Disgrace after failing sound system leads to cancelling European Championships U25

he European Under-25 Championships Freestyle was canceled shortly after the first riders experienced problems with the sound system. The sound system then stopped working altogether, leading to the bizarre decision by officials to continue without music after a lengthy delay but the leaders of national teams protested and the event was called off.

Austria had to endure a lot of rain over the last couple of days, which is presumably the reason what let to the failure of the sound system. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) which owns the championship said it would consider some other venue at some undecided date to re-stage the musical performance.

 

“A farce,” “ludicrous,” were remarks by some chefs d’equipe after the decision by the judges and technical delegate Freddy Leyman of Belgium and an FEI representative present, was announced after four of the 18 rides were completed then the wrong music came halfway through the ride by the fifth combination.

The organizers publicly apologized and agreed to pool the prize money of €5,000 (US$5,930) and spread it evenly to the 18 riders.

The 18 riders in the freestyle came from all over Europe.