The 10th Internationaux de dressage of Compiègne, postponed last year due to the health crisis, will take place from the 27th to the 30th of May 2021. Two months before the Olympic games, the World’s leading dressage riders will come together in the classes that make up the 5*CDIO, third leg of the prestigious FEI Nations Cup, the climax of a show also brought to life by numerous other competitions.
Having become one of the high points on the World equestrian calender, the Compiègne International dressage show will again bring to life the Grand Parc Equestrian Stadium, from the 27th to the 30th of May. Cancelled last year due to the health crisis, the event takes its place again this year. “The decision to postpone the event in 2020 was heartbreaking but unfortunately inevitable”, confided Monique Marini, Chairperson of the Compiègne équestre association, organisers of the event. “Once over the initial disappointment, we immediately turned towards 2021. Thanks to the loyalty of the town of Compiègne and our partners and sponsors, our volunteers and everyone who has worked over the years to the success and development of this show, we’ll be ready. We will of course be closely monitoring changes in the heath situation and hope that regulations laid down by the authorities, notably concerning travelling, will allow everyone to join us. In any case, we will be able to adapt and put into place all necessary measures in order to give the best possible welcome and optimum conditions of safety to riders and their teams, judges, and also spectators”.
Deprived of major events for a number of months, the World’s leading horse and rider combinations, always loyal to Compiègne’s international show, are impatiently waiting to enjoy again the thrill of competing. Every spring, twenty or so nations meet here in the department of L’Oise to contest the numerous classes scheduled. In 2021, Great Britain, victorious last time the event was held, will have it at heart to defend their title in the FEI Nations Cup. Two months before the dressage at the Tokyo Olympic Games (24th to the 28th of July), Compiègne’s 5*CDIO offers all riders a superb opportunity to confirm the results of the work they have been doing for months. It will also allow the French federation staff to collect valuable hints as to which three horses and riders to choose to represent France in Japan..
Equally, this event is eagerly anticipated by the nations taking part in the prestigious FEI Nations Cup. Indeed, the 5*CDIO will be the third leg of the six marked on the calender, coming after Wellington (USA, 16th to the 21st of March) and Alter do Chao (POR, 22nd to the 25th of April) and before Rotterdam (NED, from the 24th to the 27th of June), Aix-la-Chapelle (GER, 29th June to the 4th of July) and Falsterbo (SWE, from the 15th to the 18th of July).
The 5*CDIO may be the show’s flagship, but the three rings of the equestrian stadium will also be hosting the classes that make up the 3* and 2* CDI, whilst up and coming hopefuls in the discipline won’t be forgotten thanks to the organisation of CDI for U25’s, Young Riders and Juniors(14 to 18yo’s). Finally the Pony CDI will showcase competition between the youngest riders.