From the 11th through to the 23rd of August, around 450,000 people are expected to visit Aachen, Germany, for the 2015 Fédération Equestre Internationale European Championships. With five main events on show, 2015 looks set to be a phenomenal year.

The best horses and their riders will be fighting it out for the coveted medals across the 13 days and there are sure to be plenty of thrills and spills to keep the audience entertained and on the edge of their seats.

Who will emerge victorious and take the gold this year? Britain will be hoping for victory from Charlotte Dujardin, who is defending her European title, but German riders Isabell Werth, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Kristina Bröring-Sprehe will be hoping for some inspiration from the home crowd.

A Grand Return

This is not the first time that Aachen has played host to the equine elite. Back in 1958, the European Show Jumping Championships were held here, only the second in what has proved to be a long running series.

Things have changed somewhat since the early days, however, and the huge crowd are now treated to a spectacle that involves five equestrian disciplines as opposed to the singular events of yesteryear.

Aachen is steeped in equestrian history and many regard it as one of the finest showgrounds for the sport across the world. This has been further enhanced by the erection of an entirely new stand in the Deutsche Bank Stadium, built specifically for the 2015 event.

The Opening Ceremony

The stage is set for the 11th August 2015, where those lucky enough to have a ticket will be able to witness the spectacle of the history of Aachen-Laurensberger-Rennverein acted out before them. Some of the worlds most proficient riders will be on hand to delight the crowd with a show that will provide unforgettable moments as they re-enact famous moments from the organisations long history.

The Disciplines

The disciplines on show here this year go far beyond the usual show jumping and dressage. With the addition of reining, driving and vaulting, this year’s event looks set to be the highlight of the equestrian calendar.

Of course, the two main events will still be the show jumping and the dressage, but the addition of three further disciplines will no doubt add to the enjoyment of the crowd.

Tickets

Tickets are still available via the Aachen 2015 website. However, as one would imagine, these are selling fast. A maximum of 6 tickets per day, per customer are available, so the opportunity for a fabulous family day out is there should you wish to enjoy it with your loved ones.

Getting There

International travel is made easy by the fantastic links to and from the championships. The A4 motorway is the most direct route by car, either through Germany itself or if you are entering the country via the Netherlands.

Public transport serves the area well too, with both bus and train coverage ensuring a smooth journey for all who choose to use these modes of transport.

For those travelling from abroad, European travel insurance is strongly recommended. Being prepared for any eventuality will allow you to fully enjoy your stay in this fabulous part of Germany.

Featured images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: https://pixabay.com/en/reiter-horse-show-jumping-772301/

Roxanne Seabourne is the Marketing Executive for Avanti Travelcare, who specialise in travel insurance for those with pre-existing medical conditions, and are one of very few that have no upper age limit on their policies.