CHIO Aachen: A look at one of the most important equestrian shows in the world

Where can you watch CHIO Aachen live?

The World Equestrian Festival can be streamed LIVE on ClipMyHorse.TV from May 22th to May 24th, 2026. Don't miss out on the peak of equestrian sport.

Save the date: CHIO Aachen 2027, June 25th to July 4th

Why is the CHIO so short this year (2026)?

The Nations Cup for show jumpers has been canceled this year, which is why the tournament will only last three days. The reason for this is the World Equestrian Games, which will take place in Aachen in August. Due to the World Championships in August, there will be no competitions for national teams at the CHIO this time.

The history of CHIO Aachen

The CHIO Aachen evokes strong emotions among equestrians. The history of the tournament is deeply rooted and has stood for excellence in equestrian sports since 1898. Large crowds gather in Aachen to admire the horses and riders. The audience is united by their love of horses, just as the CHIO Aachen was when it was first introduced in Germany.

It all began when the equestrian community of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein came together to present their horses. People from all walks of life brought their horses and presented the skills they had developed. Whether ranchers, factory workers or riding instructors, everyone had the opportunity to show off their riding skills. This tradition continued over many years and became more popular from year to year.

It was not until the 1920s that the competition was moved to its current location in the Soers. At this time, competition became stronger and the first riding and driving competition was held. Around 20,000 spectators watched this historic event, and the new CHIO location in Aachen got off to a brilliant start.

In 1927, the First Nations Cup was held there and the era of the International Official Hippique Concours began. CHIO means that there is more than one discipline in the tournament. Riders from other disciplines such as dressage, eventing, driving and vaulting also take part in the prestigious competitions in Aachen. The enthralling horsemanship delighted spectators and athletes alike, and by 1938, 120,000 guests from all over the region had come to Aachen. The tradition had become so great that at that time 50 competitions involving 600 horses were already taking place at this new equestrian meeting.

Over time, the riders at CHIO Aachen celebrated great successes, which brought tears to tears, celebrated and inspired riders all over the world. The atmosphere leaves a lasting impression not only on spectators and athletes, but on the entire equestrian community.

German show jumping legend Hans Günter Winkler once said: “Aachen was my equestrian home. I was lucky to be able to win big victories there.”

As early as the early 1950s, show jumping was in full swing and athletes from all over the world dreamt of winning the World Championships. As versatility and vaulting were integrated into CHIO Aachen, the competition grew from year to year.

Then came the World Equestrian Games, which took place in Aachen in 2006. Seven disciplines were represented in the elite competition: jumping, dressage, driving, eventing, vaulting, endurance riding and reining. The competition shaped the perception of equestrian sports around the world: 1.6 billion television viewers watched the events. Before the World Equestrian Games, the FEI European Championships took place, which raised the profile of CHIO Aachen even further.

To this day, CHIO Aachen is one of the biggest annual highlights of top equestrian sport. His nature brings horses, riders and spectators from all over the world to celebrate first-class horsemanship. From June 28 to July 7, 2024, it's that time again: The World Equestrian Festival at CHIO Aachen is making history.

The five disciplines at CHIO Aachen

At CHIO Aachen, there are competitions in five different equestrian disciplines: jumping, dressage, eventing, driving and vaulting. It is one of the few events that combines such a variety of equestrian sports and attracts top riders, drivers and vaulters from around the world.

Aachen is a must for every horse lover, the event caters to every equestrian who is fond of English equestrian sport. With several tests in the respective disciplines, visitors and spectators at CHIO Aachen mark this event in their calendar. The international competition attracts participants from all over the world, including Olympic and World Champions. The event is known for its high level and serves as a platform for athletes to show off their skills and to compete with the best in the world.

The CHIO Aachen takes place in the iconic Sörser Reitstadion in Aachen, which can hold tens of thousands of spectators. The stadium offers a unique atmosphere that is a special experience for both riders and spectators. The venue also offers excellent facilities and infrastructure for all disciplines.

CHIO Aachen dressage

The dressage competitions at CHIO Aachen are a prominent part of the tournament and show the highest level of horsemanship and precision in this discipline. Here you can find some important information about the dressage tests at CHIO Aachen:

CDIO format

The dressage competitions at CHIO Aachen are held in CDIO format, which stands for Concours Dressage International Officiel.” The CDIO is a team competition in which riders represent their nations. Each team consists of three to four riders, whose results are included in the overall standings. The CDIO format gives the dressage competition team dynamism and promotes national pride and camaraderie among riders.

Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle

The dressage competitions at CHIO Aachen focus on the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special tests. The Grand Prix competition is the first qualifying round in which riders have to show various gaits, transitions and dressage lessons. The Grand Prix Special test is a more demanding test that involves additional movements and requires an even higher level of skill and precision. In addition, there is also a Grand Prix Freestyle, in which spectators can expect top-class dressage performances in harmony with the music chosen by the rider.

