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CHIO Aachen 
June 17 - 22, 2003

CHIO Aachen
June 17 - 22, 2003

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Sunny and mild - absolutely perfect weather -- brought an estimated 40,000 to enjoy the Soers (pronounced Zurs) Sunday at CHIO Aachen.  A free Open House especially for the residents of Aachen many of whom take their vacation so they can attend every session of CHIO.  Beginning with an eccumenical service in the dressage stadium, the crowd was treated to the Olympic selection trials for show jumping for nations that don't have an opportunity to qualify at home.  The competitors were treated to enthusiastic standing room only crowds and the top three competitors will compete in the CSIO international jumping this week.  Korea, Japan and New Zealand won Olympic berths.

Joan Gilchrist, recently retired editor of Horse and Pony magazine in New Zealand, emailed the news home.  The riders were already celebrating. 

Bonnie translated press releases into English for CHIO. 

Food court and trade fair opened with the horse shoeing demo most popular.  Special children's activities brought the entire family.  Symphony and Horses -- a live performance by the Aachen philharmonic orchestra accompanied by horses in the dressage arena including a quadrille by Hungarian young riders and a pas de deux by Nadine Capellmann and Alexandra Simons de Ridder -- international grand prix competitors who live in the Aachen suburbs.  The performance was a sell-out raising money for the children of Afghanistan.  

CHIO busses are running -- free to ticket holders and the busses go from the bahnhof (bus station) right beside our hotel directly to CHIO showgrounds.  

This superb weather is predicted to continue throughout the week --- excellent for the competitors who will arrive today and tomorrow.  Three previous weeks of rain provide luscious grass and plants.  Hungary, the partner country, has red peppers (paprika) throughout the showgrounds.  Can't wait for the Hungarian Opening Ceremony on Tuesday night. 

The famous Hungarian Post -- a rider astride two galloping horses driving two or more horses in front actually was a fantasy painting by a Hungarian artist.  Farmers inspired by the painting, made the Hungarian Post a reality.  Hungary has a long and rich equestrian tradition.  Demos of Hungarian horsemanship will be shown daily.

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