Time is running out: The X-BIONIC® SUMMER TOUR is just around the corner

The highly anticipated X-BIONIC® SUMMER TOUR will return to the world-class facilities at x-bionic® sphere in Šamorín, Slovakia from the 16th of July to the 4th August 2019. The event will offer three consecutive weeks of CSI1*, CSI2*, CSI4* and CSI YH1* classes for horses and riders of every age and experience level. With just three months left before the event, spaces are nearly sold-out.

This year’s X-BIONIC®SUMMER TOUR promises to be bigger than ever before, with 18 ranking classes and more than €850.000 in prize money offered throughout the event. Once again this year, the series will culminate with the €26.000 FEI Nations Cup™ Youth competition for Young Riders, Juniors, Children and Ponies, an exciting showcase for Europe’s emerging talents (1 - 4 August, 2019). For the first time, the event will also host a top-level driving competition, including an Action Marathon session (Combined Marathon), the first of its kind held in an outdoor stadium.

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The show’s professional organizing committee will be helmed once again by experienced Event Director Denis Monticolo.With its renowned equestrian facilities, including 680 FEI-compliant permanent boxes and 8 oversized arenas (3 grass arenas, 2 indoor arenas, 3 sand arenas), the X-BIONIC®SUMMER TOUR is considered by top riders to be the ideal training ground for both their experienced mounts and up and coming horses. “It is very good for the five-star riders here to have shows like Samorin, where we can bring younger horses and not have crazy big classes,” says Swiss rider Martin Fuchs. “The facility is very big, the footing is very good, and the indoor rings are nice, so we can’t ask for anything more.”

Adds Swedish rider Henrik von Eckermann, “I would say, outdoors was fantastic, indoors is the same. We have so much space to ride the horses. The stables—we have big boxes—there’s nothing to complain about.”

“This is a great place to produce young horses and I’ve brought a bunch of my own to gain experience in different arenas,” said the U.S.A’s Kent Farrington, who also attended the Summer Tour last year. “We had a night jumping class that was good practice, and it was the first time my horse jumped under the lights. There’s also the beautiful grass arena, so my other horse got to practice in the biggest class he’s every jumped in the CSI4*.

“They have great footing at x-bionic® sphere, number one, which is very important for our sport. There are also beautiful fences and an excellent course designer. I think these three things, from the horses’ perspective, are very important,” Farrington continued. “There are not many places like this in the world.”

According to U.S. show jumper Jessica Springsteen, the addition of X-BIONIC® events, including X-BIONIC® SUMMER TOUR, to the European horse show calendar works to the benefit of all. “There are so many shows in the world right now, and that’s great, because each show wants to raise their standards and put on a good competition,” Springsteen reflects. “My horses have been jumping great here—it’s an amazing facility and the horses really enjoy it.”

The creation of Mario Hoffmann, a successful businessman and endurance enthusiast, x-bionic® sphere opened in 2014 as a center for sports, leisure, and innovation, and has expanded to become the Olympic training center for all of Slovakia. The center’s X-BIONIC® HOTEL connects directly to the sports arena, housing 282 rooms, 12 exclusive roof suites, and stunning views of the Danube River just steps from the equestrian facilities.

The 2019 X-BIONIC® SUMMER TOUR will take place over three consecutive weekends in July and August: 16-21 July, 23-28 July, and 30 July - 4 August.