CHIO AACHEN
World Equestrian Festival


June 27th - July 6th, 2025

Wherever one looked in Aachen’s Elisengarten, the people were simply mesmerised: When the CHIO Aachen mascot, Karli, turned the centrally located, small urban park into an open-air concert stage together with four musicians from Aachen’s symphony orchestra without further ado, on Saturday, the Öcher (inhabitants of Aachen) and the tourists were taken totally by surprise. Taking on the role of conductor and dancer, Karli created a very special  moment together with the musicians. An impressive foretaste of what awaits the spectators during the “Horse & Symphony” concert next weekend.

The “Moments of Luck” charity cooperation between the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV) and the German Curatorship for Therapeutic Riding (DKThR) in aid of therapeutic riding and riding for the disabled has been an integral part of the World Equestrian Festival since 1999. Following tradition, donations will be collected once again this year during Soers Sunday. The entire proceeds will be donated to the campaign.

President of the Bundestag, Julia Klöckner; Dr. Karsten Wildberger – Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and State Modernisation; DFB Managing Director, Andreas Rettig; Andrew Parsons (President of the International Paralympic Committee); Dr. Sebastian C. Schulte (Chairman of DEUTZ AG); Dr. Steffen Merkel (DFL Managing Director), Dr. Rob Smith (CEO of the KION Group AG); Michal Spiller (Managing Director, Lindt & Sprüngli GmbH); Fabian Kienbaum (Managing Partner of Kienbaum AG); Frank Blase (igus GmbH CEO); as well as Professor Dr. Malte Brettel from the RWTH Aachen – and many more. The list of speakers and visitors for the chiotec Congress (July 2nd, 2025) reads like the Who’s Who of the sport, business and sociopolitical scene. The aim of the congress is to develop innovative solutions for a sustainable and efficient future together with representatives from the fields of sport, business, politics, research and investors. The event is organised by the Real Reactions Company, the RWTH Aachen and the CHIO Aachen CAMPUS.

With her gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Julia Krajewski made history in 2021. It was a great triumph, but the 36-year-old has also experienced numerous setbacks in her impressive career. In the new episode of the CHIO Aachen Podcast, she talks about the extraordinary moments - both positive and negative - and reveals why her coach made her cry as a young rider and what the secret to efficient mucking out is.

Her Royal Highness, Elena de Borbón, Infanta of Spain, will be at the World Equestrian Festival. The sister of King Felipe VI will take part in the reception of the partner country on Aachen's market square among other events.

What distinguishes an outstanding photo? Is it the motif captured, the technical perfection, the unique moment or perhaps the special atmosphere it conveys? In the run-up to the CHIO Aachen, a renowned jury is faced with the exciting task of answering this question.

In the most recent edition of the CHIO Aachen Magazine, the defending champion in the Prize of Sparkasse, the multiple World and European Champion in vaulting, Kathrin Meyer, takes you on a fascinating journey around her hometown. Curious? You can see the extraordinary snapshots with a WOW effect in the brand new edition of the CHIO Aachen magazine.

Over 40 journalists and onliners, social media stars and media companies have submitted entries – three of them are now nominated for “The Silver Horse”.