Portugal to host Winter Eventing Series
Portugal have announced that they are going to host a winter eventing series for top international riders across the world. The Portuguese Eventing Association (ACCE) and the Portuguese Equestrian Federation (FEP) have confirmed the series will run for three weeks.
Week one: CCI*-S, CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S, plus a national programme
Week two: CCI*-S, CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S, plus the national championships
Week three: CCI*-S, CCI2*-S, CCI2*-L, CCI3*-S, CCI3*-L, CCI4*-S, CCI4*-L
The Portugal Eventing Series tour will allow for individual riders to earn maximum eligibility requirements for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
When discussing the tour a spokesman stated that this was part of the ACCE’s plan to revitalise the sport. The plans have been brought forward this year due to the world pandemic of Covid-19 which has resulted in the cancellation of many of the top international events. It is the biggest three-day eventing tour that Portugal has hosted and will provide investment opportunities for the national eventing courses involved and raise awareness of the sport in Portugal. As well as providing Portugal’s national eventing team much needed opportunities to achieve the qualifications necessary to compete at the next years Olympics.
It has been confirmed that a number of top riders from across the world, including New Zealand, Australia, France, Ireland and the UK have come out in favor of the concept and many of them have already committed to supporting the tour with multiple entries as part of their plans to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as well as future international events.