Opening Evening of the FEI European Dressage and Para Dressage in Riesenbeck
A successful start to the European Championships is when Dressage and Para Dressage riders rock the dance floor together, when there is dancing, eating and drinking - and when bronze and silver medal winners from the afternoon hug and celebrate their successes together.
This is how the opening evening of the FEI European Dressage and Para Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck can be summarized. Andrea Milz, State Secretary for Sport and Volunteerism NRW, summed it up in a nutshell: "Anyone who hasn't seen this here yet has really missed out. This beautiful facility, which is praised by the riders, the trainers and all visitors because of the excellent conditions, has a model function for future events. Here, Dressage and Para Dressage are treated equally by the organisers. It can only go in this direction. Because in the long run, athletes with disabilities cannot be excluded from the top events."
Similar comments were made by representatives of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), including Tim Hadaway, Director Games and Championships, who praised the excellent conditions for riders and horses alike. Ludger Beerbaum, the host, was delighted about this. However, the four-time Olympic champion Jumping athlete does not take it for granted: "I hope to be able to say at the end of the week: We can also do Dressage." In any case, he is full of anticipation: "This is an incredibly high-calibre starting field. Last year, a pair was missing at the World Championships, this year one was missing in Aachen. This will be the first time they meet".
He was alluding to the "duel" between the Olympic Champions Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB from Germany and the British World Champions Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale. Ludger Beerbaum, at any rate, is looking forward to exciting days in the arena, especially, telling the crowd, "Finally I have time to look at everything!"
Before they become sporting opponents, Dr. Philipp Freiherr Heereman von Zuydtwyck received the Chefs d’Equipe of all nations in Surenburg. In the castle, they, like State Secretary Milz among others, signed the Golden Book of the town of Hörstel in the presence of Mayor David Ostholthoff.
