Dressage-News

Oct. 8, 2020

The World Cup events in Lyon, France of dressage, driving and jumping will go ahead with limited spectators over nine days late this month, but the organizers Thursday also announced cancellation of the popular Western Horse Show and the Lyon Exhibition to meet concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Lyon is the second of the Western European League World Cup events that has already seen four of the 10 dressage qualifiers canceled leading to the final in Gothenburg, Sweden next April. The Western European series begins next week in Denmark with dressage and jumping separated and substantial cutbacks in activities. Madrid; Stuttgart, Germany; London and Amsterdam have been canceled.

Sylvie Robert, president of the organizing group for Lyon that is widely popular both within and outside France, admitted that announcing the changed schedule was late but explained the goal was to hold the event safely despite tightened government regulations to meet a resurgence in coronavirus cases in France.

“This decision to maintain the competitions in the big ring fulfills the commitments that we made for months to support riders and owners, who are particularly affected by the pandemic,” Sylvie said. “Sport must continue, athletes, riders and horses must continue to work, compete and train, to prepare for future major events, primarily the FEI World Cup Finals, the FEI European Championships and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.”

The new World Cup schedule:

Oct. 29, Thursday–Dressage World Cup Grand Prix

Oct. 30, Friday–Dressage World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle

Oct. 31, Saturday–Driving World Cup

Nov. 1, Sunday–Jumping World Cup
Driving World Cup