Aachen Equestrian Festival 2021
June 26 (Arrive Dusseldorf June 27) – July 5, 2021
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 do sell out, so please don’t delay if you are interested. Aachen is the finest equestrian competition offered anywhere in just about any given year.
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 – Dressage or Jumping – 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 well located Hotel Aquis Grana. I believe this will mark our 18th year!
Our program will be the same as 2020, which is sold out at present. We have begun taking reservations for 2021 and look forward to another wonderful visit to Aachen.
Saturday, June 26
Depart for Germany & Aachen today. Please arrange your flights to Dusseldorf which generally offers the best airfare and connections.
Sunday, June 27
We will arrange scheduled transfers from Dusseldorf Airport to our hotel during the day, with the last transfer at 2:30pm. 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 restaurants with outdoor dining. We look forward to seeing you this evening at our cocktail party, prior to dinner.
Monday, June 28
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, June 29
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 are followed by a young horse jumping competition.
Wednesday, June 30
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 1
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 2
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 3
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 4
This is Grand Prix Day at the Aachen 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 5
Farewell to Aachen today. We will arrange for a morning coach transfers to Dusseldorf Airport.
