With just days to go until the start of the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, Ermelo in the Netherlands has been announced as the host of the FEI Para Dressage European Championship in 2025, following a decision by the FEI Board, and endorsement by the FEI Para Equestrian Technical Committee and the European Equestrian Federation (EEF).
The Championship, which is scheduled to take place from 3 to 7 September 2025, builds on Ermelo’s proven track record in hosting major equestrian events at the Dutch National Equestrian Centre, including the FEI Dressage European Championships for Juniors and Young Riders in 2009 and national Dressage Championships. More recently, Ermelo hosted the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors in 2021 and the FEI Endurance European Championship in 2023. The venue has also been the host of the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses for several years.
“We are delighted that the National Federation of the Netherlands has committed to hosting the Para Dressage European Championship,” said FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez, who is also President of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations (APSO).
“This will be the first time the FEI Para Dressage European Championship is hosted in Ermelo, representing a major milestone for our sport. We are looking forward to working closely with the organisers to deliver an exceptional sporting experience and know that the Dutch National Equestrian Centre’s world-class facilities will provide the perfect environment for this prestigious event.
“It was also important for the FEI to partner with a host who shares our vision of breaking down barriers for persons with disabilities in society. The FEI is committed to working together to ensure the Championship fully embraces accessibility, allowing everyone, regardless of their disability, to engage in all aspects of the event.”
Based on the learnings and good practices of the FEI World Championships in Herning (DEN) and Pratoni (ITA) in 2022, the FEI Dressage and Para Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck in 2023, were the first to be organised in line with the requirements set out in the FEI Accessibility Handbook for Event Organisers.
This handbook, which is the result of consultation and collaboration with accessibility experts, individuals with disabilities and professionals in the equestrian industry, covers venue layout, accommodation and transportation among other areas of Event planning and delivery.
‘’We are delighted that the FEI has put its trust in us to host the best para and equine athletes in Europe at the FEI Para Dressage European Championship in 2025,’’ said Iris Boelhouwer, Secretary General of the Dutch Federation.
“In Ermelo, we will provide the requisite elite facilities for an elite competition, and strive to foster the values of teamwork, cooperation, fairness and respect that define such an event.
“With just over a year to go, in everything we do in preparing for this prestigious event we are committed to the highest standards of equine welfare, accessibility and sustainability for our human and equine athletes, staff, spectators and surrounding environment. We look forward to warmly welcoming them all to Ermelo.’’
The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to oversee and regulate global para sport alongside its able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage was integrated in 2006. This followed the creation of the FEI Para Equestrian Committee, which was established when the governance of Para Equestrian sport transitioned from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to the FEI.
Since then, Para Equestrian sport has been increasingly integrated into the FEI’s governance and into its European and World Championship structures, significantly raising the profile of Para Sport within the equestrian community.
These top-down initiatives have not only advanced the development of Para Equestrian sport within the FEI but have also contributed to more positive attitudes towards disability and inclusion within the equestrian world as a whole.a
The Championship, which is scheduled to take place from 3 to 7 September 2025, builds on Ermelo’s proven track record in hosting major equestrian events at the Dutch National Equestrian Centre, including the FEI Dressage European Championships for Juniors and Young Riders in 2009 and national Dressage Championships. More recently, Ermelo hosted the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors in 2021 and the FEI Endurance European Championship in 2023. The venue has also been the host of the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses for several years.
“We are delighted that the National Federation of the Netherlands has committed to hosting the Para Dressage European Championship,” said FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez, who is also President of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations (APSO).
“This will be the first time the FEI Para Dressage European Championship is hosted in Ermelo, representing a major milestone for our sport. We are looking forward to working closely with the organisers to deliver an exceptional sporting experience and know that the Dutch National Equestrian Centre’s world-class facilities will provide the perfect environment for this prestigious event.
“It was also important for the FEI to partner with a host who shares our vision of breaking down barriers for persons with disabilities in society. The FEI is committed to working together to ensure the Championship fully embraces accessibility, allowing everyone, regardless of their disability, to engage in all aspects of the event.”
Based on the learnings and good practices of the FEI World Championships in Herning (DEN) and Pratoni (ITA) in 2022, the FEI Dressage and Para Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck in 2023, were the first to be organised in line with the requirements set out in the FEI Accessibility Handbook for Event Organisers.
This handbook, which is the result of consultation and collaboration with accessibility experts, individuals with disabilities and professionals in the equestrian industry, covers venue layout, accommodation and transportation among other areas of Event planning and delivery.
‘’We are delighted that the FEI has put its trust in us to host the best para and equine athletes in Europe at the FEI Para Dressage European Championship in 2025,’’ said Iris Boelhouwer, Secretary General of the Dutch Federation.
“In Ermelo, we will provide the requisite elite facilities for an elite competition, and strive to foster the values of teamwork, cooperation, fairness and respect that define such an event.
“With just over a year to go, in everything we do in preparing for this prestigious event we are committed to the highest standards of equine welfare, accessibility and sustainability for our human and equine athletes, staff, spectators and surrounding environment. We look forward to warmly welcoming them all to Ermelo.’’
The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to oversee and regulate global para sport alongside its able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage was integrated in 2006. This followed the creation of the FEI Para Equestrian Committee, which was established when the governance of Para Equestrian sport transitioned from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to the FEI.
Since then, Para Equestrian sport has been increasingly integrated into the FEI’s governance and into its European and World Championship structures, significantly raising the profile of Para Sport within the equestrian community.
These top-down initiatives have not only advanced the development of Para Equestrian sport within the FEI but have also contributed to more positive attitudes towards disability and inclusion within the equestrian world as a whole.a