The World Equestrian Festival stands for world-class sport, but above all for the biggest folk and family festival in the region. Soers Sunday, the traditional Open Day demonstrated precisely this today.

The weather gods were gracious: The dark clouds dispersed at the Aachen Soers just in time for the start of Soers Sunday and took the rain that had pelted down in the night with them. So, there were plenty of curious visitors waiting along the Albert-Servais-Allee even before the gates officially opened at 10 o’clock. Dancing cheerleaders weaved their way in between the City Riders of Aachen to greet the visitors at the Main Entrance. And the ladies from the US national team, USA Cheer with their white pompons, were thus the first popular photo motif at the showgrounds. And there are plenty of the latter around the grounds this year again, all of which have the same theme: This year’s partner country, the USA. The colourful motifs, such as nostalgic, typically American-style carousels or the Statue of Liberty invited the guests to take jolly selfies. Young and old alike took advantage of this offer and many more in abundance. The “Open Day” that the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e. V. (ALRV) traditionally invites everyone to attend with free admission, held an action-packed programme in store. Not only the shopping mile with over 200 international exhibitors and diversified catering options was well-attended, so were the plentiful attractions that invited the guests on many corners to spend time, marvel and take part. The perfect day out with the family or friends!

The action kicked off at 11.30 a.m. in the Deutsche Bank Stadium with an ecumenical church service under the motto “Gospel for everyone”. Then, at 1.00 p.m. the colourful entertainment programme with many exceptional show acts gave a small preview of what we can look forward to during the Opening Ceremony on Tuesday evening: The cheerleaders of the American national team, USA Cheer, were also on board and the CHIO Aachen mascot, Karli, also swung his hips to their dance moves. Later in the day, a herd of Shetland ponies and Mustangs galloped through the Deutsche Bank Stadium. Also on the agenda, the cart horse, Kalle; the animal trainer, Laury Tisseur and the radio star, Daniel Danger, who impressed the crowd with his entertaining vaulting performance. In the course of the charity cooperation “Moments of Luck”, the therapy centres from the region presented themselves under the motto “Therapeutic riding in the land of unlimited opportunities” and the youngest visitors enjoyed pony rides and a visit from the WDR mouse, that resulted in plenty of beaming smiles on the children’s faces.

Philip Erbers, Board member of the organisers, the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV), was also delighted about the enthusiasm of the visitors, who strolled around the traditional showgrounds in high numbers: “The CHIO Aachen 2024 couldn’t have got off to a better start.” He was “very satisfied with a super first weekend”, which including the two “Horse & Symphony” concerts, the vaulting and the Open Day, attracted more than 40,000 visitors, the attendance on Soers Sunday alone totalled 26,500 visitors.