Media Guide CHIO Aachen 2013

CHIO Aachen 2013
CHIO Partner Country 2013: Denmark
Velkommen Danmark! Denmark is the official
partner country of the CHIO Aachen
2013
Anyone, who has experienced the show in Aachen
once, is always eager to return, because
one is keen to follow the path that leads to friends.”
These emotional words originate from Louise
Hasselbalch, who competed for Denmark at
the Aachen Soers in the year 1929. More than 80
years later these words are gaining a totally new
significance at the CHIO Aachen 2013: Because
Denmark is the official partner country of this
year’s CHIO Aachen.
In the scope of the World Equestrian Festival, Denmark wants to demonstrate that it has
much more to offer than “Nordic romanticism” and “The Little Mermaid”. Did you know for
instance that the world-famous “Egg Chair” was created by the Danish designer Arne Jacobsens,
that the brightly-coloured Lego bricks which have delighted generations of children
and adults were invented by a Danish master carpenter or that the capital city, Copenhagen,
organises its own Fashion Week? There is no doubt about it: Denmark is an exciting
country, especially since it is located right between Central Europe and Scandinavia. Furthermore,
Denmark has one of the oldest still existent monarchies in Europe – which dates
back for thousands of years and which has been headed by the Danish Queen Margrethe II
for over 40 years.
Endless beaches, over 7,000 kilometres of coast, Copenhagen and Legoland: Denmark is
a multi-faceted country. The word “Denmark” originates from the era of the Vikings, it
was already carved into the famous Jelling stone that dates back to around 900 A.D. Horses
and the equestrian sport are also part of Denmark’s established tradition. Which is why the
supporting programme of the CHIO Aachen will be co-organised by the guests from the
North – the highlight is going to be the Opening Ceremony on the Tuesday, which will be
broadcast live on public TV. Among others the visitors will have the opportunity to admire
the golden carriage of the Royal Family and the Music Corps of the Royal Household Cavalry,
which was founded in the year 1658 by König Frederik III. But also the Royal Hussars
Regiment, the Frederiksborgers (the oldest stud-book
registered baroque horse breed in the world) and the
impressive Danish warmbloods will be making appearances
during the show week at the Aachen Soers.
In addition, a “Danish Village” is going to be erected on
the showgrounds, where Danish specialities can be sampled
and where the show visitors will be able to view a
completely furnished Danish holiday home.
Denmark will not only radiate a touch of royal glamour
at this year’s CHIO Aachen, but also a fantastic
atmosphere, because according to the “World Happiness
Report” of the OECD, the Danes are the happiest
people in the world!
Nobody can say for sure whether the Danes’ positive
attitude towards life has got anything to do with
their environmentally-aware approach, because “Green
Living” is the lifestyle motto of nearly every inhabitant
of Denmark – and they are 5.5 million in total. So, it is
hardly surprising that Copenhagen is going to be the
Environmental Capital City of Europe in 2014. This certainly seems to impress their neighbours
from Germany, because they make up the biggest group of tourists visiting the holiday
paradise of Denmark every year…where you can find all the right ingredients necessary
for a nice, relaxing vacation – whether on water or on land. The many big and small islands
are also characteristic for Denmark, i.e. Bornholm, the beaches of which are famous for their
extremely fine sands.
2013 is not just a special year for the equestrian sport in Denmark because of the CHIO
Aachen either. From August 20 th -25 th , the best equestrian athletes of the Continent
will also be meeting up in Herning to compete at the FEI European Championships (www.
european-herning.dk). The search will be on for the European Champions in the disciplines
showjumping, dressage and para-dressage. Aachen will thus also play an important role
as the last trials before Herning. Many nations will decide who is going to represent their
country at the European Championships during the CHIO at the Soers. Incidentally, tickets
for the European Championships in Denmark will be on sale in the “Danish Village”. We can
also look forward to top sporting performances by the Danes. The dressage team has namely
really caught up over the past few years, Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein-Berleburg confidently
states that their aim is to collect a team medal at the European Championships.
CHIO Aachen 2013
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