2021 CDIO Compiègne, Olympic Meeting Point, Behind Closed Doors

Dressage

France

The 2021 CDIO 5* in Compiègne, France, will be the meeting point for riders from across the globe vying for Tokyo Olympic team selection.

After cancelling the 2020 edition because of the corona outbreak, the CDIO Compiègne returns on the 2021 calendar for its 10th anniversary edition on 26 - 30 May 2021. The event will take place behind closed doors with all Covid-19 and EHV-1 safety measures in place.

World Elite Comes to France

Some of the world's best dressage riders are gathering in Compiègne to compete in the 5* CDIO FEI Nations' Cup, sponsored by Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe. They are selected either on their country's team or as individuals seeking top scores from the ground jury, consisting of 6 out of 7 Olympic judges that will officiate in Tokyo.

For Denmark, Cathrine Dufour will be saddling her Olympic hope Bohemian (by Bordeaux x Samarant) and she is joined by the second team candidate Carina Cassoe Kruth on Heiline's Danciera (by Furstenball x De Niro).

French team trainer Jean Bemelmans selected three serious Tokyo contenders for the Nations' Cup on home turf: Maxime Collard (Cupido PB), Isabelle Pinto (Hot Chocolate van de Kwaplas) and Anne Sophie Serre (Actuelle de Massa).

Great Britain is sending Olympian Emile Faurie on his 2018 WEG team ride Dono di Maggio (by Dimaggio x Santander) alongside 2019 European Championship team rider Charlotte Fry on Dark Legend) as individual competitors in the 5* leg.

The Portuguese team comes full force with Maria Caetano (Fenix de Tineo), Joao Torrao (Equador) and Rodrigo Torres (Fogoso HorseCampline) and the same counts for Sweden with Patrik Kittel (Well Done de la Roche), flanked by his two students, sisters Antonia and Juliette Ramel (Brother de Jeu, Buriel KH).

Olympic Ground Jury

Katrina Wust is head of the ground jury in Tokyo

No less than 175 combinations from 19 countries are entered to compete in Compiègne, many of them happily returning to these show grounds in the picturesque Parc Equestre of this historic French town. Aside from the 5* Nations Cup, the event stages a 3* big tour and 2* small tour, and classes from pony level to Under 25.

Year after year the ground jury in Compiègne features five-star level experience; this year with no less than fourteen 5* judges officiating, including seven out of seven judges from the Tokyo Olympic Games' panel. Katrina Wust (GER) is president of the ground jury, and she is joined by Andrew Gardner (GBR), Hans-Christian Matthiesen (DEN), Susan Hoevenaars (AUS), Francis Verbeek-van Rooij (NED), and Magnus Ringmark (SWE).

The entry field for the four-day competition is star studded with more Olympians and Championship riders, such as Lyndal Oatley (Elvive), Andreas Helgstrand (Fiontini), Fiona Bigwood (Hawtins Delicato), Laura Tomlinson (Rose of Bavaria), Hans Peter Minderhoud (Casper), Jordi Domingo (Esprit Dond D), Severo Jurado Lopez (Fendi T), Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven (Devanto), Henri Ruoste (Kontestro DB, Rossetti), amongst many others.

Competition Loved by Riders, Judges

The organising committee of the CDIO Compiègne is thrilled to be hosting their highly valued international dressage competition for the 10th time.

"After the cancellation of the 2020 edition, our team considered it essential to offer a show of grand standing to the riders. We have judges of the highest level and provide the best conditions, so that the riders can be assessed at their best level," says show director Monique Marini.

Monique Marini, show director of the CDIO Compiègne

Marini assures that the strictest health measures are in place. Spectators are not allowed, there will be mask wearing by everyone except riders on horseback, and a negative covid PCR test has to be presented to gain access the show grounds.

Marini is proud that her competition is able to welcome back such a large field of world class riders.

"Compiègne has become a fixture on the calendar for many riders, who return year after year to our show," Marini added. "We are proud that we can provide them the best conditions for competition along with a touch of the French lifestyle."

Discover more of the CDIO Compiègne at ww. compiegne-equestre.com