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Aachen, May 20th, 2008

Harry Potter in the Deutsche Bank Stadium
CHIO Aachen 2008: Rehearsal for "Horse & Symphony" - top class sport meets world-famous melodies

The magician has no chance at all against eight Harry Potters on elegant horses. Defeated she rides out of the Deutsche Bank Stadium with her black cape trailing behind her, to the sound of bombastic film music. "Okay, that was already pretty good," calls Renate Dahmen after the second rehearsal.

At the moment the choreographer and manager of the Dahmen Equestrian Centre is often at the Soers with her young equestrian talents. After all the "Horse & Symphony" concert, scheduled for June 28th, (20.30 p.m.) is to be one of the highlights of the accompanying programme of the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2008 (June 27th - July 6th). Whilst the Aachen Symphony Orchestra take the audience on a musical "trip around the world" with film music from "Indiana Jones", waltzer, flamenco or chansons, world-class equestrian athletes such as the Vaulting World Champion Kai Vorberg, dancers from the Carla Brettschneider Dancing School or young riders from the region will be providing the matching choreography inside the arena.

"Of course a lot of practise is necessary," explained the dressage rider Renate Dahmen. The children who are riding into the Deutsche Bank stadium without costumes today are all under twelve and first have to acquaint themselves with their surroundings. The seats in the grandstand are empty now, but during the concert on June 28th, there will be around 5,000 spectators. "And the children are looking forward to it enormously," commented Renate Dahmen - before returning to the dressage arena. Harry Potter has just got to save the world again.
The concert is almost sold out. A further highlight in the accompanying programme is the CHIO Auction on Friday, July 4th (6 p.m., Albert Vahle Arena). Tickets for this and for the sport competitions of the CHIO Aachen 2008 are available from the hotline on +49-(0)241) 917-1111 or online at www.chioaachen.de.

Ticket-Hotline: +49-241-917-11 11.