The secret has been disclosed: Spain is the official partner country of the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2025. Among others, the music star, Alvaro Soler, has confirmed his participation in the Opening Ceremony. The motto is “Hola España”.

When together with the CHIO mascot, Karli, fiery flamenco dancers invite people to sample jamón Ibérico and tapas, the rhythmic clatter of castanets can be heard from afar and the legendary “La Rojigualda” decorates the entrance, lively fiestas, typical Iberian lifestyle and of course plenty of music is not far away: Yes, Spain is the partner country of this year’s CHIO Aachen. Hold on, wasn’t that already the case in the past? That’s right! In the year 2001, a new tradition was founded at the CHIO Aachen. For the first time in the history of the show a partner country was presented for the World Equestrian Festival. And who was it? Exactly! Spain! 24 years later the CHIO Aachen is now looking forward to a revival. “Of course, Spain is a very special partner country for us,” a delighted Birgit Rosenberg, Board Member of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein, reported during the official announcement on Wednesday afternoon. “The country brings with it everything needed to impress the visitors of the CHIO Aachen 2025: a vibrant culture, captivating music and of course magnificent horses,” stated Rosenberg, who also revealed the motto for the coming partner country: “Hola España.”

Together with this year’s partner country, the organisers are promising a spectacular evening for the top show before the top sport. Because the CHIO Aachen – has long since not only stood for world-class equestrian sport, but also for world-class entertainment. The traditional Opening Ceremony, which thanks to WDR is also being broadcast live on the TV screens from 8.15 p.m. onwards, is staged in the Main Stadium as a perfect, 90-minute long breath-taking, floodlit entertainment show. The theme of which is traditionally closely linked to the partner country. To this end, the kingdom on the Iberian Peninsula offers a huge and manifold spectrum of historical, cultural and modern wealth, which will transform the Main Stadium in Aachen into a huge fiesta on the evening of July 1st. Among others, the German/Spanish music star, Alvaro Soler, will make sure of that. Hardly any other artist is more readily associated with the summer and high spirits than the 33-year-old, who will turn the Main Stadium at the Soers into a true party mile with his world famous hits. A special highlight: As an extra treat for the spectators on-site, Alvaro Soler, who is continually present in the Germany playlists with his Spanish songs, will perform a few encores after the official part is over.

As if that were not enough: At the thought of Spain, Andalusian horses immediately spring to mind. Proud and graceful. The horses of the Kings. Which is why the horses from the “Cordoba Ecuestre” will also form part of the Opening Ceremony and whisk the spectators off into a magical world, which reflects the whole beauty, intelligence and elegant spirit of these horses and the skills of their riders. “For us it is a huge honour to be part of this fantastic event,” the Director of the Royal Riding School in Cordoba, Javier Gómez, said and promised a spectacular programme. However, the performance with traditional horses and plenty of dance and music will be just one of the major highlights on the evening of July 1st. “When I think of Spain, I immediately think of the typical Spanish temperament and the joie de vivre of the people and that is what we intend to portray,” stated Uwe Brandt, who responsible for the choreography, dramaturgy and staging of the show in his capacity as Creative Director, has been supporting the CHIO Aachen team since 2015.

However, Spain will not only decisively shape the Opening Ceremony, it will also be omnipresent throughout the entire duration of the CHIO Aachen. For example, the partner country will also play a major role in the “Horse & Symphony” concert. And we also have good news in this connection too: The traditional interplay between the Aachen Symphony Orchestra and a unique horse show goes down very well with the CHIO Aachen fans, hence there is a high demand for tickets. “To the extent that we are glad to accommodate the wishes of our visitors by offering an additional date for the concert,” Birgit Rosenberg remarked about the breath-taking show that kicks off Germany’s biggest sporting event and which will now be taking place on two evenings instead of just one (June 27th and 28th).

Furthermore, the typical Spanish flair can be experienced over the entire showgrounds – among other things in the form of a colourful sea of flowers that is reminiscent of the famous Patios Cordobeses – as well as in the city centre itself: The traditional reception of the partner country will be held in the market square of Aachen on Monday, June 30th.

Tickets for the Opening Ceremony, the “Horse & Symphony” concerts as well as for all competitions are available from the online ticket shop, from the hotline on +49 (0)241-917-1111 and from the offices of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein.