Rio de Janeiro is partner of the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2012

It is hardly possible for messengers to be more popular: Nelson and Rodrigo Pessoa and Alvaro “Doda” Afonso de Miranda Neto came to Aachen to present Rio de Janeiro as the partner country of the CHIO Aachen 2012. Brazil’s equestrian sport legend, Nelson Pessoa, two-time winner of the ROLEX Grand Prix, the Grand Prix of Aachen, could hardly contain his excitement: “Aachen is the best show in the world, it is an honour for my home city, Rio, to be a partner of the CHIO.”

Alvaro Miranda and Rodrigo Pessoa will be actively participating in the CHIO Aachen. “Aachen is like having an Olympic Games every year,” commented Doda. When he rode into the stadium for the first time in 1995, he almost didn’t hear the bell, “because he was so overwhelmed by the atmosphere.” Rodrigo Pessoa announced what the guests from Sugar Loaf Mountain will be bringing with them: “Brazilian people are famous for their warmth, the people are extremely friendly and of course we also really enjoy celebrating. The atmosphere at the CHIO will be fantastic.” For him personally 1994 was a special year: He was able to win the ROLEX Grand Prix, the Grand Prix of Aachen and his father Nelson came third – the photo showing father and son at the prize-giving ceremony was circulated all over the world: “That was a unique moment for me and my father – but somehow that is exactly what distinguishes Aachen from other shows: There are always exceptional moments here.“

The Show Director, Frank Kemperman, revealed what the visitors of the “RIO-CHIO” can expect to look forward to: 200 Brazilians will be travelling to Aachen with 80 horses, among others the world-renowned “Grande Rio Samba School”, one of the most famous Samba schools in Rio and a permanent fixture on the programme of the legendary carnival.
The “Bahia Dance Group” already gave a taste of the Brazilian joie de vivre yesterday. Samba performances – despite it only being 8 degrees – meant there was plenty of fun to be had by all. Following tradition, the partner countries also bring horse breeds with them, this year at the CHIO it will be the Mangalarga Marchadores (Brazilian gaited horses, the third largest horse breed in the world) and Criollos, the famous horses of the Gauchos. Above all the Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, July 3rd, will be hallmarked by the spirit of Rio de Janeiro. Tickets for the sensational event are available from the hotline on +44-(0)241-917-1111) or online at www.chioaachen.de. “We are thrilled that the most exciting city in the world is meeting up with the most exciting equestrian show in the world,” Kemperman stated.

Carl Meulenbergh, President of Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V., the organisers, made reference to the long tradition of its CHIO-Aachen partners: “In 2001 we welcomed the first partner country to the Soers, Spain, this was the beginning of a wonderful tradition – we fondly remember our Dutch friends, Portugal, Hungary, Russia or most recently Italy and partner regions such as Normandy, NRW, Flanders or Styria.” Now we are also hoping among other things for Brazilian weather to round everything off perfectly. Rodrigo Pessoa promised that we will experience true Southern American sunshine: “We`ll take care of that.”