With only a couple of months to go the organizers of the WUEC 2014 (World University Equestrian Championships) do surprise the competitors. The World University Championships (WUC) are part of the sporting events of the International University Sports Federation. The first World University Equestrian Championship was organised in Saumur, France, in 1988. Students from 22 countries gathered in July to compete for the coveted titles. The last editions were held on three different continents: Alger in 2008, Sangju in 2010 and Aachen in 2012. The next event is planned from March 25th until the 28th, 2014. All the students were amazed by the fabulous location; the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club. The same location where one of Jan Top's Global Champions Tour legs is held every year. It sounded like a fairytale, still most nations got caught by surprise when they received an email to announce some bad news.
"Ok very bad news... There are too many teams that subscribed and it becomes too difficult for the organization. They will select teams that can participate based on sport results and geographic criteria We will know the answer by 23/01/2014. There's nothing that we can do than to wait and pray!"(CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL LETTER) The reason; there are just not enough horses. But the question remains, why didn't they put a limit on the registrations?. At the moment student's around the world can only hope their pre-bought airplane and event tickets are not a waste of money. And let us be honest, what will be the criteria of selection for sport results and even more geographic criteria? Will AIEC (International Organization for Student Riders), who organizes some Student Riders Nations Cup's every year, suddenly get involved in the selection for the teams? Or will the FEI be consulted? There are still a lot of open questions that do not justice to an amazing sports world; the world of student riding!