Dressage un Ltd, Unlimited Dressage, CHIO Aachen 2002

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CHIO Aachen
2002

Dutch Royalty to Attend CHIO

The Netherlands will be the partner country at the "World Equestrian Festival - CHIO Aachen 2002" in the Soers. "And of course the most significant aspect may not be forgotten: The Dutch Royalty", explains Frank Kemperman, himself a Dutch, and General Manager of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV). Thus Aachen is expecting a famous guest: Her Royal Highness Queen Beatrix has personally announced her attendance on the occasion of the "World Equestrian Festival". And she won't be coming alone. Apart from the impressive presentations of the Dutch horse breeding associations, a very special attraction will be arriving in the Soers for the tournament weekend. The Royal Stable Department from Den Haag will send a selection of its very valuable carriage collection to Aachen, to present the magnificent past and present of Dutch aristocracy to the audience at the "World Equestrian Festival"

Carriages have always played a major role in the life of the Dutch Royalty: They were the main means of transportation until the first World War, whereas today these exquisite carriages are exclusively used for ceremonies or recreation. It is the privilege of only two specially selected sections of carriage horses to draw these jewels of carriage-building, some of which are almost two hundred years old. Apart from horses of the Frisian Horse Stood Book, only Gelderlandse and Groninger carriage horses of the Royal Warmblood Horse Stud Book of the Netherlands (KWPN) are hitched in front of these royal coaches.

On the event-weekend the visitors will be able to admire the large variety of the coaches in Aachen. In addition to the leisure carriages, such as the "Pony Tonneau", a small vehicle originally built as a ladies' carriage in 1910, as well as a "deerstalking carriage" drawn by four Gelderlandse horses, which was used for hunting expeditions by the Royal Family, there will also be splendid state coaches heading for Aachen.
The oldest and most popular of them will surely attract the most attention: The "Gala Glas Berline", built in 1836 for the Prince of Oranje. Drawn by six proud Frisian horses and guided by an honorary escort of six cavalry and police riders will attract the spectators' attention. All in all the Stable Department possesses six Gala Berlines, with the "Gala Glas Berline" being the oldest and most famous of those traditional travel coaches. As a wedding carriage it has already brought several members of the Royal Family to the altar. And with its distinctive glass side-panels it contributes to the splendid parade at the annual "Prinsjesdag" (official ceremony to announce the beginning of the parliament year).

The ceremonies of the Dutch Royalty also couldn't be imagined without the "Blue Calèche", built 1875 in Paris. In Aachen the lightweight, open carriage will be drawn by two Frisian horses. This elegant carriage, with its unobtrusive ornaments on a dark blue base coat, is especially favoured by the Royal Family.

Yet another highlight of the carriage parade will be the "Gala Landauer", a landau-carriage built in 1872 in Den Haag. In Aachen the "Gala Landauer" will be drawn by four "Gelderlandse" horses and it will be presented in a traditional "stagecoach hitch", which means that the carriage will be steered by two stagecoach drivers riding two of the carriage horses. The Royal Stable Department owns two of these beautiful "Gala Landauers". Due to its magnificent appearance the Landauer was often taken into action for state visits or at the "Prinsjesdag". In their traditional livery the coachmen and stagecoach drivers will top off Aachen's carriage parade and spread royal flair throughout the Soers.

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