Norbert Laufs, Chairman of the Sparkasse Aachen revealed that the ceremonial presentation of the special prize in the Sparkassen-Youngster-Cup is his favourite moment at the CHIO Aachen every year. That is not surprising since the winner of this class traditionally wins an aspiring top horse in mini format: A foal with an exquisite pedigree, which after galloping joyfully around the Holy Grass can first of all look forward to a relaxed upbringing on the fields of its new owner.

“Standing in the middle of the stadium, feeling the atmosphere and watching the enthusiastic crowd, is an indescribable experience each time anew,” commented Norbert Laufs, and also delights the star-studded field of participants of this competition year after year. Because a glance at the top rankings of the past years shows how popular this competition, which is supported by the Sparkasse and is a fixed item on the CHIO Aachen’s programme, is among the equestrian world elite. Among others, the two later winning pairs of the Rolex Grand Prix, Gerrit Nieberg and Ben as well as Daniel Deußer and Killer Queen, have already notched up top placings on this list. And the Swiss rider, Steve Guerdat, also used the Sparkassen-Youngster-Cup in the past to prepare his later European Champion, Dynamix de Belheme, for greater tasks.

The Sparkasse has already partnered this famous competition since 1981. But the bank’s involvement with Germany’s biggest sports event began much earlier. The Sparkasse already became a sponsor of the World Equestrian Festival in 1954, and has also been sponsoring classes in different disciplines since 1974. The CHIO Aachen and the Sparkasse always was and remains to be a perfect fit. A perfect partnership that has meanwhile excelled for 70 years through its stability, trust and joint passion: offering the people something big, something special. “The CHIO Aachen is a fantastic, international flagship for our city and is not only a top sporting, but also a top social event here in our region,” stated Norbert Laufs, who also emphasised that promoting the youth and mass sports is also a matter of great importance to the traditional bank. For example, the Sparkasse also supported the staging of the German Youth Championships in the years 2010 and 2017. And the Sparkasse has also helped vaulting become a fixed part of the schedule at the CHIO Aachen. Since 2007, the world’s best vaulters have been traditionally honoured with the Prize of Sparkasse on the first weekend of the show.

“The sweet anticipation increases every day,” said Norbert Laufs shortly before the start of the CHIO Aachen 2024. And once again the Chairman of the Sparkasse Aachen is particularly looking forward to the prize-giving ceremony of the Sparkassen-Youngster-Cup, when the victorious rider will, also in this anniversary year, be delighted to win a fabulous foal again.