Donaueschingen rejoices for horses
Donaueschingen rejoices, the streets are crowded with spectators, clubs and groups stroll through the source city of the Danube – the grand parade traditionally heralds the International S. D. Prince Joachim zu Fürstenberg Memorial Tournament in Donaueschingen.
In recent years, the people of Donaueschingen have missed this colorful, cheerful parade as much as the participants have. 2024 is the year again: On Thursday, September 12, starting from 5:30 PM hundreds of participants will parade through the streets to the tournament grounds at the Brigach and welcome the CHI.
The parade this year is themed:
“70 Years of CHI Donaueschingen – Tradition in a New Light”
More than 20 groups and clubs have already registered, including carriage teams, fanfare bands, and music clubs. The CHI partner Straub-Verpackungen has planned something very special: Straub is providing cardboard stick horses for schools and kindergartens, which children can then customize personally – creativity without limits. It gets even better: The children can also participate in the parade with their stick horses.
Best presentations will be awarded
As in previous years, this year’s parade will also award the best presentations. The task is to interpret the above-mentioned theme in the best possible way. The display can be on horseback, with a carriage, or on foot. The important thing is: the partner horse must be the focal point. Representatives of the princely house, the event agency Schafhof Connects, the town, and a prominent rider are on the jury. The winners will be celebrated and honored at around 7:15 PM after the parade in the show jumping arena in the riding stadium.
Showcase Horse Breeding
“As a breeding association, we naturally always strive,” says Norbert Freistedt, managing director and marketing manager of the Baden-Württemberg Horse Breeding Association, “to attract public attention – to horse breeding, but also to horses in general.” That is why the breeding association definitely wants to be part of the newly established tournament in Donaueschingen. “We will have participants in the parade, we are putting together a selected collection of foals for our DSP Foal Auction, and we will be hosting our 'Showcase Horse Breeding' on Thursday evening.” The breeding association will present itself for about an hour, honoring outstanding breeders, the young breeders of Baden-Württemberg will shake up the lawn, and the association will demonstrate the range of its horse breeding. “We oversee around 30 breeds in our breeding association,” says Freistedt. “With about ten mares and foals, we want to show a cross-section – from the Black Forest Coldblood to sport horses, riding ponies to Shetland ponies.” Of course, the DSP stallion owners will also be there, especially the Main and State Stud Marbach, which is also involved in the CHI on other days.
A special treat: On this day, the Baden-Württemberg Horse Breeding Association invites all its breeders to the magnificent castle park.
This first CHI evening concludes with a highlight: Anne-Gaëlle Bertho will enchant the audience. The equestrian artist will present excerpts from her liberty dressage with five horses and a dog. Moments of trust, beauty, and emotions combined with a wonderful touch of humor.
Donaueschingen's 70th birthday tournament couldn't start more beautifully.
(KiK/pe&pa)