2024 CDI Le Mans Kicks Off Olympic Year With Big Indoor International Competition

2024 CDI Le Mans

The CDI Le Mans on 8 - 11 February 2024 will kick off the Olympic year with the first international competition on the FEI calendar open to all levels, from young horses to Grand Prix.

Staged at the equestrian center "Pole Européen du Cheval," the CDI Le Mans takes place in their spacious equestrian centre and run by a team that has years of experience hosting national and international events across the disciplines.

Top Facility for the Demanding Dressage Rider

Le Mans hosted last year's 2023 European Pony Championships and has hosted no less than 18 CDI's since 2015.

With four indoor arenas, eight outdoors, high quality footing every way and 400 permanent boxes, all conditions are met for the demanding high performance dressage rider. Furthermore there are two restaurants as well as lodging on site and plenty of comfortable and even high luxury hotels in the area.

Kick Off Event in February with Olympic Flair

CDI competition in Le Mans
(Photo © Lukasz Kowalski)

As first show on the 2024 FEI calendar with classes for pony, children, juniors, young riders, a small and a big tour, the CDI Le Mans will be the kick-off event of the year. There will also be a division for 7-year old young horses as well as the newly instated Amateur divisions with a bronze tour (junior level), silver tour (young riders level) and gold tour (small tour level) (see FEI rules, p 66).

The CDI Le Mans will be infused with Olympic flair as the ground jury includes four judges of the panel of seven that will officiate at the Paris Olympics later this summer. For Grand Prix riders it's an opportunity to ride in front of Olympic judges Raphael Saleh (president), Susanne Baarup (DEN), Magnus Ringmark (SWE) and Michael Osinski (USA).

Le Mans, Staple in the Sport

The high standard organisation at the CDI Le Mans has become a staple in the sport, making the venue highly sought after by riders from all over Europe and across the borders.

Pole Européen du Cheval in Le Mans with all
amenties for the demanding competition rider

Pole Européen du Cheval is one of the biggest equestrian hubs in France for competitions. In 2023 there were approximately 52,000 participants competing in 40 events across disciplines.

The 2024 CDI in February will be the first of three international dressage competitions hosted there this year. On 30 May - 2 June Le Mans will be hosting an outdoor CDI 4* as well as CDIO Youth Nations Cup for Children, Pony, Junior, Young and U25 Riders. At the end of the year, 17 - 20 October 2024, Le Mans will stage another indoor CDI with a full package of classes across the levels.

Entries for the February CDI Le Mans are still open until 29 January 2024.

See the FEI Draft Schedule for Le Mans here.