There was a fantastic atmosphere on the traditional market square in Aachen: Dancing cheerleaders, a lasso thrower and of course plenty of horses got everyone tuned in for the CHIO Aachen 2024 and this year’s partner country, the USA. The motto: “A perfect match.”

The CHIO Aachen 2024 got off to a dynamic start with an impressive horse and carriage parade through the city centre to the market square. The reception in front of the magnificent setting of the historical Town Hall has a long tradition. Hence, on Monday evening the people from Aachen poured onto the market place to take part. And the programme was thrilling. Even before the horses and artists led by the City Riders of Aachen and flag bearers reached the market square at 6 p.m., the highly spirited CHIO Aachen mascot, Karli, and the country singer, Danny Griego, who had flown in from Texas especially for the occasion, set the scene for the open-air festival. A few rays of sunshine fought their way through the clouds and cast the right light on the scene.

In front of the stairs of the Town Hall, Sibylle Keupen welcomed her “Öcher” (inhabitants of Aachen). “The CHIO Aachen”, the Mayoress stated, “is not only steeped in tradition, it also has huge international appeal. With the USA as the partner country it is going to be a fabulous event.” The partnership between the CHIO Aachen and the United States is embedded in the celebrations for the NRW/USA Year 2023/2024, which pays tribute to the joint history of the United States of America and North Rhine-Westphalia. Accordingly, the President of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV), Stefanie Peters, promised: “Ahead of us lies a CHIO Aachen, that is going to be characterised by plenty of US-American flair.”

And precisely this flair was already noticeable on the traditional market square of Aachen on Monday evening. Framed by flag-bearing soldiers of the US military, the Colour Guard, and the third Infantry Regiment of the United States, the Caisson Platoon Soldiers, a herd of Mustangs, the lasso thrower, Roper Kiesner and the cheerleaders of the US national team, “USA Cheer”, who flew through the skies over Aachen during their spectacular performance, quickly conquered the hearts of the many spectators that had gathered around the market place. The same was true of the riders of the USA team, headed by the dressage rider, Steffen Peters, who also paraded over the cobblestones of the city.

The action-packed reception gave a small foretaste of what awaits us at the Soers over the coming days. All of these performers – and many more – will be in action again during tomorrow’s Opening Ceremony. With a little luck, interested fans can still purchase remaining tickets via the second-hand ticket exchange on the website of the CHIO Aachen. For those, who aren’t able to acquire a ticket: WDR is broadcasting the official Opening Ceremony live from 8.15 p.m. onwards.