The Italian Equestrian Federation (FISE) is planning a warm welcome for an eagerly anticipated four days of brilliant competition at the forthcoming 2007 FEI European Eventing Championship at its Centro Equestre Federale at Pratoni del Vivaro on September 13-16.

The centre, which is just south of Rome, has become popular with competitors and spectators for its excellent equestrian facilities, springy volcanic soil, relaxed atmosphere and attractive rural setting against a spectacular mountain backdrop.

Since the national equestrian centre was created in 1960, for the Olympic Games at Rome, the site has played host to the Open European Eventing Championships of 1995, the FEI World Equestrian Games of 1998, plus five Junior and Young Rider European Eventing Championships, two Alpine Cups, two Pony Europeans, a World Driving (singles) Championship, a World Junior and Young Rider Endurance Championships, a European Endurance Championship and a Junior and Young Rider European Dressage Championships.

FISE President Cesare Croce commented: “We have a well-proven record at Pratoni of producing wonderful Championships, and the Centre is continually updated and improved with excellent conditions for horses and riders. I am confident that visiting nations will find a friendly welcome and another exciting competition.

“Italy is very proud to be successful in hosting the 2007 FEI European Championship and, as host nation, we have 12 spaces, which is proving a tremendous boost to the national sport with several riders desperate to be representing their country on home ground.”

The current international health of the sport was reflected at the last European Eventing Championships, which are held biennially, when 18 nations were represented at Blenheim (GBR) in 2005. And this year’s contest promises to be an equally epic struggle, as France, the reigning Olympic Champions but yet to win a European team title, and Germany, the World Champions who last won the Europeans 24 years ago at Kiev in 1973, battle to end Great Britain’s supremacy in these Championships.

Britain, who have won the last six European Championships – and 19 of the 27 runnings of the Europeans since they began in 1953 – fields the reigning individual World and European Champions Zara Phillips and Toytown. But Zara faces a fierce fight to defend her title from riders like Nicolas Touzaint (FRA), himself European Champion in 2003 and the reigning FEI World Cup Champion, who comes well-prepared having won the test event at Pratoni in April on Galan de Sauvagere; Bettina Hoy, the 1997 European Champion, with Ringwood Cockatoo; Ingrid Klimke (GER), the reigning European bronze medallist on Sleep Late; and German team riders Andreas Dibowski, Hinrich Romeike, Frank Ostholt and Peter Thomsen, who all went so well at Badminton (GBR) recently.

Meanwhile, there is pressure on nations to qualify for the 2008 Olympics with two more places up for grabs at Pratoni, for two of the highest-placed countries not yet qualified. (Currently, Germany, Great Britain, Australia, USA and Sweden are eligible for Hong Kong, with other regional championships taking place this summer.)

Attention will also focus on Guiseppe Della Chiesa (ITA), who makes his senior champion debut as course-designer and who will reveal his new-look track in the near future. The Ground Jury will comprise Christoph Hess (GER) as president, with Sue Stewart (GBR) and Katherina Lucheschi (ITA). Mike Tucker (GBR) is FEI Technical Delegate.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION:
Representatives of the media will find an accreditation form, which must be completed by 10 August, in the media centre of the FEI website (www.horsesport.org) and on the European Championships website at www.eueventingchampionship.com, where there is also an event timetable, accommodation details and directions to Pratoni del Vivaro.