Spain to Go First in FEI European Jumping Championships

Host nation Spain will be hoping to stay out in front after being drawn number one of 16 nations at today’s draw for the starting order in the FEI European Jumping Championships. The Spanish have never won the European Jumping title and are keen to reverse that trend on their home turf at Club de Campo de Villa Madrid this week.

Defending title holders Switzerland are fourth to go; France – the country of reigning individual champion Kevin Staut – are in 13th; and Germany, leaders in the FEI European Championship gold medal tally with six team titles, will start 14th.

The order of go for the FEI European Jumping Championships: 1, Spain; 2, Great Britain; 3, Poland; 4, Switzerland; 5, Ireland; 6, Netherlands; 7, Sweden; 8, Norway; 9, Italy; 10, Belgium; 11, Denmark; 12, Portugal; 13, France; 14, Germany; 15, Hungary; 16, Austria.

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“Now I know what a warm welcome really means,” said Stephan Ellenbruch (GER), President of the Ground Jury as temperatures soared and the Spanish summer returned to Club de Campo de Villa Madrid. Speaking at today’s draw, Stephan Ellenbruch said: “Maybe I should give the timetable for the swimming pool before we go into the draw!”

Show director Alfonso Segovia, who competed at both the Munich and Montreal Olympic Games, conducted the draw with FEI Jumping Committee Acting Chair, John Madden.

As well as team and individual honours, Olympic qualification is also at stake, with three places on offer on the startlist for London 2012. Germany, France and Belgium all qualified at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky, and Great Britain is automatically qualified as the host nation, leaving 12 nations battling it out for those all-important three slots.

Competition in Madrid kicks off tomorrow at 14.00 CEST with the one-round speed class. The results from tomorrow’s class will determine the starting order for Thursday’s competition, the first round of the team final. Team medals will be decided in Friday’s second round of the team final.

Timetable
All times are in CEST (Central European Summer Time, GMT+2).

Wednesday, September 14, 2011
12.45 – Parade of nations
14.00 – First Championship Competition, teams and individuals (Table C)

Thursday, September 15, 2011
14.00 – Second Championship Competition
(first round of the team final and the second individual qualifier)

Friday, September 16, 2011
16.30 – Second Championship Competition (continued)
(second round of the team final and the second individual qualifier)
19.30 – Prize-giving ceremony, team medals

Saturday, September 17, 2011
Second Horse Inspection

Sunday, September 18, 2011
15.30 – Third Championship Competition
(individual final for the Top 25)
19.25 – Prize-giving ceremony, individual medals

The event’s complete timetable, including the non-Championship competitions, is available here.

The FEI European Jumping Championships 2011 will be broadcast live on FEI TV, FEI’s official video platform – full schedule here.

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