Equestrian Euros Come to Norway

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) European & Open Para Equestrian Championships have successfully finished, after an impressive showing of athletes from all around the world in the southern Norwegian town of Kristiansand.

A total of 78 athletes from 22 different countries competed in the big Equestrian event, along with more than 500 officials, volunteers and guests. The Championships were the highest level of Equestrian which Norway has hosted and the largest summer Para Equestrian event.

Germany came close to taking the gold medal from all-time champion Great Britain in a string of thrilling performances. Sophie Wells and Pinocchio from Great Britain won the 'If Youth Challenge Trophy' (USD 1,680), and Germany’s Hannelore Brenner and Women of the World won best Senior Rider, beating Lee Pearson from Great Britain.

President of the Organizing Committee Ann Kern-Godal said that it was an exceptional event from 19-23 August with exceptional people full of amusing and touching human and sporting stories. She added that the event had sporting excellence and competition combined with competitive harmony, good humour, innovation and inspiration.

Equestrian is a multi-disability sport, open to athletes with a physical disability or a visual impairment. Events are mixed and grouped according to their functional profiles. Although used for many years for rehabilitation and recreation, Equestrian as a sport was included in the programme of the Paralympic Games for the first time in Atlanta in 1996.