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.

The tradition of the partner countries has always lent the CHIO Aachen a unique atmosphere. In 2025, the visitors, athletes and organisers can look forward to special guests for the 21st time. “Our partner countries enrich the World Equestrian Festival every year with their unmistakable charm,” emphasised Birgit Rosenberg, Board Member of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV). “This year we are experiencing a revival with Spain as the partner country, which we are very much looking forward to. The kingdom from the Iberian Peninsula was already a guest at the Soers 24 years ago and thus laid the foundation for a coveted tradition that shapes the CHIO Aachen through to this very day.

Rosenberg, who in her capacity as Head of Sport at the CHIO Aachen, is also responsible for the show programme, is especially delighted about the royal visit, that has been announced: “We are very honoured. The fact that Her Royal Highness, Elena de Borbón, Infanta of Spain is visiting Aachen, underlines the international appeal of the CHIO Aachen.” And it emphasises the fact that the equestrian sport and horse breeding in Spain are a highly-appreciated tradition that dates back many years and that the enthusiasm for both is also deeply rooted within the royal family.

Her Royal Highness, Elena de Borbón, Infanta of Spain, will be spending several days in Aachen. The Sister of King Felipe VI will attend the traditional Reception of the Partner Country on the market square in Aachen on June 30th. On the following evening, July 1st, the member of the Spanish royal family will officially open the CHIO Aachen together with the State Premier of the State of North Rhein-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, during the OPENING CEREMONY presented by INNSiDE Hotels.

On this evening the official speeches will follow the big show before the big sport. A 90-minute event in a spectacular, floodlit atmosphere. A perfect entertainment show, which true to this year’s motto “Hola España”, is inviting everyone to the Soers for a fantastic fiesta. Among others the German/Spanish music star, Alvaro Soler, who will transform the Main Stadium in Aachen into a pulsating party mile with his world hits, will make sure of that. But there is plenty more to come too: The majestic Andalusian horses – symbols of regal elegance and grace – automatically spring to mind when anyone thinks of Spain. Hence, the horses of the Córdoba Ecuestre Royal Riding School will whisk the crowd off into a magical world with their impressive performance that focuses on the beauty, intelligence and noble spirit of these horses.

The visitors can already experience the ensemble from the Córdoba Ecuestre Royal Riding School up close on the first weekend of the CHIO Aachen. In the scope of the popular “Horse & Symphony” concerts, the two and four-legged artists from the South will come together with the live music of the Aachen Symphony Orchestra to form a worldwide unique symbiosis between dance and music – an unparalleled experience that one certainly shouldn’t miss.

Tickets for the “Horse & Symphony” concerts on June 27th and 28th, as well as for the OPENING CEREMONY presented by INNSiDE Hotels on July 1st, are available from the ticket hotline on +49-241-9171111 or online from the ticket shop.