The FEI Board took a series of key decisions on allocation, cancellation and reopening of bids for FEI Championships at its videoconference meeting this week.
The Board agreed to allocate the 2022 FEI Endurance World Championship to Isola della Scala in Verona, Italy.
“We are pleased to have the experience and passion of the Verona Organizing Committee for the FEI Endurance World Championship in 2022,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “We will be working closely with the organizers and the Italian Equestrian Federation to ensure that this is a top-notch sporting event that challenges the strategic skills of our athletes and brings the sport back to its original roots of endurance riding rather than endurance racing.”
Separately, the Board agreed to reopen the bid process for the 2021 FEI Eventing European Championship, following numerous requests from a number of European eventing stakeholders, including national federations and athletes, and with the full support of the European Equestrian Federation and the FEI Eventing Committee. The bid process will open on Dec. 18, and national federations and organizers have until Jan. 15, 2021, to apply to the FEI. The FEI Board will take a decision on the allocation of this championship at its March 2021 teleconference.
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Following the cancellation by the organizer of the 2021 FEI Dressage European Championship U25 in Donaueschingen Germany, the Board agreed to reopen the bidding process for the championship. The deadline for expressions of interest to be submitted to the FEI (bidding@fei.org) is Jan. 15, 2021, and the FEI Board will take a decision on the allocation of this championship at its February 2021 teleconference.
Due to the COVID-19 related cancellation of the 2020 FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in Verden, Germany, and following consultation with all parties involved, the Board agreed to reallocate the 2021 championship to Verden. The 2021 championship had originally been allocated to Ermelo, the Netherlands for the three-year cycle, 2021-2023. The Board has now agreed to allocate the 2024 championship to Ermelo, meaning that the Dutch venue will host the Championships in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Based on the recommendation of the FEI Endurance Committee, and in consultation and with the support of the Netherlands National Federation, the Board agreed to terminate the host agreement with the organizer of the 2021 FEI Endurance European Championship and 2021 FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors.
Both these endurance championships were scheduled to be held at the Netherlands National Federation-owned venue at Ermelo, the Netherlands, and the FEI will now consult with the national federation about a potential alternative organizer to host the Championships at the Ermelo venue on the original dates (Sept. 6-11, 2021).
