It is going to be about history and heroes: The “Horse & Symphony” concert at the CHIO Aachen 2024 is celebrating “100 years of equestrian show history” at the Aachen Soers. Also on board: The master of riding Ingrid Klimke and her daughter, Greta Busacker.

The “Horse & Symphony” concert is traditionally the breath-taking prelude of the biggest and most famous equestrian sport event in the world. These two spectacular evenings in the Deutsche Bank Stadium live from the fascinating interplay between the Aachen Symphony Orchestra and a unique horse show. And the latter will be paying homage to the 100-year long history of equestrian shows in Aachen this year. “The first riding and driving show was staged at the Aachen Soers in 1924,” explained Birgit Rosenberg, member of the board of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV). “Which is why in terms of the music, sport and of course visual effects, the concert will be a historical event with many unforgettable moments this time.”

The pas de deux by the master of riding, Ingrid Klimke and her daughter, Greta Busacker, will no doubt be one of the highlights. A performance that will not only excel with top-class sport, it also promises to be highly emotional, because the two riders will naturally also be paying tribute to their father and grandfather, Dr. Reiner Klimke, who with eight victories in the Deutsche Bank Prize significantly co-shaped the history of the CHIO Aachen. He also won two gold medals at the first ever European Dressage Championships in 1967 – held in Aachen of course. “I am already really looking forward to riding into this special stadium with my Mum on both these evenings,” said Greta Busacker, whose biggest sporting victory to-date is claiming double gold at the die U21 European Championships in 2021. The performances also have goosebump potential for the three-time winner of the SAP-Cup, Ingrid Klimke. “I have the honour of taking part in this concert for the third time,” the 56-year-old stated. “But being allowed to ride in this fantastic atmosphere together with my daughter, is going to be very emotional for us both.”

However, the journey through the early days of equestrian shows in Aachen holds plenty of other highlights in store for the spectators. For example, among others the German four-in-hand drivers, Michael Freund and Daniel Würgler, will perform a magical show act in the sand of the Deutsche Bank Stadium, which will bring the driving sport from the Forests of Aachen to life again. A true crowd-puller is also awaited at the Aachen Soers. The Warendorf State Stud will impress the crowd with its popular draught horse quadrille. On June 28th and 29th, at 8.30 p.m. respectively, the first notes of the popular format will ring out under the direction of Christopher Ward, the General Music Director of the City of Aachen. Birgit Rosenberg assures: “It will certainly be worth a visit!”

Tickets for the “Horse & Symphony” concert are available online, from the hotline on +49-(0)241-917-1111 and from the office at the showgrounds.