The Able Disabled - European Para Equestrian Championship

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The Able Disabled - European Para Equestrian Championship
By Cecilie Wendel

After losing his arms in a childhood accident Cato Zahl Pedersen has motivated and shown the world that the impossible is possible.

After losing his arms in a childhood accident Cato Zahl Pedersen has motivated and shown the world that the impossible is possible. He has skied to the South Pole, achieved 13 gold medals in summer and winter Paralympics and climbed almost to the top of Mount Everest.

This time the mount isn’t even 2 metres, and although “unarmed” his aim is focused; Mr Pedersen is Honorary President of The European Para Equestrian Championships in Kristiansand, Norway.

The event is an important milestone and I hope this is the start of a tradition where we lead the way on integrating the disabled. But without cooperation there wouldn’t be any event explains the Honorary President:

The willingness and cooperation from several parties has made this event possible. It’s almost like the cooperation we see between horse and rider. Seeing riders who need help to eat, easily manage and communicate with half a ton horse makes one speechless.

The European Para Equestrian Championship is only held every 4 years. Amongst the riders from 23 countries there are also non-Europeans participating, as it is an open event and a qualifier to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010. Between 20-23 August 82 riders with different disabilities will be riding for medals and glory on the south coast of Norway.

Update: August 13 2009:

Facts About Fei’s European & Open Para Equestrian Championship 2009

Epona Riding Centre, Kristiansand, Norway 19-23 August

The start lists reveal 80 of the world's top disabled riders from 22 nations - see the complete list of riders http://www.paraem2009.no/publisher/publisher.asp?id=93

European Para Equestrian Championship are held only every four years. It will be the highest-level equestrian championship ever staged in Norway and The Norwegian Equestrian Federation (NRYF) is honoured to host this event.

This is an important equestrian event, but not least an important sports event for the disabled. It is the first time Norway is hosting a European Championship in a summer sport for the disabled.

There are also non-Europeans participating, as it is an open event and a qualification for next year's Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games(WEG) in Kentucky. Next year’s WEG will be historical in two respects: it will be the first time WEG is held in the United States, and the first time Para Equestrian Dressage is one of the disciplines.

FEI’s European & Open Para Equestrian Championship are held at Epona Riding Centre, near Kristiansand, on the south coast of Norway and 11.6km from Kjevik Airport.

Princess Märtha Louise will officially open the event on Thursday 20 August.

The Norwegian Equestrian Federation and Epona Riding Centre look forward to welcoming local and international media to view the performance of these top international competitors.

Reference: You can find more information at www.paraem2009.no and follow us at http://twitter.com/ParaEquestrian (Photo Credits - Trine Meiningen)

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