Assistant Music Director, Daniel Jakobi. The star of the evening was however Anky van Grunsven. The three-time Olympic gold medallist and many-time World and European Dressage Champion appeared as a Western lady, presenting a fast and breathtaking “Western Dressage“. Her performance was accompanied by Leonard Bernsteins’ musical piece “I want to be in America“ from the musical “West Side Story“.

South America was represented twice – first of all in the form of a super show programme with tango, gauchos and co. – and secondly because the intermediate result of the World Cup game between Germany and Uruguay was repeatedly announced during the breaks, “for the husbands here in the stadium” joked the host, Volker Raulff. The South American musical part opened with the fiery and rhythmic beats of “Ritmo de los Caballos”. One automatically awaits the tango as soon as one hears this song. With their dressage performance the many-time vaulting World Champion Kai Vorberg and the dressage rider from Aachen, Jana Kun, proved that one can also dance the tango with horses – with the tango “La Cumparsita“ by Garardo Matos Rodriguez in the midst of the vibrant metropolis Buenos Aires.

The “red devils”, a team comprising of unicycles and ponies, bid “Welcome to America” with Philip Sousas’ “Washington Post March”. The partner state North-Rhine Westphalia was also represented, accompanied by the film music from “Star Wars”. The Warendorf State Stud performed among others a sulky quadrille, the highlight at the end was a “sitting” cart horse. But the concert also included further glamorous elements. For instance the tenor Louis Kim created a goose bump atmosphere with his version of “O sole Mio” – the singer from Korea even sang the second verse in Korean. The riders from the Aachen-based Dahmen Dressage Stables and the dancers from the Ferberberg Ballet School added a touch of Broadway with George Gershwin’s overture from the musical “Girl Crazy“. The “Thunderguys” made a racy appearance with their “Barrel Race“. Speed, verve and agility – these words best describe the Thunderguys. Louis Kim’s also gave an impressive performance of the song “Maria“ from the musical “West Side Story“, accompanied by an acrobatic wheel performance and a vaulting display by Pia Engelberty. Then at the end, the lights were turned out and torches were lit! Armed with their torches the City Riders of Aachen delivered a unique light show in the Deutsche Bank Stadium. After the Aachen Symphony Orchestra set the scene with the evergreen “New York, New York“,Jana Kun and Tim Keersmaekers appeared in the saddle in sensational costumes. 

This year the exceptional evening event was staged for the sixth time during the CHIO Aachen. Months of rehearsal are necessary prior to the concert. Renate Dahmen, the Director of the Dahmen Dressage and Training Stables was once again responsible for the magnificent choreography work and stunning show performances.
In line with tradition the concert was also in aid of a good cause since part of the proceeds were donated to UNICEF. So, 11,200 Euros from the evening’s ticket sales went to the earthquake victims in Haiti. Klaus Pavel, President of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein, presented the cheque to the Vice Chairman of UNICEF, Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff.

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