Aachen, 04. July 2008

Night shifts for the plant decorations
The flower shop Blumen Enk is decorating the jumping stadium

As soon as the competition is over, things start getting hectic: Flowers are pushed from one side of the arena to the other, new decorations are placed inside the ring, integrated into the obstacle concept of the next competition. Once again in 2008 the family flower shop Blumen Enk from Ratingen is responsible for supplying flowers and plants for the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen (June 27th - July 6th). In the Main Stadium, in the offices of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein and in the VIP tent, the Champions Circle. "A huge logistic and organisational challenge for my team of 13 people," proprietor Thomas Dietz pointed out. Among others, flowers in the colours of the CHIO partner country Russia have been supplied as well as plants in the shape of dolphins at the water ditches.

Since 2005 Blumen Enk has been planning the exact details in close collaboration with the nursery of the City of Aachen - who also provides flowers and decorate the rest of the grounds -, course designer Frank Rothenberger and the Malteser Services, who also lend a helping hand in the arena. Rebuilding the courses in the extensive stadium can take up to three hours, and due to the new floodlit competitions such as the Samsung Super League, Mercedes-Benz Nations' Cup, nights shifts are on the agenda. "After all the course for the competition taking place early the next morning has to be accordingly decorated," noted Dietz. "The obstacles themselves are often small pieces of art, and the flowers are supposed to harmonise in with them as far as possible." Without blocking the view of the TV cameras or the spectators, or hindering the routes for the laps of honour of course.

Over 300 large plants have been used to decorate the CHIO Main Stadium alone this year. One of the specialities: The 300 year-old olive trees lined up in front of the Champions Circle, which were supplied by the Dutch company Boomkamp.

Opening hours of the CHIO Aachen 2008 ticket sales:
Friday, 04.07.2008 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, 05.07.2008 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, 06.07.2008 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ticket hotline: +49-(0)241-917-1111