Finally, good news for Europe’s young international dressage competitors. The Oliva Nova facilities, habitual organiser of the MET (Mediterranean Equestrian Tour), will be hosting the European Dressage Championships for Young Riders, Juniors and Children in 2016. From 19th to 24th of July, the future of European Dressage will gather at this amazing location in the region of Valencia, in Spain, where excellent conditions are guaranteed for the international young dressage teams.
Circumstances at the centennial Club de Campo Villa de Madrid (CCVM) in Spain’s capital city during the recent Dressage Festival and National Championships in May 2015 forced the organisers and institutions to decide initially to change the location for the National Spanish Dressage Championships for Young Riders, Juniors and Children and later to do the same for the European Championships.
The board of the Club de Campo stated the following when declining the celebration of the event at the facilities of the Club:
“We are unable to host the European Championships at our facilities due to well-known environmental and technical circumstances.
“During July, temperatures exceed the average of 40° C. The Club is only authorised for a certain amount of water. Drastic restrictions have been applied so that we do not exceed this amount.
“Due to these saving measures, some parts of the sports facilities had to be closed; this meant the cancellation of sports events and the substitution of natural green with artificial grass. In addition, footing will be renovated at the club during 2016. Given this situation, the CCVM will not be able to accept this year’s competition challenge, in spite of our interest in promoting equestrian sports.”
However, enough about the past, when there is so much to say about the upcoming European Championships. The Spanish National Federation and the Organizing Committee quickly found a new location and now confirmed by FEI approval, Championships will be held at Oliva Nova. The best about it is there are advantages aplenty – for example, let’s take a look at the venue.
Federico Padrón from Topiberian Organizing Committee, and the director of the event, has put it into words, stating, “Oliva Nova, in Valencia is one of the top competition venues in Europe. Optimum quality and circumstances concerning the stabling, footing of the arenas, space and the hosting of human and equine athletes are guaranteed at the highest standard. The beach is at walking distance, just a few minutes away. We can hardly imagine a better place to host these European Championships for Young Riders, Juniors and Children.”
“And I would also like to thank the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid for their intentions and their efforts to host this important event in 2016 in Madrid, even though ultimately it was not possible.”
Whoever has never been to Oliva Nova in Valencia should take a look; it is a very promising spot with first class competition facilities and is well-known the world over in the field of jumping. Below, we offer you a quick summary.
Three simultaneous competition arenas will guarantee the best possible conditions for the youngsters to compete in. Running from Wednesday until Saturday, the competition schedule will be from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 1:30 p.m.
On Sunday, two competition arenas will be open, while Young Riders and Juniors present their Freestyle to Music both in the main arena. Sunday’s schedule will be divided between early morning and late afternoon sessions. Everything has been planned to avoid potentially high midday temperatures during July. Please find the provisional schedule here, which is pending FEI approval, of course.
According to weather statistics, temperatures for Valencia are expected to reach an average of 25.6° C; the differences between expected maximum and minimum temperatures are 8.2° C, in contrast to the potential temperature differences in Madrid on the same dates of around 13.1° C.
The facilities are incomparable. Oliva Nova can offer 300 fixed stable places. All paths and stable areas provide equine friendly surfaces with a good grip and avoiding dust and dirt in all surroundings. The Damman footing at Oliva Nova ensures hundreds of metres of top ground for competition horses.
However, it is not only the equine guests who will enjoy their accommodation, as riders, their teams and families as well as officials are also promised the best “stabling” conditions. Indeed, this is one of the highlights of the event: the Mediterranean is only a short way away, at walking distance, as just 600 metres from the showground the long sandy beaches of Oliva Nova are waiting. Don’t forget to bring your swimming costume!
The Oliva Nova Beach Resort offers all kind of accommodation, ranging from hotels to apartments and houses with their private swimming pool.
See you next year in Oliva-Valencia! All information will be as soon as possible updated on the http://event.topiberian.com. We will keep you informed! So far you can have a look at possible accommodations at the www.olivanova.com.
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