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Aachen, March 6, 2008

Russia is the partner country
of the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2008
Delegation comprises of 160 people and 60 horses

Russia is the partner country of the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2008 (June 27th - July 6th). Around 160 people and 60 horses are expected at the traditional show grounds in the Aachen Soers. Above all the official Opening Ceremony of the event in the main stadium on July 1st, will be dominated by the Russian guests. Aachen's public will however be welcoming the partner country the day before (Monday, June 30th) at a reception in the historical Town Hall Square.

Frank Kemperman, General Manager of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV), the organiser of the event, promised "many surprises" during the Opening Ceremony and over the subsequent show days. For instance the spectators can look forward to the mounted escorts of the President as well as the spectacular Troikas - the classic three horse carriages - and a variety of show programmes. A Russian stunt group is going to cause plenty of excitement and the "Pytanitsky" choir - a folklore and dance group - is also going to make up part of the show programme.

"Russia", commented Frank Kemperman, "is a fascinating country, where a lot of things are happening in the world of equestrian sport at the moment too." Large international shows such as the "All Russian Equestrian Games" in St. Petersburg are currently establishing themselves. The contact to the new partner country came about via the ALRV Executive Board member, Professor Dr. Arno Gego, who as a famous course designer asserts himself worldwide with his Aachen School Of Course Design (ASCD) for the improved quality of show-jumping courses. At a meeting in Berlin with the Russian Ambassador, Vladimir V. Kotenev, Kemperman and Michael Mronz, General Manager of the Aachener Reitturnier GmbH (ART), already discussed details of the collaboration. Ambassador Kotenev will also attend the CHIO Aachen as a guest of honour.

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