The Chio Aachen 2021 Returns to the Soers Showgrounds in Germany

From dressage to show jumping, the biggest equestrian festival Chio Aachen supported by Rolex returns for its 2021 edition at the historic Aachen Soers showgrounds in Germany

When it comes to the equine sporting world, nothing quite measures up to the scale that is the Chio (Concours Hippique International Officiel) Aachen World Equestrian Festival. In fact, the Chio Aachen is considered the most prestigious horse show in Europe, especially in the events of showjumping and dressage.

The Chio Aachen has long been revered as the oldest and most traditional horse show in Germany with its rooting dating back to 1924. Since then, this revered show has come to be an arena for the world’s best equestrians to compete in the five most recognisable disciplines of the sport: vaulting, showjumping, dressage, eventing (a single horse and rider combine and compete against other competitors across the three disciplines of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping), and driving (a sport involving carriage driving).

Taking place from September 10 to 19, the 2021 Chio Aachen World Equestrian Festival will again be playing host to elite equestrians from around the world at the Soers showgrounds in Aachen, Germany.

The Rolex Grand Slam, a prize awarded to a rider that is able to take the win in their discipline in all four of the major equestrian events

Above The Rolex Grand Slam, a prize awarded to a rider that is able to take a consecutive win three of the show jumping majors

Rolex has long held an enduring relationship with equestrian sports, one that dates back more than six decades and underlines the Swiss watchmaker’s long-term support and commitment to it. Besides supporting the Chio Aachen World Equestrian festival for more than 20 years, the brand has also backed the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping since 2013. The Grand Slam is the title bestowed on any rider, who wins three consecutive tournaments out of the four majors—Dutch Masters, Chio Aachen, Csio Spruce Meadows "Masters" and Chi Geneva. It’s a remarkable feat because it takes more than skills and experience to achieve it; it requires consistency, precision and excellence—traits that Rolex is known and valued for. Till today, only one athlete, Rolex Testimonee and British showjumper Scott Brash, has won the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2015.

Above Rolex Testimonee Scott Brash is the first and only show jumper to receive the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping prize

Rolex Testimonee Isabell Werth with her beloved dressage horse Bella Rose in the 2017 rendition of the Chio Aachen World Equestrian Festival

Above Rolex Testimonee Isabell Werth with her beloved dressage horse Bella Rose in the 2017 rendition of the Chio Aachen World Equestrian Festival

Rolex Testimonee Kent Farrington from the United States won the 2019 edition with Gazelle. On his victory, he said: “This is the best win. This is the best show, Rolex really raises the level of the sport, you have the best riders on the best horses and this is one of the most prestigious events we have in our sport. The history of winners here is filled with the best riders in the world and I’m very proud to join them.”

Who will emulate Farrington in this year's Chio Aachen? Will talents such as Brash and Rolex Testimonees Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs as well as Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher from Great Britain steal the thunder? All eyes will also be on Rolex Testimonee and German rider Isabell Werth, who will be retiring her beloved horse, Bella Rose, after this year's dressage events.

If anything, this year’s edition of the Chio Aachen will certainly be a spectacle to behold—and we are looking forward to it.

Topics

Rolex Equestrian CHIO Aachen Rolex Testimonee Show Jumping Dressage Eventing Vaulting Four-in-hand Driving Driving Scott Brash Isabell Werth Ben Maher Kent Farrington

Tatler Asia

The Chio Aachen 2021 Returns to the Soers Showgrounds in Germany