The World Equestrian Festival stands for world-class sport and a top event, but above all also for the biggest folk and family festival of the region. This was precisely the case on Soers Sunday, the traditional Open Day.

Curious visitors were already queuing up along Albert-Servais-Allee even before the official admission time of 10.00 a.m. Following tradition, the Aachen City Riders were waiting to greet the guests directly at the main entrance. And the men and women in the traditional uniforms were thus the first popular photo motif of the day. There are plenty of these spread across the grounds again this year, all of which share the same theme: this year’s partner country Spain. The colourful motifs such as, for example, the nostalgic typically Spanish style carousel or the fiery flamenco dancer invited the guests to take cheerful selfies. The “Öcher” (people from Aachen) made ample use of this offer. And not only of that one. A packed programme awaited them at the “Open Day”, which the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e. V. (ALRV) traditionally organises as an event with free admission. The CHIO Aachen Village with its approx. 230 international exhibitors and over 20 different food service companies was well-attended and the many attractions enticed the guests to spend time, marvel and take part.

The agenda kicked off in the Dressage Stadium at 11.30 a.m. with an official ecumenical service under the motto “Buen Camino – have a good journey”. Then, the diversified entertainment programme got underway at 1.30 p.m. The best seats on the perimeter of the “green stage” were quickly occupied. Everyone wanted to enjoy a good view of the exceptional show acts – of which there were plenty –following a greeting by the CHIO Aachen mascot, Karli, who was accompanied by Aachen’s Prince Charming himself! The programme began with an ensemble of the Córdoba Ecuestre from the Royal Stables in Andalusia. Over the course of the day, the guests learned interesting facts about the breed Pura Raza Espanola and Spanish horse tradition. Josh Clemens and his team with their fast-paced trick riding show; the animal trainer, Laury Tisseur, as well as a herd of Mustangs and plenty of carriages were all on board too. In the scope of the charity cooperation “Moments of Luck”, the therapy yards from the region presented themselves under the motto “Viva diversity – inclusion moves”, the youngest visitors were impressed by the pony riding offer and a visit from the WDR mouse.

Philip Erbers, Board Member of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV) was also delighted about the enthusiasm of the visitors strolling around the traditional showgrounds in high numbers: “Beautiful sunshine and beaming faces wherever you look. The CHIO Aachen 2025 couldn’t have got off to a better start.” He added that he is “totally satisfied with a super first weekend”. In total 42,900 visitors attended the two “Horse & Symphony” concerts, the vaulting competitions and the Open Day, around 28,000 guests were recorded at Soers Sunday alone.