Some riders who have successfully completed and won the Grand Prix Special include:

Dressage Grand Prix winner

• Carl Hester (Great Britain) - Carl Hester, a successful British dressage rider, won the Grand Prix of Dressage at CHIO Aachen with horses such as Uthopia and Nip Tuck.
• Helen Langehanenberg (Germany) - German dressage rider Helen Langehanenberg is successful with her famous horse Damon Hill in the Dressage Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen.
• Isabell Werth (Germany) - Isabell Werth, one of the most successful dressage riders in history, has won numerous victories at CHIO Aachen. With various horses, including Weihegold OLD and Bella Rose, she has won the Dressage Grand Prix several times.
• Anky van Grunsven (Netherlands) - Anky van Grunsven, another renowned dressage rider, was also successful at CHIO Aachen. With horses such as Salinero and Bonfire, she has already won victories in the Grand Dressage Prize.

Dressage Grand Prix Special winner

• Matthias Alexander Rath (Germany) - Matthias Alexander Rath won the Dressage Grand Prix Special at CHIO Aachen on Totilas, the legendary dressage horse known for his record performances.
• Beatriz Ferrer-Salat (Spain) - Spanish dressage rider Beatriz Ferrer-Salat won the Dressage Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen with her horse Delgado.
• Edward Gal (Netherlands) - Dutch dressage rider Edward Gal has won the Dressage Grand Prix Special several times as part of the Dutch team.
• Charlotte Dujardin (Great Britain) - Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Charlotte Dujardin was successful in the Dressage Grand Prix Special at CHIO Aachen. She has won freestyle victories with horses such as Valegro and Mount St John.

*Please note that this list is just a few examples of notable winners. There are numerous other talented riders who have been successful in Dressage Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special at CHIO Aachen over the years.

Nations Prize

The dressage team competition at CHIO Aachen is known as the “Nations Prize”. It is a highly regarded and coveted title in dressage. The nations compete against each other and the team with the highest total score from the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special emerges victorious. The Nations Prize adds an exciting element to dressage competitions and shows the strength of the various equestrian nations.

Which teams won the Nations Cup in Aachen?

Germany

The German dressage team was very successful at CHIO Aachen and won the Nations Cup several times. But when and with whom in the team was the German dressage team able to secure victory in Aachen?

2021 with Jessica von Bredow Werndl, Carina Scholz, Frederic Wandres & Isabell Werth

2019 with Helen Langenhanenberg, Jessica from Bredow-Werndl, Dorothee Schneider & Isabell Werth

2018 with Helen Langenhanenberg, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, Dorothee Schneider & Isabell Werth

2017 with Dorothee Schneider, Hubertus Schmidt, Sönke Rothenberger & Isabell Werth

2016 with Sönke Rothenberger, Dorothee Schneider, Isabell Werth & Kristina Böring-Sprehe

2015 with Hubertus Schmidt, Isabell Werth, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl & Kristina Böring-Sprehe

2014 with Kristina Sprehe, Isabell Werth, Matthias Alexander Rath & Helen Langenhanenberg

2013 with Fabienne Lütkemeier, Isabell Werth, Anabel Balkenhol & Helen Langenhanenberg

2012 with Dorothee Schneider, Anabel Balkenhol, Kristina Sprehe, Helen Langenhanenberg

2011 with Anabel Balkenhol Christoph Koschel, Isabell Werth, Matthias Alexander Rath

Overall, Germany was able to defend its title 10 years in a row. In addition, the German team also secured victory from 1977 to 2004.

Netherlands

The Dutch dressage team has also achieved great success at CHIO Aachen and has won several victories in the Nations Prize. Notable successes include:

2010: with Adelinde Cornelissen, Edward Gal, Imke Schellekens-Bartels

2009 with Sander van Marijnissen, Marlies van Baalen, Anky van Grunsven, Hans Peter Minderhout

2005: Kirsten Beckers, Laurens van Lieren, Edward Gal, Anky van Grunsven

Denmark

The Danish dressage team was also successful at CHIO Aachen and won the Nations Cup in 2022. Nanna Skodborg-Merrald, Daniel Bachmann Andersen, Carina Cassøe Krüth and Cathrine Dufour were the riders of the winning team in the Aachen Nations Cup 2022.

Top riders and horses

The dressage competitions at CHIO Aachen attract some of the best riders and horses from all over the world. Olympic champions, World Cup winners and renowned dressage athletes bring their exceptional skills and well-trained horses to the square. Spectators have the opportunity to see impressive performances and experience the harmony between rider and horse.

