The twist: Equestrian European Championships can be over after all

2020-09-10T14:47:06.882Z

Already in May, the decision was made to cancel the European Equestrian Championships 2021 due to the fact that it was too close to the postponed Olympic Games in time. But now the European Union wants to see a turnaround in the issue. - I am absolutely of the opinion that we need to look at all possibilities to get to the championship, says the Swedish national team captain in jumping, Henrik Ankarcrona to SVT Sport.

The idea was that the Hungarian capital Budapest would host the European Equestrian Championships from 23 August to 5 September.

But it was then canceled due to the Olympics being moved to the same summer and it will end on August 8.

The European Equestrian Federation (EEF) has now asked the International Federation (FEI) to change.

The FEI has in turn given the EEF a mandate to come up with a proposal on how, when and where the 2021 European Championships could be organized.

The Swedish national team captain for the national jumping team, Henrik Ankarcrona, is a member of the EEF's working group for jumping.

- This is something we have worked for.

We believe that a European Championship is important.

There are many countries that do not have a place at the Olympics and there are many countries that have an Olympic place where there are several riders who can not ride.

We believe that it is important for the sport to have a goal to work towards this year.

We think that all possibilities for a championship in Europe next year should be explored, he says.

Ankarcrona sees that a European Championship can give more riders the chance to participate in championships.

- Many of the major equestrian nations that go to the Olympics have reserves that might not have had the chance in normal cases and that can develop the sport, he says.

However, it is not easy to find a good time for the European Championships.

- I think you can get it in the calendar somewhere three or four weeks after the Olympics.

There are only x number of weeks and everything has to fit, so it is an incredible puzzle to put together, says Ankarcrona.

MORE RIDING SPORTS: Patrik Kittel took his seventh Swedish Championship gold (6 Sep 2020)

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The twist: Equestrian European Championships can be over after all

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