Often described as an equestrian triathlon, Eventing is a unique challenge, demanding skill, courage and versatility!

2020 FEI Eventing facts and figures

Monthly Breakdown of Events & Cancellations

Major Events 2020

Postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Games to 2021

On 24 March, the announcement was made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Games would be postponed to 2021 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This decision, which was taken for the safety of everyone, nonetheless came with a lot of complications for our sport. Not only were athletes disappointed, but pushing everything back one year meant reviewing all the qualification procedures that go hand in hand with the participation in the Games. To do so, the FEI created discipline specific task forces. You can read all about the various task forces put in place and the decisions taken in our dedicated Covid-19 section.

FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ series

Of all the Nations Cup™ series, Eventing was the discipline which saw the most events take place throughout the year. With 11 participating nations, the first leg only took place in August at Le Pin au Haras (FRA) under strict Covid-19 measures. The previous legs of Ballindenisk (IRL), Houghton Hall (GBR) and Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA) had to be cancelled.

Le Pin au Haras was a homerun for the French, with the Dutch in second place just ahead of Great Britain. In Strzegom (POL) the Dutch secured second place on more time, behind Germany, Poland coming in third. However, in the end it did not take more than these two ranks for the Dutch to win the overall series with a score of 180 points. Team Italy posted a runaway win at the third and last leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2020 series on home ground at Montelibretti but this still had them lack ten points to win the title. A Polish victory at the last event could have shuffled the leader board around, but it was not to be, as they lined up third.

Youth Championships

Eventing youth also experienced a tough 2020, as they had to go through the year with a limited number of events and no major championship. Having the possibility to showcase talent at this age is very important, just as it is to get a first feel for championship ambiance and pressure, both at individual and team level.

Unfortunately for young Eventing athletes, the pandemic led to cancellation of the European Championships for Ponies in Strzegom, for Juniors and Young riders in Hartpury and the Eurasian Championships for Juniors and Young Riders in Moscow.

FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses, Le Lion d’Angers (FRA)

With all the above cancellations, it was a true highlight to see the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses take place at the Haras National at l’Isle de Briand in Le Lion d’Angers (FRA). Athletes from 19 countries, and horses representing 22 international Studbooks, competed for the prestigious titles and gained invaluable experience as well as a chance to prove themselves in an international championship environment.

Mares claimed the top five places in the 6-year-old division made up of 38 starters, in what turned out to be a championship where the leader board was shaken up more than once. Irish Sport Horse gelding MHS Brown Jack who was out in front going into the final day with Great Britain’s Tom McEwen on board, but two mistakes in the final Jumping phase dropped them to sixth place.

Ultimately, it was Cascamara ridden by the all too experienced German Eventing star Ingrid Klimke who won the 6-year-old title ahead of Oliver Townend (GBR) on Cooley Rosalent and Mere Blom (NED) on Corminta vom Gwick. Klimke and Cascamrasa lay second on their Dressage mark and when they added nothing to that score line, they had victory in the bag.

The title in the 7-year-old division also went to Germany, as Sophie Leube topped the category with Sweetwaters Ziethen T. There were 42 starters and 27 completions in this class in which there was an optimum time of 9 minutes 19 seconds on the 22-fence cross-country track. Leube and her handsome stallion did it to perfection when crossing the finish line in 9 minutes 14 seconds, and by keeping a clean sheet the rest of the way, they were simply untouchable.

Donatien Schauly (FRA) slotted the Selle Francais gelding Dgin du Pestel Mili into second and his well-known compatriot Nicolas Touzaint, together with Selle Francais gelding Diabolo Menthe, finished on rank three.

6-year-old Podium

7-year-old Podium