Dressage Stadium

The dressage competitions take place in the Deutsche Bank Stadium, a magnificent arena on the grounds of CHIO Aachen. The stadium offers excellent visibility so that spectators can watch the dressage tests down to the smallest detail. The stadium provides a suitable backdrop for the elegant and precise movements of dressage horses and riders.

Horse & symphony

As a special highlight, the dressage tests are accompanied by “Horse & Symphony” in the main stadium. Horse & Symphony is a glamorous spectacle that shows artistic and choreographed dressage shows to music. It is a unique mix of sport and entertainment that captivates audiences with its beauty and creativity.

The dressage competitions at CHIO Aachen represent the highest level of technique, harmony and elegance in this discipline. They offer top riders and horses a platform to demonstrate their skills, and the Nations Cup format makes for an exciting international competition. In combination with the fantastic backdrop and the captivating horse & symphony performances, the dressage competitions at CHIO Aachen are an exceptional experience for participants and spectators alike.

Show jumping CHIO Aachen

In the world of show jumping, CHIO Aachen has something special for everyone. Elite riders from all over the world meet in Aachen to compete at one of the most renowned tournaments in the world. These competitions include: The Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup, the VBR Prize, the STAWAG Prize and much more! After all, show jumping legends are fighting for victory in the coveted Aachen Grand Prix, part of the Rolex Grand Slam.

The Aachen Grand Prix

To honor the best show jumpers in the world, the Rolex Grand Slam is held at four renowned equestrian centers around the world — in search of true excellence.

In 2013, the Rolex Grand Slam was created, a competition that rewards the athlete who wins three consecutive competitions at four of the most prestigious tournaments in the world: The Dutch Masters, the CSIO Spruce Meadows' Masters', CHIO Aachen and CHI Geneva. With a total prize money of five million dollars, this is a series that every athlete dreams of winning. If a person wins the last Grand Prix in three of the four tournaments in a row, they will also receive the Rolex Grand Slam and an additional one million dollars in prize money.

Since only one rider, Briton Scott Brash, has ever won the Rolex Grand Slam, winning this competition is legendary.

Winner of the Aachen Grand Prix

Here are some of the big winners who won the Aachen Grand Prix since 2013:

2023: Marcus Ehning (GER), Stargold, CHIO Aachen

2022: Gerrit Nieberg (GER), Ben 431, CHIO Aachen

2021: Daniel Deusser (GER), Killer Queen VDM, CHIO Aachen

2019: Kent Farrington (USA), Gazelle, CHIO Aachen

2018: Marcus Ehning (GER), Ready for All, CHIO Aachen

2017: Gregory Wathelet (BEL), Corée, CHIO Aachen

2016: Philipp Weishaupt (GER), LB Convall, CHIO Aachen

2015: Scott Brash (GBR), Hello Sanctos, CHIO Aachen. Scott Brash was the first Rolex Grand Slam winner after winning the Rolex Grand Prix three times in a row.

2014: Christian Ahlmann (GER), Codex One, CHIO Aachen

2013: Nick Skelton (GBR), Big Star, CHIO Aachen

Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup

At the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup, the riders compete in teams of four in two identical rounds to achieve victory. All eight teams qualify for the second round, and the team with the lowest number of penalty points wins. In the event of a tie, there is a jump-off in which a rider from each team rides for first place.

The last winners of the CHIO Aachen Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup in 2022 were Team Germany, consisting of Jana Wargers, Christian Kukuk, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann and Andre Thieme.

The World Equestrian Festival at CHIO Aachen has something for all show jumpers, because legends meet here!

CHIO Aachen eventing

This exciting event is spread over two days, during which the couples compete against each other in dressage, jumping and exciting off-road courses. After each pair has crossed the finish line, the winner is announced, keeping viewers engaged throughout the competition! At the SAP Cup, riders from all over the world, including some Olympic participants, meet to compete in this top-class competition.

This competition puts horses and riders to the test and challenges them in the three disciplines to choose an overall winner. Some previous participants include:

• Tamie Smith and Mai Baum
• Will Coleman and Off the Record
• Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan
• Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus
• Ingrid Klimke And Hale Bob OLD
• Julia Krajewski and Chipmunk FRH
• Christopher Burton and Underdiscussion
• Andrew Nicholson and Nereo
• Frank Ostholt and Air Jordan

and of course the winner of 2022 Sandra Auffarth (GER) with Viamant du Matz, who rides for Team Germany.

Dressage test

The grades of the three judges are shown as an average percentage of 100%. The percentage score is then converted into penalty points so that the dressage score can be combined with the penalty points from jumping and terrain.

