2006 CHIO Aachen

Shop-window competition - which is the most attractive decoration?

Anyone who strolls through the city centre in and around Aachen is not just going on a shopping trip, but also on a nostalgic journey into the past. The 15th CHIO shop-window competition for the best World Equestrian Festival decoration is still running until May 21st. The shops are reviving the past with an array of photos, personal memorabilia and rare exhibits. Both the CHIO 2006 (May 17th to 21st) and the shop-window competition are following the motto "50 years plus 1 - experience equestrian history ".

An ideal opportunity for customers and buyers to reminisce: About the many sporting highlights, equestrian legends or their own experiences in Aachen during the past 51 years, since 1955, when the legendary Hans Günter Winkler took the (show-jumping) title at the first World Championships at the Soers. A panel of judges will award prizes for the best shop-windows. Furthermore, there will be a prize from the public for the first time this year: Up until May 15th, equestrian fans can vote for their "favourite shop-window" on the website www.chioaachen.de.

The shop-window competition is a joint initiative of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV), the Aachener Zeitung (AZ) and the City Market and Campaign Committee. Although the CHIO is shorter and doesn't have a partner country this year, 70 shops still entered the competition. "This shows how deeply rooted the CHIO is in the region. When the tournament starts, the whole of Aachen is on the move and they hardly talk about anything else," comments ALRV General Manager, Frank Kemperman.

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