CDI Lier welcomes World Champions

With less than two weeks to go, the field of participants for the seventh edition of CDI Lier is known. A veritable invasion of world champions will travel to Azelhof Equestrian Center in Lier. From Tuesday, February 27 to Sunday, March 3, not only will these top combinations be enjoying themselves, but Kyra Kyrklund will also treat the public to two interesting clinics.

With reigning world champion Charlotty Fry and former world and Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin, among others, the field of participants leaves nothing to be desired. In addition, two-fold world champion of the World Championship for Young Horses, Jovian, is making his international Grand Prix debut under Patrik Kittel. This has been eagerly awaited since the announcement of the rider change.

Belgian youth champions at the start
The youth is again welcome at CDI Lier this year. There will be classes for the international Pony, Children, Juniors, Young Riders and U25 combinations. They get a great opportunity to ride in the international spotlight and prepare for the youth European Championships this summer. Almost all reigning Belgian youth champions will appear at the start.

Biggest Indoor dressage competition of the world
“I am very pleased with the large number of starts. Looking at the number of starts in the 3* and 4* Grand Prix, we can even call ourselves the biggest indoor dressage competition in the world. A total of 220 horses are coming and we even have a waiting list”, Chairman Wim Verwimp enthused. “CDI Lier is important for many riders leading up to the Paris Olympics this summer and it’s fantastic to see more and more bigger names coming to the start of CDI Lier. This is definitely going to make for great sport, both for the competitors and for the public who are of course very welcome.”

British Olympic team present
Jovian and Patrik Kittel, who appear at the start of the 3*-Grand Prix Tour, will have competition from Charlotte Fry and Nespresso, Charlotte Durjadin and Alive and Kicking and Richard Davidson and Interno, with whom almost the entire British Olympic team will travel to CDI Lier. Other big names competing include Germany’s Dorothee Schneider, Australia’s Kirsty Oatley, France’s Morgan Barbançon, the Dutch Hans Peter Minderhoud and Sweden’s Juliëtte Ramel and Therese Nilshagen, as well as reigning Belgian champion Larissa Pauluis. In total, participants from 20 countries will compete.

Dressage clinics with Kyra Kyrklund
On Thursday afternoon and Sunday afternoon, none other than Kyra Kyrklund will be coming to provide an interesting dressage clinic. This Olympic dressage legend will give some of her valuable insights to all dressage fans in Lier.