Enormous, Unforgettable Aachen

Ahhhhh Aachen!!

Over the weekend I was lucky enough to attend the CHIO Aachen Horse Show in Germany. Actually, I think lucky is an extreme understatement.

Not only is the show an incredible event, I was given a "golden pass" that allowed me access to all of the jumping events, the warm-up arena, barns, shuttle service to the show and front stadium seating. Let’s just say I have very good friends in high places!

I am fortunate to live in Wellington, Florida, where I watch the Winter Equestrian Festival year after year, which is incredible, yet Aachen was a whole other beast.

My first impression and probably one of the most lasting ones were the spectators. I arrived Thursday, June 27, just in time to watch the FEI Furusiyya Nations Cup. As we walked toward the ticketing office, I could see busloads of spectators lining up, and by busloads I mean at least three buses at the corner and more waiting for their turn to drop off eager show jumping enthusiasts. They estimated a crowd of 57,000 people for the Nations Cup, and that wasn't even the highlighted event of the weekend!

Excuse me, coming through.....

As I was working my way through the crowd I began to realize just how big this show was. In one corner you had dressage, another corner was driving, and then of course the show jumping. There were vendors everywhere selling anything you could need for horse or rider (and dog!) which was a good thing because I quickly realized that my thin Florida skin and two layers were not nearly enough for the grey cool days of Germany. I promptly bought a bright red official Aachen tourist jacket- hey, at least I wouldn't get lost in the massive crowds wearing it, and it was warm and waterproof (definitely worth the Euros, have I mentioned yet how disheartening the exchange rate from dollar to Euro is?) Anyway, moving on.

After a beer or two, and a sausage (which was about a foot and a half long) it was time to settle in and watch a weekend of jumping.

And we didn't even ask them to super size it!

The smallest class in Aachen was 1.45m, and every jump looked to be maxed out. The water in the Grand Prix classes was huge and took many victims. They had ditches, water combinations, and in a very fun and crowd pleasing derby class there were banks, drops, liverpools and water that horses had to gallop through and jump out of. Imagine how confused a horse must be to have to jump over open water one day and then gallop through it another day! They held a joker class and a relay class, all of which ignited the crowds. This show had everything and just when you thought you had seen it all, between classes and course walks they held demonstrations in dressage, driving, vaulting, military, and breed exhibitions.

Military horses waiting to enter the stadium.

Hackneys, pacers, drafts, ponies, Standardbreds, etc. all came out to show the crowd the different breeds and jobs of horses around the world. My favorite was the mares and foals, braided in plaits entering the huge arena. The mothers walking patiently with their handlers, not seeming to notice the thousands of people watching them, as their foals frolicked and bucked around them, drawing awes from the crowd.

The Aachen Grand Prix on Sunday had a huge crowd, I am not sure the numbers but it was bigger than Nations Cup. Every seat was filled in the enormous stadium and people were lined up on the railing at least four deep. The course was huge which can only be expected with a purse of $350,000 Euro going to the winner. It was the first leg of the Rolex Triple Crown, and the best of the best were there to compete and try for the honor and purse. After two full rounds of jumping there were only three partnerships clear to move on to the 3rd round of jumping, the jump off.

Nick Skelton and Big Star laid down an aggressive, fast and clean jumpoff that won the class for them. Going second in the jumpoff order, you had the impression Nick wasn't going to leave much room for the last rider to catch him. He came out blazing through the course, galloping strong to enormous oxers and whipping around tight turns to tall verticals, if he has an ounce of fear or reservation you certainly wouldn't know it and to be honest I don't think he does! His bravery and skill paid off- big time! He was the only rider to be clean all three rounds and to take home the small fortune in prize money.

Going back to the crowd, not only were there tens of thousands of people there to watch but they were so into the show you felt like you were at a soccer or a baseball game. Every rail brought a collective "awww" from the crowd that was so loud you could hear it from the food vendors outside of the stadium. Clear rounds brought cheers and sometimes standing ovations. The riders who went clean would wave up to the crowds, only to make the cheering louder. Everyone was excited to be there and the energy was electric. (I also have to give props to Aachen, not once except for the last day was there a line for the ladies room, something I very much appreciated!) There were workers selling drinks and ice cream in the stands like you would see at a baseball game, and to my surprise despite the chilly weather, many people were eating ice cream. Ok I guess 60-65 degrees isn't cold for everyone, just for this Floridian.

After the grand prix finished, there was a Parade of Champions in the main arena where the champions from each event (dressage, driving, and jumping) and each country were recognized and honored as the crowd cheered, sang and waved white handkerchiefs in the stands.

Walking back to the shuttle, I could still hear the horses clip-clopping on the cobblestone as they went back to their barns to be rubbed down, fed carrots and packed back on the lorries on way to their next big international competition or home for some well deserved rest.

They certainly won't forget Aachen, and neither will I!  

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My view of the main stadium during the Aachen Grand Prix

Watching the parade of breeds and disciplines.

The warm up ring.

Nick Skelton, Big Star, and Laura Kraut.

Beezie Madden and Cortes 'C'

Siobhan Gallagher is an amateur rider who lives and works year round in Wellington, Florida. She competes her off the track Thoroughbred in the jumper divisions and works with Engel and Volkers real estate in West Palm Beach.