2026 Aachen Dressage Days: Appetizer and MER Qualification Event for Summer World Championships

2026 Aachen Dressage Days

The Aachen Dressage Days, a boutique-style CDI competition hosted by the Aachener Dressurverein, will serve as an appetizer and important MER qualification event in the lead-up to the World Championships at the same venue - the legendary show grounds in Aachen - later this summer.

Under the direction of Renate and Franz-Josef Dahmen, this CDI takes place on Monday 4 May through Wednesday 6 May 2026.

Early Week Action for Youth and Senior Riders

The 2026 Aachen Dressage Days includes five divisions with classes for juniors, young riders, Under 25, a small tour and 3* big tour.

The president of the ground jury is German 4* judge Nicole Nockemann, assisted by 5* judges Raphael Saleh, Katrina Wüst, and Evi Eisenhardt as well as 4* judges Hans Voser and Sven Rothenberger. The ground jury is completed by 3* Sascha Schulz and Lukasz Walter.

Olympic champions Jessica von Bredow-Werndl
and Dalera did their first international Grand Prix
tests in 2018, incl. at the Aachen Dressage Days

With this panel of judges Grand Prix riders will have the opportunity to achieve their Minimum Eligibility Requirement score (2x 66%) to qualify for the 2026 World Championships. Asian small tour riders will get a chance to improve form and collect scores towards the 2026 Asian Games in Japan in September. Youth riders can consolidate form and savour the experience of riding in Aachen while aiming for the European youth championships.

On Hallowed Grounds

Participants at this CDI will be the first to ride in the newly renovated Allianz stadium which has been upgraded with a roof for the World Championships.

Come and join this event to compete in a serene and relaxed atmosphere, while enjoying the grandeur of the venue at the same time. A small trade fair with shops and catering will be available ringside and admittance is free!

"We began with the Aachen Dressage Days in 2018 and have staged so many more editions each year because the feedback from the riders has always been fantastic," said show organizer Renate Dahmen. "We want to keep this event intimate and fun, yet at a high professional level with good judges so that riders can achieve their goals in the best setting. The stables, warm-up arenas, footing; everything is excellent in Aachen and that's the best treatment everyone deserves: horses and riders."

Don't miss the opportunity to experience top dressage sport in Aachen!

View the FEI schedule here

Follow the Aachen Dressage Days on Facebook.