Effective 31 March 2027, Michael Mronz will step down as General Manager of the Aachener Reitturnier GmbH (ART). Since 1997—a span of 30 years—he has shaped the marketing of the CHIO Aachen. Together with the teams at ART and the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV), as well as long-standing partners, he has helped position the World Equestrian Festival as one of the best-known and most significant events in international equestrian sports. Now, after this successful and eventful period, the time has come for him personally to pass the reins.

Three decades, more than 30 international events, and many special moments: Michael Mronz has experienced and helped shape so much at the Aachen Soers. Among the highlights, in addition to the annual CHIO Aachen, are two World Championships—the 2006 World Equestrian Games and the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026—as well as the FEI European Championships 2015. For his dedication as a Member and Spokesperson of the Organising Committee for the 2006 World Equestrian Games, the trade journal Horizont Sportbusiness honoured him that same year as “Sports Manager of the Year 2006.”

At the CHIO Aachen, Michael Mronz was not only focused on organising a top-class event. He also further developed the presentation and marketing of the tournament—and in doing so, forged connections with figures and topics from the worlds of business, politics, and entertainment.

Many ideas that emerged during his tenure have also left their mark on other international equestrian events. For his contributions to equestrian sports, Mronz was awarded the German Equestrian Cross in Gold—the highest honour in German equestrian sports—by Pferdesport Deutschland during the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026.

“A special place in my heart”

Mronz describes the move to step down as a deliberate and well-prepared decision: “Together with a great team and thanks to the long-standing support of our reliable partners, we have succeeded in shaping the CHIO Aachen brand. After 30 years in office, including two World Championships and one European Championship, the time has now come for me to pass the baton. I would like to sincerely thank my many colleagues who have accompanied me over the years, and I wish the entire team of ART and ALRV continued success on their journey ahead. Aachen will, of course, always hold a special place in my heart.” Last year, Michael Mronz, together with the President of ALRV Stefanie Peters, held discussions about the company’s medium- and long-term future. Mronz made the decision to step down next year this past summer.

Since 1997, the CHIO Aachen has undergone significant development in many areas. Mronz oversaw and helped shape these changes together with a strong team from ART and ALRV during three ALRV presidencies. During the tenure of Klaus Pavel, President of ALRV from 1993 to 2010, ART was established as a dedicated structure for marketing the tournament. The Main Stadium was expanded, floodlights were installed, and the Turkish Airlines Grand Stand was built.

The number of disciplines grew from three to five, and the tournament expanded from six days to ten. In 1998, the popular “Soers Sunday”, an open day, made its debut and has been an integral part of the programme ever since. In 2006, Aachen hosted the World Equestrian Games—the first-ever World Equestrian Championships to break even financially. Under Carl Meulenbergh, President of ALRV from 2010 to 2020, the FEI European Championships—and thus another major championship—came to Aachen in 2015. The idea of expanding the grounds was also advanced during this time. Under Stefanie Peters, who has led the ALRV since 2020, the CHIO Aachen CAMPUS was established as a year-round development programme for youth and up-and-coming riders. During her Presidency, Aachen secured the FEI World Championships 2026—from the successful bid through planning to the outstanding execution. For the first time at these World Championships, Para Dressage took place at the Allianz Park. Starting in 2027, it will be a permanent part of the CHIO Aachen as the sixth discipline. In 2026, the stables were also modernized and expanded.

Stefanie Peters, President of the ALRV: “Michael Mronz deserves great respect for this decision and for his many contributions to our sport. The CHIO Aachen would not be where it is today without Michael Mronz. We owe him a great deal and wish him all the very best for his future endeavours.”

The CHIO Aachen is well-positioned for the future. Michael Mronz is handing over with a very strong lineup: Key contracts with sponsors and partners have been proactively extended for the medium and long term. This provides the World Equestrian Festival with a reliable foundation for the coming years.

Succession already settled

Mronz’s successor at Aachener Reitturnier GmbH has already been determined. Philip Erbers, who currently serves as a Member of the Managing Board at ALRV, will become the new General Manager of ART. Erbers previously worked at ART from 2015 to 2021 before becoming a Member of the Managing Board at ALRV in 2022.