Equestrian: Summer 2013 preview

“I want to stay focused at all times, so 2013 is not a transition year but one where I want to prove to judges that my golds were no coincidence. I believe my youngsters will take me to the top a second time.”

Riders from across Europe and the rest of the world are getting ready for two of the biggest events on the para-dressage calendar this summer – the FEI European Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships and the Hartpury Festival of Dressage.

Without a World Championships this year, the European Championships are the largest equestrian event of 2013 and will attract riders from across the continent.

Held this year in the Danish city of Herning from 19-25 August, it will be the first time the para-Championships will be held alongside the European Jumping and Dressage Championships.

Although most countries have yet to pick their teams, many of the big names from London 2012 will be looking to build on their Paralympic Games experience and start the preparations for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which are held every four years within the Olympic and Paralympic cycles.

It will also mark the beginning of their road to Rio 2016.

Belgium’s Michele George said: “My dream of competing in London started at the Europeans in 2009. I trained day and night to make my dream come true three years later in London where I brought home two gold medals.

“This year I start a new dream at the Europeans in Denmark and hope to make that one come true at in Rio 2016. I always need new targets to train to stay focused at the highest level possible.”

And despite her two golds last year, and working with two young horses, George has no intention of treating 2013 any less seriously.

She added: “I want to stay focused at all times, so 2013 is not a transition year but one where I want to prove to judges that my golds were no coincidence. I believe my youngsters will take me to the top a second time.”

Great Britain’s stars Lee Pearson, Sophie Wells, Natasha Baker and Sophie Christiansen are all hoping to compete, as are Germany’s 2008 gold medallist Hannelore Brenner and Austria’s 2012 gold and bronze medallist Pepo Puch. There will also be enthusiastic home support for Denmark’s Stinna Kaastrup.

Further information and tickets for the Championships are available here.

Before that, from 3-7 July, is the Hartpury Festival of Dressage, in Gloucestershire, Great Britain.

The festival, now in its eighth year, is a five-day celebration of dressage for around 50 international athletes, including riders from Australia, Canada, South Africa, Virgin Isles, Ireland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil, Norway, Finland, France and Belgium.

The Hartpury Festival is often used as a trial for the rest of the season’s competitions.

Last year, for example, teams competing at London 2012 tested their riders and horses in an environment specifically staged to feel like the Paralympic Games.

Local school children were brought in to wave flags and cheer while the surface on the international outdoor arena was the same as London’s. Extra flowers and dressings around the arena also gave athletes a dress rehearsal for London 2012.

Other major para-equestrian dressage competitions taking place this summer at the following locations:

13-16 June: Rancho Murieta, California, USA

20-23 June: Somma Lombardo, Italy

11-13 September: Midrand, South Africa

25-29 September: Moscow, Russia

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Caption

Michèle George