The European Equestrian Federation is asking the FEI “to remain fully prepared to hold the European Championships in 2021, should the circumstances allow.” In a newsletter from EEF, president Theo Ploegmakers points out that many of the European national federations are of the opinion that in a post-Covid period the sport is best served when concentrated on a continental level with the European Championships as the ultimate goal.

“Even when the Olympic Games in Tokyo go ahead, the European Championship is for the vast majority of EEF Federations the most important event in 2021. While it is not customary to hold two major tournaments in a year, the EEF is calling on the FEI to make an exception for 2021, as the extraordinary circumstances we are going through require extraordinary measures,” reads the newsletter. 

The multi-disciplined European Championships were scheduled to run in Budapest from 23 August to 5 September 2021. However, jumping was one of the disciplines cancelled following the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The FEI found it was no longer feasible to run jumping, dressage and para-dressage due to the proximity of the Europeans to the rescheduled Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A number of chef d’equipes and riders expressed their concerns over the cancellation, and asked for the European Championships in jumping to run at another date and venue in order to facilitate for both events. The EEF followed up with an announcement, stating that it would endorse all efforts to reschedule the Europeans. The FEI then kicked the ball back to EEF – giving them a mandate to present a realistic proposal, including dates, host and venue, that would address all the concerns that originally led to the cancellation. 

According to the EEF, several organisers have expressed that they are willing to enter their bid for the 2021 European Championships in jumping.