FEI European Jumping Championship

(extract San Patrignano newsletter)

French Chef d’Equipe Jean-Maurice Bonneau paid a visit to San Patrignano (ITA) to visit the community’s equestrian centre which will play host to the 2005 FEI European Championship.

Bonneau complimented the Organising Committee for the facilities offered. “I think everything is of the right standard for such an event, the parking, the stables, which are very big and comfortable for the horses. The ground shall be quite good for the 80 horses that will compete each day of the championship. It is good to have two training areas, indoor and outdoor”.

When asked for his predictions on the Europeans, Bonneau replied “Obviously the German are the favourite, they have so many good riders. They could without problem present two teams for the Europeans” he laughed. “After Germany, there could be a good fight between France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland, but you but you never know. You must be in the top three after the first day. If you are not, it’s difficult to come back and try to grab a medal the day after. Anyway we have still five months to go, so anything is possible”.

Bonneau underlined the cultural and social significance of the championship. “It is a good opportunity for the elite of the sport to experience real life and see what is going on outside. We are lucky, all of us to belong to be able to live with our passion. Sometimes it is good to see that there is something else out there”.

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To subscribe to the newsletter of the FEI European Championship in San Patrignano, contact Roberta Lazzaretto - San Patrignano Press office [rlazzaretto@sanpatrignano.org].