The 2007 FEI European Eventing Championship began today in the equestrian centre of the FISE, the Italian Equestrian Federation, at Pratoni del Vivaro, 50 km away from Rome.

The first 31 riders – out of the 65 taking place in the Championship - performed their Dressage test today. With a remarkable score of 31.5 points, Germany’s path finder Ingrid Klimke riding the 10-year old gelding FRH Butts Abraxxs has established a commanding lead. She is a whole ten points ahead of runner up Joris Van Springel (BEL) on Bold Action (41.5). Twenty-three year old Tiziana Realini of Switzerland, for whom this is the first senior European championship, is third on Gamour CH only 0.4 points behind Van Springel (41.9).

Ingrid Klimke, who originally had been a reserve rider, was confirmed as member of the German team only very recently. This is the first four-star test for FRH Butts Abraxxs, with whom she won CCI 3* Strzegom (POL) in June and placed third in CIC 3* Thirlestane (GBR) in August. This very accurate and honest horse is in total harmony with his rider. He comes just in time in Ingrid’s career after her long-time champion Sleep Late, with whom she had won European bronze in 2005 and placed second at Badminton last year, was retired during a moving ceremony in her hometown of Münster only a day after Ingrid’s team selection had been confirmed.

Second placed Joris Van Springel of Belgium has been ill for the past few days but now is fully recovered. He was thrilled with today’s performance. “I’m very pleased with my Dressage test and result. Bold Action and I were here in April for the test event and that has really helped. He is really settled, a great result for us today.”

Just as was the case in Jumping and Dressage earlier this season, the 2007 FEI European Eventing Championship is a qualifying event for the 2008 Olympic Games. Qualification is open to the two best placed teams, excluding Germany, Great Britain and Sweden, who secured their spot last year at the FEI World Equestrian Games. Much is at stake and countries like France consider Olympic qualification a top priority.

“We are here to get a medal but more importantly, our focus is really on securing a spot at the Olympic Games. It’s going to be a team effort and that is what we are working towards,” says French team member Arnaud Boiteau. The French team have been training in Northern France – using the landscape and the sand to ensure optimal fitness training for the horses.

After two riders, the team results are as follows:
1. Germany: 79.0
2. Great Britain: 86.5
3. Italy: 94.0
4. France: 94.8
5. Belgium: 95.7

The following 14 nations have fielded teams: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Switzerland and Sweden. The Swedish team is down to three riders following the unfortunate withdrawal of Sara Algotsson. She broke a bone in her foot when tripping awkwardly two days ago and has had it put in plaster.

The full results are available from the official website
http://www.eueventingchampionship.com