Foreword by the FEI President

Foreword by the FEI President

On behalf of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), it is my great pleasure to welcome you to Sighisoara, Romania for the FEI Balkan Eventing Championships 2013. This city has strong connections to Vlad lll, Prince of Wallachia, whose fierce reputation inspired Bram Stoker’s vampire character Count Dracula. However Sighisoara is best known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the examplary preservation of the features of a small medieval fortified town. Its tradition of great craftsmanship, and its authentic medieval architecture, have ensured its important status within the region.

Bulgaria, Turkey and Romania claimed the three Individual medals at these Championships last year when the event was staged in Eskisehir, Turkey. It was 28-year-old Bulgarian, Ivan Dobrev, who secured a clear victory with Nikita, and 23-year-old silver medallist, Simge Ozaltindere from Turkey, described Pierre Michelet’s cross-country track as “a teaching course”. Providing a strong competitive opportunity for up-and-coming horses and riders is the whole focus of these Championships which have been running, on an irregular basis, since 1968.

Ground Jury President, Mr Kuckuk, described last year’s fixture as “a landmark” for the region. “The highly qualified officials appointed by the FEI have shown that even the competitions themselves can be a tool of development” he said, encapsulating the spirit and intention of all FEI Championship events across the globe which strive to encourage progress and best practice in every element, and at every level, of our sport. Once again this year, competitors from the region will battle it out for the title of FEI Balkan Eventing Champion, and to each and every one of you I send my very best wishes for success over the coming days. I would also like to send a special thanks to the organisers, supporters, officials, volunteers and spectators who make such an essential contribution to this important fixture.