CHIO Aachen: Perfectly manicured lawns and the event every rider wants to win

Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; Davide Mombeli / Getty Share articleThere are international horse shows, and then there’s Aachen. Drawing more than 350,000 fans every year, the annual World Equestrian Festival held in this German spa city is widely regarded as the Wimbledon of equestrianism. From the perfectly manicured lawns in the show jumping arena to the facilities and the knowledgeable crowds, this is the one every rider wants to compete in, let alone win. “The comparison isn’t far-fetched,” Michael Mronz, managing director of the event also known as CHIO Aachen, told The Athletic. “In tennis, Wimbledon stands for tradition, perfection, a distinctive atmosphere, and an unmatched experience. It’s no different in Aachen. “For many riders, it’s a childhood dream to compete at the World Equestrian Festival in the Allianz Park. The size, the history, the green in the main stadium, the incredible closeness between athletes and spectators — you simply cannot replicate that.” Mronz is well-placed to make the comparison. A member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), he is a former tennis tournament organizer in Germany and also the brother of Alexander Mronz, a former professional tennis player. Wimbledon prides itself on its ability to modernize while retaining the charm of the past. Aachen is no different. What began in the late 19th century as a venue for horse racing has transformed into the ultimate venue for the world’s best riders, with CHIO Aachen captivating audiences every year across all disciplines: dressage, eventing, show jumping, driving and vaulting. Aachen is the second of four majors featured in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, the pinnacle of the sport that also includes the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in Calgary, Canada in September and CHI Geneva in December. Germany’s Richard Vogel is two major victories away from a €1 million ($1.2 million) bonus after triumphing at The Dutch Masters with United Touch S in March. Riders who win four consecutive majors can look forward to a €2 million bonus. Normally held in the summer, CHIO Aachen will run from May 22-24 this year with a shortened program because it is staging the World Championships in August. The top 25 in the show jumping world rankings are set to compete, culminating in the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday. Competitors include last year’s winner, Martin Fuchs of Switzerland, as well as Scott Brash of Britain, the only rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, and German Olympic champion Christian Kukuk. Just like Wimbledon, Aachen stands out from most other international equestrian events because of its grass surface. Its show jumping arena, the biggest equestrian stadium in the world, has a seating capacity of 40,000 and a meticulously maintained surface consisting of more than 358 million blades of grass. “We invest heavily every year in maintenance and technology to keep the arena at an absolutely world-class level,” said Mronz. Situated in the west of Germany, bordering the Netherlands and Belgium, Aachen draws spectators from all over Europe and across the Atlantic. Champagne bars and a range of culinary options are complemented by a museum celebrating the history of Aachen and equestrianism. The showground is also the permanent home of a training and education center for international equestrian sports. During the closing ceremony, 40,000 fans wave white handkerchiefs to the tune of German folk song “Muss i denn zum Städtele hinaus” to say goodbye to the horses and riders during their final lap of honor. “It’s a superbly run show,” Mary King, a three-time Olympic eventing medalist from Britain, told The Athletic. “The fact you’ve got such top-level horses and all the different disciplines there in such a small area. It seems incredible that you’re just so close to the city, the crowds come in their hordes. The grandstands are full, which creates such a great atmosphere.” The horses are treated like royalty, with Aachen widely considered to be one of the sport’s leaders when it comes to horse welfare. “They really make quite a big fuss of the horses which is hugely appreciated by us riders,” Yasmin Ingham, the first British eventer to win Aachen with Banzai Du Loir in 2023, told The Athletic. Aachen’s veterinarian center contains four stables, two examination rooms, an X-ray room, a pharmacy and a laboratory, while 300 employees and volunteers ensure the event goes without a hitch. Stables are fitted with fans during the summer, while there are also grazing arenas, where grooms can let the horses have a bite of grass in between events. There is also a touch of Hollywood, with the horseshoe of each winning horse being immortalized on the “Walk of Fame” inside the grounds. Ingham made sure she captured the moment Banzai’s horseshoe was added after their victory. “It’s an achievement I’m hugely proud of,” she said. CHIO Aachen is also a key driver for the regional economy of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. According to Detlef Funken, a spokesman for the city, the 2026 World Championships will boost the local economy by €200 million ($234m). The annual festival also generates millions in economic impact every year. “The importance of the CHIO for Aachen cannot be overstated,” Funken told The Athletic. “Year after year, hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world travel here, many of them exclusively for this unique event. The CHIO is a lasting ambassador for our city.” CHIO Aachen is on WDR, ARD or ZDF television channels in Germany. Worldwide it is streaming (subscription only) on ClipMyHorse.TV. The CHIO Aachen app also tracks live results. *All Times CEST. Times subject to change. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms