Wow, this year has been a whirlwind for me! You won’t believe how many videos and how much content I’ve created for social media. I even published two books and kicked off my very own podcast. And guess what? I’ve been trotting all around the world to some amazing horse shows.
So, in this chat, I want to spill the tea on what it’s like to be part of the action at one of the biggest horse shows ever: the CHIO Aachen World Equestrian Festival in Aachen, Germany. The event runs from late June through early July.
Let’s gallop into a day in the life at this fancy international show.
Morning
6:00 AM: Rise and shine! It’s an early start for me because today is all about the Nations’ Cup jumping event. Teams from all corners of the globe, including the USA, are going hoof to hoof in the arena. It’s like the headliner event of the whole festival. I gobble up a quick breakfast and then primp my hair and makeup. Since I’ll be glued to social media all day, I’ve gotta look my best.
7:30 AM: We’re off. It’s a short drive from my hotel to the event. During this ride, I take some time to clear my head and get psyched for the day ahead. Brace yourself, it’s about to be a wild ride!
8:00 AM: Rollin’ in. I flash my photo ID and breeze through security, then make a beeline for the media center. This is where the big TV networks and the press work their magic to beam horse action all over the world. My own special spot is all set up for me. I unpack my gear: cameras, laptops, the works. I’ve got a mission to reach like a gazillion people each day of the show, so there’s a heap to do. Oh, and on this adventure, I’ve got David, my video whiz, tagging along, and my buddy Lydia’s in the mix too. This show’s a real biggie, with tons happening at once, so teamwork is the name of the game.
8:30 AM: Team talk. We huddle up to map out the day’s coverage, making a game plan to capture all the best moments.
9:00 to 11:30 AM: Lydia and I trot over to the dressage arena while David dashes off to grab snapshots of the driving competition. Some stuff we snap on our phones and post right away; other things need a little polish on the laptop, so they wait until we’re back at the media center.
11:30 AM: Reunited and snack time! The sun’s blazing, so I chug down some water and nibble on a snack. We’ve got two laptops, and David and I are busy uploading pics and videos. I’m also whipping up a dressage highlight reel and sharing shots and clips on socials. All the while, I’m reading your messages and figuring out what you’re itching to see.
Afternoon
1:00 PM: Chow time! Staying fueled is key. This day is a marathon, not a sprint. At Aachen, there’s a fancy media and athlete eatery, and you might just find yourself sharing a table with a champ who’s snagged an Olympic medal or two.
2:00 to 5:00 PM: We split up again for the afternoon showdown. The eventers are strutting their stuff, so I send David to catch the trot-up action. Meanwhile, Lydia and I are in the thick of the 5-star jumping extravaganza in the huge main arena. This time, the whole vibe is British: Think London buses, red phone booths, and a super adorable “afternoon tea” tent. So cute!
Evening
5:00 PM: Back at home base—the media center. We’re tweaking video content, loading it up on socials, and taking a moment to put our feet up. The big-ticket event is about to burst onto the scene: Tonight’s star-studded event is the Nations’ Cup jumping competition, with over 50,000 people in the arena, and millions watching on TV. The energy’s electric!
The nations strut their stuff, and I nab a chat and a selfie with the British team. The competition kicks off, with each nation fielding a fab four riders and horses. For the USA, three of my faves—Laura Kraut, Bliss Heers, and McLain Ward—are in the spotlight.
My squad (Great Britain) is hustling—Lydia and I are going wild on our phones, and David’s getting the prime shots with the big camera. After about an hour, I snag one of David’s memory cards and start piecing together a reel in the media center while the action’s still going strong. Lydia and David keep their cameras clicking and rolling.
11:00 PM: Lydia hands over the last memory card. Switzerland scores the win, so I put the finishing touches on the reel with their triumphant ride. I hit “upload,” and we’re officially wrapped for the day.
12:00 AM: I roll back to my hotel, ready to crash. This day’s been quite the whirlwind!
Even though these days are mega-long and full of hustle, I totally adore being part of these shows. It’s an absolute honor to be so close to the world’s most fabulous horses and athletes.
Hugs and horseshoes,
Esme
This edition of Esme’s column about her day at the CHIO Aachen World Equestrian Festival in Aachen, Germany appeared in the November/December 2023 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
