20 Nations To Compete at Deauville CPEDI***
With just a few days to go, everything is nearly ready at the Pôle International du Cheval at Deauville to welcome this year’s CPEDI***, which has reached a new high. With 83 entries, 20 nations, 3 days of competition, 1 Nations Cup and the best-para dressage riders in the world, it promises to be an outstanding competition that is going to be held on the dawn of the World Equestrian Games FEI AlltechTM in Normandy.
Whether from Brazil, Singapore, Hong-Kong or even Russia, Deauville has been chosen by riders as an opportunity to compete against the international elite in this discipline. Amongst the top riders, the CPEDI 2014 welcomes, for the first time to France, the American and Canadian teams.
The athletes have also chosen Deauville knowing that 90 % of the World Equestrian Games jury are judging at the CPEDI*** of Deauville, a major asset in evaluating their level of performance at the beginning of the season.
Eagerly awaited at Deauville, Great-Britain will yet again try to take possession of the Nations Cup. Imposing its supremacy on the international scene, Team GBR, who recently won the 2012 Paralympics and the 2013 European Championships (by Team), will certainly do its best to win this coveted title for the third time in a row. Sophie Wells (Grade IV), a key member of the team, will also compete for “the Best rider « trophy, a prize she already took away in 2013.
Hot on their heels, another nation to beat will be Denmark. Winner of the French competition in 2011 2nd in 2012 and 2013, the smallest of the Scandinavian countries is used to taking first place and will count, once again, on the performances of some of its best riders, such as Susanne Sunesen (Grade III) or Stinna Tange Kaastrup (Grade Ib).
As for the home nation, this CPEDI is an opportunity to observe large number of French riders. «We want to see a maximum number of couples during the competition; some are familiar faces at Deauville, but others like Marion Jarnot, Cloé Mislin, or Léa Sanchez, are just starting at international level.” says Jean-Claude Leterrier, the Team France Chef d’equipe.
After a very good 2013 season with his mare Warina*ENE-HN, with whom he won two bronze medals during the Para-Dressage European Championships at Herning, José Letartre will be fighting for first place in the Grade III. Anne Frédérique Royon and J’adore will also be a couple to watch out for in Grade Ib. Constantly improving, this rider, who entered her first international competition last April, could certainly spring a surprise.
This CPEDI promises to be an amazing show and we can expect an exciting Nations Cup !
Alongside the competition, the non-profit organisation Handi Equi Compet, organiser of the Deauville CPEDI***, has as an aim to attract an ever larger public to raise awareness of para-equestrian sports and of persons with disabilities.
That’s why, as was the case in 2013, the CPEDI*** of Deauville has decided to add some extra activities and attractions to the competition aiming to bring more families and children to the Pôle International du Cheval. These include pony rides, a village grouping together a large range of exhibitors such as French made-to-measure saddles, equestrian wear and products, ladies fashion accessories, a chocolate shop and also a champagne bar…
Last but not least, an equestrian show presented by Guillaume Roche and his riders (GRC Productions), will bring to a close the CPEDI. On Sunday at 2pm the visitors will discover this fantastic group, who will present equestrian stunts and vaulting in an electric atmosphere! The GRC Productions troupe has worked for blockbuster movies such as Braveheart, El Gitano or Alesia. This 20 minute performance will definitely take your breath away !
Category: Dressage, International, News, Show Jumping
