Angela Merkel: FEI WEG an unforgettable experience - VIPs take on a promoting role

Aachen. Top sport, top atmosphere: A week before the FEI World Equestrian Games commence, the anticipation among the sportsmen and women, spectators and numerous celebrities is growing steadily. The Federal Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is looking forward to an "unforgettable experience" and the actress Veronica Ferres to the "breath-taking setting of the equestrian stadium". Well-known celebrities, including Udo Jürgens, Stefan Raab and Guido Westerwelle are promoting the title championships in seven disciplines. They are looking forward to two weeks of top sport and Aachen's special atmosphere. And the equestrian fans are pleased that tickets are still available. These can be ordered from the hotline on +49-(0)241-917-1111, and all further information is also available online at www.aachen2006.de. "We are still in the fortunate position of being able to offer tickets for all of the disciplines," comments Michael Mronz, member and spokesman of the OC Aachen 2006. There are even tickets left for the dressage and show-jumping "international games". Whereas the German show-jumping team are top favourites to win the gold medal, the situation on the dressage scene is very close: For the first time in 30 years the World Champion gold medal seems to be endangered, strong competition from the Dutch team around Anky van Grunsven is putting Nadine Capellmann and co. under great pressure. The eventing competitions, where everyone is waiting for just one thing: the sporting reply to Athens, promise to be highly exciting too. After being stripped of the Olympic gold medal by the green table decision, Bettina Hoy's single aim is to take the World Championship title. One thing seems certain regarding these World Championships: "Aachen is the Wimbledon of equestrian sport." Who said it? Michael Stich, former winner of Wimbledon.


What the celebrities say:

We are looking forward to the FEI World Equestrian Games because...


Johannes B. Kerner: "...we want the World Championship fever to continue. Now, it's time for the World Equestrian Games and as a dessert the Hockey World Championships in September."

Udo Jürgens: "...as one of the oldest forms of sport, the equestrian sport is closely linked with the cultural history of the human race. And Aachen is one of the most attractive and traditional show venues in the world."

Marietta Slomka: "...I am a passionate horse fan myself and hope that the power of nature alone wins in Aachen."

Michael Stich: "...Aachen is the Wimbledon of equestrian sport. Sporting history has been written on the traditional grass ring in the Aachen show-jumping stadium for decades."

Jürgen Thumann: "...with over 800 competitors and more than 500,000 visitors, the FEI World Equestrian Games is the largest sporting and economic event of the year 2006 in Germany after the Football World Cup."

Guido Westerwelle: "...Germany will experience exciting sport and will have the chance to promote itself throughout the entire world."

Angela Merkel: "...the Germans have always been keen fans of equestrian sport. The perfect interplay between horse and rider fascinates both young and old - and has done for generations already. The big sporting victories of the German riders, particularly in the fields of dressage and show-jumping, remain unforgotten. I am sure that the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen will be an unforgettable experience for both the competitors and the spectators."

Sky Dumont: "...I have been a passionate rider myself for 50 years and extremely enjoy watching riding tournaments. It's pure excitement!"

Veronica Ferres: "...with its long tradition in the equestrian world and the breath-taking setting of the "Aachen Soers" equestrian stadium, Aachen is a worthy successor to the previous venues of past years: Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), Rome, Den Haag and Stockholm. I am looking forward to watching exciting finals in the dressage arena and in the show-jumping ring at the FEI World Equestrian Games 2006 in Aachen."

Dr. Thomas Bach: "...in 2006 Germany is the host of several World Championships in different fascinating sports. After the table-tennis and football players, and prior to the hockey players, the world's best riders will be united in Aachen. I wish the riders and their horses, the organisers and spectators exciting competitions, the appropriate weather and fair, clean sport, and of course good luck to the German team."

Stefan Raab: "...I already put the fear of God into everyone at the TV-Total Show-jumping Championships in Aachen, so I luckily don't have to prove anything else at the WEG. I can relax, lean back and put my legs up and let the others snatch all the medals."

Klaus Pavel, President of the organising company, the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V.: "...we will experience an emotional and exciting festival. People from all over the world will visit Aachen and when they return to their native countries they will report about their encounters in Germany with enthusiasm. The equestrian sport will thus create new friendships between the different nations."

Ticket hotline for the FEI World Equestrian Games:

+49-(0)241-917-1111

Informations about tickets