Great Britain will be the official partner country of the 2023 CHIO Aachen with the Household Cavalry and Charlotte Fry part of the musically themed “All You Need Is Love” celebration
The CHIO Aachen is famous for not only world-class equestrian sport, but also for world-class entertainment. The 90-minute Opening Ceremony, that this year will take place on Tuesday 27th June in the Main Stadium, provides spectacular entertainment for 40,000 spectators, with the theme of the show dominated by the partner country.
This year the official country partner is Great Britain and theme will be “All you need is love”, based on the legendary Beatles song
“For us it is a great honour presenting ourselves to the crowd in Aachen in one of the biggest equestrian sport arenas in the world,” said Daniel Evans, Equitation Warrant Officer of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, whose Musical Ride will be a focal point of the Opening Ceremony
The Brits have demonstrated often enough that they always put in top performances in Aachen and now they will play a special part
“We enjoy being guests at the Aachen Soers year after year” says Jim Eyre, Chief Executive British Equestrian “The fact that we are taking over the role of the partner country this year is a wonderful opportunity to show what our homeland has to offer”
The pomp and glory of the Musical Ride of the Household Guard Mounted Regiment will not be the only highlight on the evening of June 27th. Another British crowd favourite, the “Grand National Shetland ponies” will be taking part, along with a display of splendid British carriages and – of course – plenty of music.
“When I think of Great Britain, I don’t just think of the Beatles, in terms of music we are actually spoilt for choice,” said Uwe Brand, Creative Director “The arena holds 40,000 spectators, that is a huge space to be filled”
The Opening Ceremony is not only huge logistically speaking, with 1,000 extras and several hundred horses, but also that the show needs to entertain the fans in the stadium as well as TV viewers
“We have to surprise, the timing has to be right, and the show simply has to be exciting from start to finish.”
The celebration of all things British will not only shape the Opening Ceremony, but also the entire period of the CHIO Aachen from June 23rd – July 2nd.
Both of the “Horse & Symphony” concerts (June 23rd and 24th) will feature a performance by British dressage rider, Charlotte Fry, the reigning double World Champion.
A British flavour will be in place throughout the show grounds as well as in the city of Aachen itself, especially during the traditional reception for the partner country that will take place at the market square in Aachen on Monday, June 26th.
Representatives of the partner country Great Britain, the CHIO Aachen and mascot Karli framed by guards of the Household Cavalry Regiment (L-R): Uwe Brandt, Birgit Rosenberg, Jim Eyre, Karli, bagpiper David Johnston and Daniel Evans