The penalty points are calculated as follows: (percentage score - 100) x 1.5

Jumping competition

When jumping up to a height of 1.25 m, horse-rider pairs must overcome eleven to twelve obstacles in a race against time and collect penalty points. The penalty points from dressage and jumping are combined and determine the starting order in the field test. The top 20 riders start last. All other combinations have the same starting order as in dressage and jumping.

Cross-country test

The showdown starts on Saturday morning, when a real showdown of stamina and strength takes place to determine the final winner. With a maximum length of 3990 meters, participants must overcome around 25 obstacles (35 jumps) at a speed of 570 m/min in order to be successful. At the end, the winner is determined.

CHIO Aachen vaulting

At CVIO Aachen, the focus is on vaulting and fascinates viewers with a unique combination of grace, athleticism and partnership with the horse. The event features vaulters who compete in individual, pas de deux (pair) and team rankings, demonstrating their exceptional acrobatic skills and deep connection with the horse.

In its decades-long history, CVIO Aachen has experienced numerous remarkable achievements from talented vaulters from all over the world. In the individual ratings, former 3-star champions have left an unforgettable mark on the sport. They have pushed the limits of what is possible in vaulting and achieved an exceptional level of technical precision and artistic expression.

In the Pas de Deux category, former 3-star champions have shown the seamless coordination and synchronization that is the result of years of practice and joint commitment. Their performances captivated the audience and emphasized the remarkable trust and harmony between the two vaulters and their partner Pferd.

The CVIO Aachen team rankings also showed remarkable achievements in teamwork, precision and creativity. These achievements are proof of the skill, discipline and unity of the entire team.

The competition at CVIO Aachen comprises a variety of tests in which vaulters must prove their skills in various ways. During the compulsory tests, vaulters must perform certain movements and exercises that require technical mastery and precision. These tests serve as the basis for the more creative and expressive cure tests, in which vaulters have the opportunity to choreograph their exercises and contribute their own artistic flair.

The CVIO Aachen has become a prestigious event in the vaulting calendar and attracts top athletes from all over the world. It provides vaulters with a platform to demonstrate their talent, passion and dedication to sport. The competition not only shows the exceptional sportiness of the participants, but also celebrates the deep connection between the vaulters, the horse and the artistry of their performances.

Watch how the vaulters effortlessly dance with their horses and partners and amaze the spectators and judges.

Driving CHIO Aachen

The four-in-hand driving discipline keeps spectators on the edge of their seats! Between the dressage test and the marathon in individual and team driving, spectators eagerly await the announcement of the winners.

Drivers must overcome a series of obstacles on their way to the finish line, and they need to be both fast and flawless to have the best chance of winning the championship title. Some of the competitions include:

• Martello Immobilienmanagement GmbH & Co. KG prize (dressage competition for four-in-hand drivers, individual & team)
• Prize of Horsch, Der Entsorger “Hunt for points” (obstacle driving competition for four-in-hand drivers)
• Schwartz Group Prize (marathon running for four-in-hand, individual & team)
• Event Rent GmbH Prize (four-player obstacle course with victory lap)

At the end of the overall competition on Sunday, the awards ceremonies for the individual and team standings will take place. The points of the individual participants are added up and count towards the Richard Talbot Family Prize to choose an overall winner. For the Boehringer Ingelheim Nations' Cup, the team competition, the two best results of the three-person team are counted for the final team classification

• 2022: Boyd Excell from Australia won the Richard Talbot Family Prize
• 2022: The Dutch team won the Boehringer Ingelheim Nations' Cup

CHIO Aachen: The Most Important Questions and Answers

What is CHIO Aachen?

CHIO Aachen is one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. Held annually in Aachen, Germany, it is an official FEI Nations Cup tournament and a highlight of the international equestrian calendar.

Why is CHIO Aachen called the “World Equestrian Festival”?

CHIO Aachen brings together world-class riders in dressage, show jumping, eventing, driving, and vaulting. With more than 350,000 spectators, it is one of the largest equestrian events worldwide.

Which disciplines are featured at CHIO Aachen?

The event includes show jumping, dressage (including Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle), eventing, driving, and vaulting competitions.

What is the Nations Cup in Aachen?

The Nations Cup is a prestigious team competition in show jumping where the world’s leading equestrian nations compete against each other.

Is CHIO Aachen part of the Rolex Grand Slam?

Yes, the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen is part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, alongside Geneva, ’s-Hertogenbosch, and Calgary.

Where does CHIO Aachen take place?

The tournament is held at the Aachen Soers showgrounds, one of Europe’s most iconic equestrian venues.

How can you watch CHIO Aachen live?

CHIO Aachen is broadcast internationally and available via livestream on platforms such as ClipMyHorse.TV.

When does CHIO Aachen take place?

The event usually takes place in June or July and runs for approximately ten days.