Aachen Equestrian Festival 2019
July 13 (arrive Dusseldorf july 14)-22, 2019
We have always enjoyed the Aachen Equestrian Festival and look forward to returning in 2019. Aachen is a lovely city with charming architecture, good restaurants and our very comfortable hotel, the Aquis Grana, is just a short walk from the main square, the Cathedral and the historic Rathaus.
Our Dressage program includes season tickets for all dressage events as well as the Main Stadium Opening Ceremonies and Jumping on Tuesday and the Sunday afternoon Grand Prix of Aachen (Jumping) with the closing ceremonies. For Show Jumping enthusiasts we have season tickets to all jumping events in the Turkish Airlines stands (formerly the Reiter Tribune), category 1 and the Sunday morning Dressage Freestyle.
Tickets will be purchased well in advance, as we know they must be, so we will have space for a limited number of guests. If you have an interest in joining us in Aachen in 2019, it is best to reserve early.
Note: there are only 2 Dressage and 2 jumping packages available. Reservations must be limited to either Dressage or Jumping package. (See “inclusions” regarding Jumping opening ceremonies and Sunday Jumping final on the Dressage package and Dressage Freestyle on the Jumping package)
Saturday, July 13: Depart for Aachen
Depart for Germany & Aachen today. Please arrange your flights to Dusseldorf which generally offers the best airfare and connections.
Sunday, July 14: Welcome to Germany
We have arranged scheduled transfers from Dusseldorf Airport to our hotel during the day, with the last transfer at 2:00pm. For those arriving later, there is rail transportation to Aachen from the airport, via Dusseldorf.
Enjoy the afternoon free to explore. Perhaps enjoy a walk up to the Marktplatz, with the imposing Rathaus, and the pubs and many restaurants with outdoor dining. We look forward to seeing you this evening at our cocktail party, prior to dinner.
Monday, July 15: 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 visit the magnificent Cathedral, begun by Charlemagne. Lunch at one of the Marktplatz pubs and this afternoon explore at leisure.
Tuesday, July 16: Aachen Equestrian Festival Begins
Walk to the Bushof together this morning. This will give you an opportunity to see the stadium complex, the marketplace and the Deutsche Bank Stadium, the venue for Dressage. The Opening Ceremonies for the Aachen Equestrian Festival are followed by a young horse jumping competition.
Wednesday, July 17 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, July 18: Dressage CDIO Grand Prix & Nations Cup Jumping
Because of the popularity of the Grand Prix CDIO 5*, it will be in the main stadium, most likely in the evening. During the day there will be several jumping competitions, including the Nation’s Cup. Driving dressage continues in the Driving Stadium.
Friday, July 19: 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, with the Eventing show jumping phase this evening as well. Driving cone phase takes place in the Driving Stadium. The evening in the Deutsche Bank Stadium begins with 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 20: GP Special & Freestyle, Eventing Cross Country, Driving Marathon and Jumping
For Dressage, a very full day with a GP Special 5* and U-25 GP Freestyle. The evening program features the Grand Prix Freestyle 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 21: Rolex Grand Prix Show Jumping & the Dressage Freestyle
This is Grand Prix Day at the Aachen Equestrian Festival with the Grand Prix Dressage of Aachen and the GP Freestyle CDIO in the Dressage stadium in the morning. 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 22: Depart for home
Farewell to Aachen today. We will arrange for a morning coach transfers to Dusseldorf Airport.
Rates & inclusions:
Twin room or double room; $2,595 per person; Single room; $3,195 per person
Program includes:
8 nights’ hotel accommodations with buffet breakfast daily; 2 receptions and dinners; half day walking tour with lunch; excellent reserved seat admission to the Aachen Festival (season ticket for all Dressage competitions plus Show Jumping Tuesday and Sunday for the Opening & Closing Ceremonies or Show Jumping season ticket plus Dressage Freestyle, Sunday morning); services of Equestrian Tours host; daily transfers to the venue provided by the city of Aachen.
