Ask Birgit Rosenberg about her favourite moment from the first week of the World Championships and you will initially encounter a thoughtful silence – followed by the realisation that there isn’t one definitive answer: “I simply can’t say,” remarked the Sports Director of the FEI World Championships. Instead, she listed the highlights that are etched in her memory from over the past few days: “The dressage competition under floodlights was a truly special moment, in terms of both the sport and the atmosphere. We also had a fantastic day on the Cross-Country Course and an incredible vibe during the vaulting events.” She could probably continue raving about many of the other classes, but ultimately, she opted for a simple, concise summary of the competitions: “In sporting terms, the performances we witnessed over the week were all extremely high-calibre.”

While the sport itself is naturally closest to Birgit Rosenberg’s heart, she also made a point of highlighting the crowd: 240,000 visitors attended the first half of the FEI World Championships. “Alongside the athletes, our spectators are the most valuable asset of these World Championships. Without them, the Allianz Park wouldn’t be the same and that unique atmosphere simply wouldn’t exist,” she emphasised. The cheers from the vibrant arenas could be heard far beyond the Soers show grounds. “You won’t find anything like this anywhere else in the world. It is something unique to Aachen,” Rosenberg is convinced.

But the Sports Director didn’t just mention emotional moments at the Allianz Park, the world-famous showgrounds at the Aachen Soers. It has namely become a tradition at championships for the medal winners to be welcomed and celebrated in the city itself. This year was no exception: Every evening, spectators could cheer on their equestrian heroes and watch them sign the City of Aachen’s Golden Book. “What’s happening at the Katschhof and the market square is simply wonderful. In addition to the medal winners themselves, I have seen many other athletes there, who also want to experience this amazing atmosphere in person,” Rosenberg reported. Adding that as a Board Member of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein, organisers of the event, she has already received countless messages across various channels. “Everyone is raving about Aachen,” she said happily.

Naturally, the aim is for this enthusiasm to continue as the best show-jumpers, para dressage riders and four-in-hand drivers compete for their medals. Looking ahead to the coming week, Birgit Rosenberg finds it hard to choose which item on the programme she is most excited about: “The Show Jumping Team Final under floodlights is always a highlight in Aachen, as is the Marathon Day of the four-in-hand drivers. But having Para Dressage on this stage for the first time is also a special milestone.”