2026 World Championships in Aachen: New Stable Facility for Competition Horses—204 stalls for even greater animal welfare and optimal care, including support for grooms and groomswomen

Aachen has always housed a large portion of its competition horses in stables rather than in stable tents. But what was “state-of-the-art” decades ago doesn’t seem to have aged very well from today’s perspective. That’s why a new building was constructed.

Construction of a New Stablefor Competition Horses: Aachen—The Latest Update

The requirements for horse stalls for competition horses have changed. Horses have grown larger, so stalls are now needed in sizes that match these new specifications. For this reason, the previous stable buildings 5 through 9 were demolished. In their place, a new stable complex has been built over the past few months in the area behind the dressage warm-up rings, which is off-limits to the public. The complex features 204 spacious stalls equipped with a modern ventilation system to ensure an optimal stable environment. The planning focused on animal welfare, functionality, and accessibility.

The Aachen Scientist Circle has been in existence for several years now and, among other things, conducts scientific research on the well-being of competition horses.

Perfectly in keeping with the “Aachen Look”

Visually, the functional new building draws inspiration from the historic stables that were built on this site in the 1930s and 1940s. The project was funded by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland Affairs following a resolution by the Bundestag.

ALRV Board Member Birgit Rosenberg describes the new facility as a necessary step to meet the high demands of the World Championships regarding horse housing and to further enhance the organization’s own standards. Record-holding dressage rider Isabell Werth also emphasizes the importance of an optimal stable environment: “It’s incredibly important for the horses to have a sheltered retreat where they can recover and truly relax. Temperature, altitude, stall size, air circulation—all of these factors are at the very highest level here and promote the horses’ well-being.”

Accessible

Another key focus of the new building is accessibility: A modern wayfinding system, accessible restrooms, and storage areas for assistive devices (wheelchairs, etc.) ensure that all riders can enjoy a safe and comfortable experience in the stable area. This benefits para-dressage athletes in particular, as para-dressage is one of the six World Championship disciplines, alongside show jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, and vaulting.

Special Areas for Nurses

Special attention was also given to the grooms during the design phase. They are the ones who, aside from the horses, spend the most time in the stable. Their roles are diverse: personal trainer, animal psychologist, logistics specialist, stylist, and confidant. The new stable building features a dedicated area for the “grooms,” with short distances between workstations as well as dining and relaxation areas.

As an additional gesture of appreciation, the official feed sponsor will hand out 800 goodie bags to the grooms upon their arrival at Allianz Park—as the venue in Soers is now called.