The World Equestrian Festival stands for world-class sport, but above all for the biggest folk and family festival in the region. Soers Sunday, the traditional Open Day, underlined precisely that.

“Bright sunshine and beaming faces wherever you look. The CHIO Aachen couldn’t have got off to a better start,” said Philip Erbers, member of the board of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV), organisers of the event. He was “totally satisfied with a super, first weekend.” 45,000 visitors attended the two “Horse & Symphony” concerts, the vaulting and the Open Day, 30,000 visited Soers Sunday alone.

Curious visitors were queuing along the Albert-Servais-Allee even before the doors officially opened at 10 a.m. And they were amazed. Mounted soldiers from the Household Cavalry, one only sees otherwise in the magnificent parades through London’s streets, were waiting at the main entrance to greet them. And the men in the traditional uniforms were the first popular photo motif at the showgrounds. But there are plenty of others this year spread across the grounds, which all have the same theme: This year’s partner country: Great Britain. The colourful motifs, such as the typically British style, nostalgic carousel, invite the guests to take cheerful selfies. The “Öcher” (people from Aachen) certainly took advantage of that. And plenty more too. The free admission, “Open Day”, which the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV) traditionally organises offered a fun-packed programme. Not only tent city with its 190 international exhibitors and various restaurants was very well-attended, but also numerous other attractions enticed the guests to spend time, enjoy and take part. The perfectly family day out or outing with friends!

The activities kicked off at 11.30 a.m. in the Deutsche Bank Stadium with a festive ecumenical service with the motto “He leads me on green pastures“. The show officially started at 1.15 p.m. on the jumping warm-up arena, followed by a diversified programme of entertainment. The best spots around the perimeter of the “green stage” quickly filled. Everyone wanted a good view of the exceptional show acts: The Household Cavalry were also on board and they were also joined by the CHIO Aachen mascot, Karli, and his British companion, Paddington. Later on in the day, Grand National Shetland ponies raced around the track, the Cappenberg Hunting Club demonstrated century old tradition with their pack of hounds and the animal trainer, Anne Krüger-Degener, entertained the visitors with horses, dogs and an entire herd of sheep. Impressive mustangs, the horse trainer Yvonne Gutsche, Bianca Kuhbander and her mini ponies as well as children from the Biesenbach Riding School, who gave an impressive display of side-saddle riding, completed the agenda. In the scope of the “Moments of Luck” charity cooperation, the therapy centres from the region performed a show act under the motto “All you need is love”. The youngest visitors were able to enjoy pony rides and a visit from the WDR mouse.