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Aachen, 12. Juni 2008

CHIO Aachen 2008: Soers Sunday entices with a family festival on June 29th
Tens of thousands are expected to attend the show programme - free entry at the "Open Day"

36,000 visitors strolled through the tent city on the show grounds with its wide array of offers last year or enjoyed the free show programme amid beautiful weather. The Soers Sunday, presented by WARSTEINER, was initiated in 1998 to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV) and has long since become a traditional event at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen (June 27th - July 6th).

As in the previous years, first of all an ecumenical church service will be held in the Deutsche Bank Stadium at 11.30 a.m., which will be focusing on Francis of Assisi this year following the motto "Laudato si". He is the patron saint of animals - and as such a large number of four-legged animals and birds will be present during the mass. Then Klaus Pavel, Chairman of the ALRV Supervisory Board will inaugurate the open day with the barrel tapping ceremony on the jumping warm-up area together with Frank Kutsch of the Warsteiner Brewery and the City of Aachen Riding Corps (1 p.m.). "The visitors can look forward to an entertaining programme," said Show Director, Frank Kemperman. "Of course entry is free of charge."

For example there will be a novice jumping competition with 35 young riders from the Rhineland district and a leading-rein class with ponies and children from the region. The Lobberich show group is going to be there with 55 riders and they will be presenting a Hungarian show programme with a harvest festival. Therapeutic riding, which is being supporting once again by the ALRV, will be displaying a range of skill exercises. Furthermore, as well as pony riding and a horse tram, the ALRV has many other surprises in store for their visitors. The CHIO partner country Russia will also be partaking in a parade with the escorts of the Russian President, including also three-horse carriages and Cossack riders. An appetizer for the official CHIO Opening Ceremony, to be held in the main stadium on Tuesday, July 1st, starting at 5 p.m.

Opening Hours ALRV previous to the CHIO 2008:
Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sat. 10 - 2 p.m.
Ticket-Hotline: +49-241-917-111