The FEI Open & European Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships started today (21/08), marking a historic achievement for Norway as it will be the first time a European equestrian Championship is held on Norwegian soil, and also the first time a European summer sport Championship is held there.
The event takes place at the Epona Riding Centre, established in 2005 and near Kristiansand on the south coast of Norway providing a magnificent backdrop for the event.
The start lists reveal 82 of the world’s top riders from 23 countries, including most of last year’s Paralympic medallists, with both European and non-European riders vying for a good result. Indeed, the event will also serve a qualifier for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010 in Kentucky (USA), and considering that this is the first time Para-Equestrian Dressage will be included in the format of the World Equestrian Games, qualifying slots will be hotly disputed. The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will host the World Championships in Jumping, Dressage & Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Reining and Vaulting – making it the largest equestrian event in the world – from 25 September to 10 October next year.