During the upcoming “Rolex FEI World Cup TM jumping finals” to be held in Las Vegas from the 18th to 22nd April, the “FEI World Cup TM Working group” will meet to finalise the calendar for the 2007/2008 World Cup season. One of the pending topics is whether or not to add an additional Qualifier for the European League. France (two candidates including Lyon) and Portugal are in the running as possible Qualifiers.
“Our World Cup project for the CSI-Lyon has been maturing for three years. We officially announced our World Cup aspirations during our first CSI**** in 2005 and we strongly confirmed our bid during our last CSI in November of 2006 when we proudly achieved our “5 Stars” status. Lyon has quickly integrated riders’ feedback to improve its product and services and now offers top sport with one of the best 5-Star show jumping events in Europe” says Sylvie Robert, President of Equita-Concours, organizer of the Lyon event.
The CSI***** Lyon profits by the logistical and financial support of the world-renowned event firm, GL events. Organizer and producer of professional events, conferences and seminars since 1987, GL events (3000 employees, 434 millions euros of turnover in 2005), will, for instance, supply the Equestrian Games in Hong Kong during the Olympics 2008 (host city Peking) as it did in 2004 at Athens.
The greatly admired, Michel Robert (no family relation to Sylvie) has very much helped Sylvie Robert to develop the Lyon CSI into a top international class event. Sylvie Robert and her team have capitalized upon Michel Robert’s advices creating many big pluses such as a well planned organizational infrastructure (principal show ring, two warm-up arenas, and convenient distance to spacious stabling), the highest prize money in France, 340,000 Euros, comfortable installations for receiving 5.000 spectators, quality VIP reception etc.
The Lyon CSI has been able to consistently attract the world finest riders: Marcus Ehning, Markus Fuchs, the 2005 and 2006 winners of the Grand Prix of Lyon, as well as Meredith Michaels Beerbaum, 2nd in 2006, who spontaneously declared during the press conference “Lyon deserves to be a World cup qualifier!”
Since February 2007, Meredith Michaels Beerbaum achieved the #1 World-ranking status in the FEI league, and of course, today, she still supports bid of Lyon to be part of the Rolex FEI World Cup TM jumping. “I would be delighted to see Lyon get a World Cup Qualifier. It is a top-class event, not only from the technical aspect, but everything is thought for the welfare of horse and rider.”
A statement shared by the team Olympic champion Peter Wylde, “I would fully support CSI*****Lyon in its quest to host a World Cup Qualifier. Everything about the show in Lyon is first class and this is exactly the kind of show that should be rewarded World Cup status.”
Many international World Cup riders share Meredith’s and Peter’s thoughts as well as the number one acclaimed Course Designer, Frank Rothenberger. “I cannot officially support Lyon’s proposal as I have not physically seen the actual facilities however I have had a tremendous amount of positive feedback regarding this very well run quality jumping even: and I am very enthusiastic to design the courses of this show next November. From a personal viewpoint, Lyon would be an excellent addition to the World Cup Series in Europe. Lyon’s timing in November coincides perfectly just before Verona and Stuttgart’s World Cup qualifiers and one week after Hanover’s Riders Tour.”
To sum up, Lyon is a real winner from its technical, logistical and financial point of view support as well as its excellent reputation with the riders, sponsors and spectators… suspense until April 21st!
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