Press release from the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour

After a successful 2019-edition, with fully booked tours both for the Spring and Autumn MET, the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour returns this week with the first international competitions for 2020. A total of 850 horses, as well as 208 riders from 35 different countries, are expected to the first part of the Spring MET 2020 (MET I) – running from January 14-February 2. 

The second part of the Tour takes place from February 11-March 1 (MET II), the third part from March 10-29 (MET III) and finally the fourth and last part from April 7-19 (MET IV).

On the program for Spring MET 2020 are CSIYH, CSI1*, CSI2* and CSI3* classes, three world ranking classes per week of competition and a total of 1,582,000 Euro in prize money as well as prizes in kind. 

The Mediterranean Equestrian Tour is yet again proud to welcome some of the world's very best riders to Oliva Nova, and on the entry list are some of the most well-known names in the sport: 

Peder Fredricson (SWE – current world rank no. 5): European Champion in 2017, Vice Champion at the Olympic Games in 2016, team silver medallist at the Olympic Games in 2004, team silver medallist at the World Equestrian Games in 2018, team silver medallist at the European Championships in 2017 as well as winner of numerous major Grand Prix classes around the world.

Scott Brash (GBR – current world rank no. 12): Olympic Team Champion in 2012, European Team Champion in 2013, European bronze medallist individually in 2013, European team bronze medallist in 2019, winner of the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final in 2014, overall winner of the Longines Global Champions Tour in 2013 and 2014, Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping titleholder as well as winner of numerous major Grand Prix classes around the world. 

Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA – current world rank no. 15): Gold medallist individually and with the Brazilian team at the Pan American Games 2019, as well as winner of major Grand Prix classes around the world.

Olivier and Nicola Philippaerts (BEL – current world rank no. 27 and 62 respectively): Olivier – European Champion for young riders individually and with the Belgian team in 2011 and 2010, winner of the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in 2015. Nicola – European Champion for young riders individually and with the Belgian team team in 2011, winner of the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in 2018. Both winners of major Grand Prix classes around the world.

Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE – current world rank no. 63): Team silver medallist at the Olympic Games in 2004, team silver medallist at the World Equestrian Games in 2018 and in 2002, team silver medallist at the European Championships in 2017 and 2001 as well as winner of major Grand Prix classes around the world. 

Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS – current world rank no. 165): Overall winner of the Longines Global Champions Tour in 2011 and 2012 as well as winner of numerous major Grand Prix classes around the world. 

Gregory Wathelet (BEL – current world rank no. 34): European Team Champion in 2019, European Vice Champion in 2015, winner of the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in 2015 and 2017 as well as winner of major Grand Prix classes around the world. 

Other big names on the entry list include Lorenzo De Luca (ITA, current world rank 30), Pedro Veniss (BRA, current world rank 40), Alberto Zorzi (ITA, current world rank 64), Roger Yves Bost (FRA, current world rank 68) Constant Van Paesschen (BEL, current world rank 159) and Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER, current world rank 258). 

"We are proud that these world class riders choose to kick off their outdoor season at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour, especially with 2020 being an Olympic year for most of them,” says Bettina Pöhls, MET Event Director. “We hope they all get off to the best possible start in their Olympic preparations here in Oliva Nova, and look forward to three weeks of top sport during Spring MET I.”

More information on http://metoliva.com/riders/#spring