British & Dutch Top Dressage Riders will meet in online GP Dressage Challenge

Mid July British and Dutch top dressage riders will perform their Grand Prix tests in the online GP Dressage Challenge organized by CDIO Hickstead and CHIO Rotterdam. From each country up to 20 top Grand Prix dressage combinations will ride the official Olympic Grand Prix test for the camera in the dressage arenas of the venues in Hickstead and Rotterdam. International judges Stephen Clarke and Mariette Sanders - van Gansenwinkel give their live comments and online spectators will be able to score the tests. Dates and channels for the broadcast with live commentary of the online GP Dressage Challenge will be announced shortly.
Grand Prix riders in both countries including Charlotte Dujardin (GBR), Emile Faurie (GBR) and Dutch chef d'equipe Alex van Silfhout responded positively on this initiative. The complete line up will follow.

"The whole equestrian world was so much looking forward to this Olympic year. COVID-19 has not only resulted in cancellation of the Olympics and our events in Rotterdam and Hickstead, it was also a great disappointment for the fans that will not see their favorite dressage riders and horses in action probably most of this year", says Patrick van der Meer, sports director Dressage at CHIO Rotterdam. "Together with CDIO Hickstead we now show them how dressage has progressed during lock down."

"We're excited about this online challenge between these two top dressage nations", says Dane Rawlins, show director CDIO Hickstead. "For the riders this is a unique measuring moment on their way to Tokyo 2021 and an opportunity to feel the competition pressure which they lack completely this year. And of course for all dressage lovers to get a glimpse from their favorite GP dressage combination."

The tests will be filmed prior under FEI rules but with no public. More details on competitors, broadcasting, sponsors, starting orders, etc. will follow and will be published on chio.nl and dressageathickstead.com and on social media (#rotterdamhicksteadgpc).