2022 CDIO Compiègne Sets New Standards with Brand New Stadium in Its Grand Parc Equestrian

Dressage

France

The CDIO Compiègne, one of Europe's most celebrated and beloved international dressage competitions on the calendar, is raising the bar once again and will be welcoming riders and crowds on 19 - 22 May 2022 to a brand new stadium set in the picturesque Grand Parc Equestrian.

With the 2024 Olympic Games scheduled to take place in Paris, equestrian sport in France has received a considerable financial boost, of which Compiègne was able to benefit due to its proximity to Paris. The stadium has been completely renovated and modernised to the highest standards and with its beneficial dates on the calendar right before the annual summer Championships, the event is considered ideal preparation to gain MER scores and team qualification marks for the 2022 World Championships in Herning and later on, the Paris Olympics.

The Grass Park Becomes Stadium

Cathrine Dufour is entered to compete in Compiègne.

The walk from the racetrack and stable area to the competition grounds will no longer be a stroll in the park. The grass field in front of the grandstand in between those two areas have been converted into a stadium where the action will take place. The main arena has all-weather footing and boasts a panoramic restaurant from where the classes can be followed in a comfortable position.

The works began last year and have been completed in time for the 11th edition of the "Internationaux de Dressage de Compiègne."

“The work carried out last year on our site, which has long been recognised as one of the best international equestrian infrastructures, will enable us to further evolve,” said Monique Marini, chair of the Compiègne Equestrian Association, which organises the event. “Everything has been completely rethought and modernised to ensure the best conditions for horses, riders and spectators, and with a real desire to integrate and preserve the environment around us”.

French to the fore

With the 2022 World Championships Dressage in Herning as year highlight, the CDIO Compiègne has been marked as a team observation and selection event for several countries, including the home nation France.

French Morgan Barbançon competing in
Compiègne

“Compiègne is announced as a crucial and obligatory event in the season for all the riders," said French Technical Dressage Director Emmanuelle Schramm, who has rallied all of France's top Grand Prix riders to meet and face each other in Compiegne in the lead-up to Herning. “The timing is ideal, it represents a good stepping stone for a large number of nations before major events, in particular the World Championships in Herning (DEN, 6-14 August) but also the European Championships for young riders in July."

For France the stakes are high with Paris 2024 looming on the horizon. The French Equestrian Federation aims to build and have a team at peak performance for the Olympics.

“France has an interesting and promising pool of talent, notably with up and coming horses who are starting to perform on the international scene. We’re impatient to be at Compiègne. It's an event we love and the Compiègne Equestrian Association’s organisation is always very good. This competition is a real representation of French excellence, we’ve seen photos of the new site and we’re eager to be there.”

Full Programme and Entertainment Bonus

The CDIO Compiègne is an aal-inclusive event giving young athletes on ponies and horses the opportunity to ride in the same conditions as their Grand Prix idols. The programme this year includes a CDI 3* and 2* for the seniors as well as classes for pony, junior, and young riders as well as the Under 25s.

This 5* event with FEI Nations Cup boasts an extraordinary ground jury with no less than twelve 5* judges officiating, including Raphael Saleh, Susanne Baarup, Mariette Sanders van Gansewinkel, Elke Ebert, Peter Storr, Anne Gribbons, Hans-Christian Matthiesen, Katrina Wüst, Magnus Ringmark, Maria Colliander, Stephen Clarke and FEI Dressage Committee chair Maribel Alonso.

On Sunday 22 May 2022 an entertainment bonus has been added before the show draws to a close. Invited by the City of Compiègne and its agglomeration, Jean-François Pignon will be officially inaugurating and celebrating the amazing renovations of the Grand Parc Equestrian Stadium. He will show his famous horses in liberty set to music and highlight the unique partnership and love between man and horse.