Aachen Equestrian Festival – 2022
June 25 (Arrive Dusseldorf June 26) – July 4, 2022
It is never too early to think about reserving for our Aachen Equestrian Festival program. Season tickets regularly sell out nine to ten months in advance of the Festival, which is why we purchase our tickets a year or more in advance! In doing so we must limit our purchase to expected demand. We have sold out the last three years, so please don’t delay if you are interested. Aachen is the finest equestrian competition offered anywhere in just about any given year, and for 2022 will be the major selection trial for the World Championships. I would expect that everyone you might see in Herning will be at the Aachen Festival!
The city of Aachen is inviting, historic and filled with friendly pubs and restaurants. But you will be spending most of you time at the Aachen Festival venue as there are classes for both Dressage and Jumping almost every day and evening. Our programs offer the option of Dressage season tickets (with jumping and opening ceremonies on Tuesday and Grand Prix of Aachen and closing ceremonies on Sunday) or Show Jumping season tickets (with the Grand Prix Freestyle on Sunday morning).
As always, we will be accommodated by our friends at the very comfortable and well – located Hotel Aquis Grana. I believe this will mark our 18th year!
Saturday, June 25: Depart for Aachen
Depart for Germany & Aachen today. Please arrange your flights to Dusseldorf which generally offers the best airfare and connections and from which we have arranged Aachen transfers.
Sunday, June 26: Welcome to Germany
We have arranged scheduled transfers from Dusseldorf Airport to our hotel during the day, with the last transfer usually at 3:00pm.
Enjoy the afternoon free to explore. Perhaps enjoy a walk up to the Marktplatz, with the imposing Rathaus, and the pubs and restaurants with outdoor dining. We look forward to seeing you this evening at our cocktail party, prior to dinner.
Monday, June 27: Walking tour of Aachen
A buffet breakfast is included each morning. Today enjoy a walking tour of Aachen, once a Roman spa town, which still offers the “Aachen water”. Later this morning we visit the magnificent Cathedral, begun by Charlemagne. Lunch following our visit and this afternoon explore at leisure.
Tuesday, June 28: The Aachen Equestrian Festival Begins
Walk to the Bushof together this morning. This will give you an opportunity to see the stadium complex, the marketplace, jumping stadium and the Deutsche Bank Stadium, the venue for Dressage. The Opening Ceremonies are followed by a young horse jumping competition.
Wednesday, June 29: Prix St George & Grand Prix CDI 4*
Today in the Deutsche Bank Stadium there will be a morning Prix St George and later a Grand Prix CDI 4*. A full day of jumping in the main stadium and Driving dressage phase begins in the Driving Stadium. The marketplace here has a wonderful selection of vendors and includes a wide selection of dining options.
Thursday, June 30: Dressage CDIO Grand Prix & Nations Cup Jumping
The Grand Prix CDIO 5* takes place in the Deutsche Bank Stadium throughout the day. In the Main stadium there will be several jumping competitions working up to the Nation’s Cup this evening. Driving dressage continues in the Driving Stadium.
Friday, July 1: Eventing Dressage & Jumping, Grand Prix Special 4* and Jumping
The Deutsche Bank Stadium will be the site of Eventing dressage phase this morning. Show Jumping continues in the main stadium, including the always interesting “Hunting” competition over ditches and banks. This evening the Eventing show jumping phase will take place in the Main Stadium. Driving cone phase takes place in the Driving Stadium. In the Deutsche Bank Stadium this evening the FEI Intermediate II, a Quadrille Championship and the Grand Prix Special CDI 4*.
If you would like to do some exploring, you can take a bus to Maastricht, Holland, today, just 45 minutes away, and spend time visiting this really lovely city with great restaurants and shops.
Saturday, July 2: GP Special & Freestyle, Eventing Cross Country, Driving Marathon and Jumping
For Dressage, a very full day with a GP Special CDIO 5*. The evening program features the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 4*. In the adjacent park the Eventing cross country phase is followed by the marathon phase for the four-in-hand driving. The main stadium will have several jumping competitions during the day.
Sunday, July 3: Rolex Grand Prix Show Jumping, Dressage Freestyle and Driving Cones
This is Grand Prix Day at the Aachen Festival with the Grand Prix of Aachen CDIO 5*. In the main stadium will be Grand Prix of Aachen/Show Jumping and the Farewell to Nations. We have included tickets to both today.
This evening we will gather for a reception at our hotel followed by dinner at a lovely nearby restaurant.
Monday, July 4: Depart for home
Farewell to Aachen today. We will arrange for a morning coach transfers to Dusseldorf Airport.