Dressage-News

ROTTERDAM, April 7, 2021–CHIO Rotterdam, one of Europe’s premier dressage and jumping events, announced Wednesday it is looking to delay the competition for a week to the beginning of July in an effort to provide nations an opportunity to select teams for the Olympics beginning later the same month in Tokyo.

The CHIO with Nations Cups in both dressage and jumping was originally scheduled for June 24-27 but organizers now want it to be held July 1-4. The event was canceled in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic that is still ongoing more than a year later.

“This date, one week later, will accommodate us better to organize a COVID-19 proof event,” said Ron Voskuilen, general director of CHIO Rotterdam. “We receive feedback from riders and federations that there is a need for observation times with regards to the Olympics in Tokyo later this year. With this new date the CHIO Rotterdam will be in time to allow countries to select and announce their teams before the official deadline of July 5th.”

Theo de Rooij, president of CHIO Rotterdam, said: “This is a very complex puzzle where COVID-19 continuously forces us to change our plans and is requiring a lot of flexibility by everyone involved, such as our suppliers, sponsors, riders and the organization. I sincerely hope this new date will enhance the chances for having the 72nd CHIO Rotterdam this year and that we will not face another emergency preventing us to have international equestrian sports in Rotterdam.”

CHIO Rotterdam is the only Dutch equestrian 5* outdoor event. The CHIO in Aachen, Germany is usually staged shortly after Rotterdam as final selection for several teams ahead of Olympics and championships but it has been moved back to September this year.