Thessaloniki is once again transformed into the epicentre of the global equestrian scene for the second consecutive year, welcoming top athletes from 12 countries along with their high-standard horses, expected to offer thrilling spectacles at the IPPOS SPRING TOUR International Show Jumping Competitions! The event will take place at the state-of-the-art facilities of the “Ippos Club” in Nea Raidestos, over two consecutive four-day periods (May 9-12 and May 16-19), with free admission for the public.
Following last year’s pioneering and highly successful venture, the IPPOS CSI TOUR is now established as an institution and is stepping up its game in its second year of operation, attracting this year 150 riders and 240 horses from ten European countries, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates.
The event is included in the official competition calendar of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and includes four separate categories that award points in the world ranking (ranking classes), while also offering monetary prizes totalling €174,000 to the winners.
Among the athletes who will be at the “Ippos Club” in Nea Raidestos, Thessaloniki, to compete for the rich prizes and the applause of the audience, there will be prominent names such as the Brazilian Rasselle Rinaldini, Italian Andrea Messersi, the Bulgarian Ivo Bonev, as well as the Greek champions Kaiti Laskaridi and Alexandros Fourlis.
All of them will have the opportunity to showcase their worth, in collaboration with their wonderful horses, at the excellent facilities of the Ippos Club, which has gained international recognition in a short period of time and is considered the most modern equestrian centre in the Balkans, including 60 permanent stables and 220 guest stables, three outdoor arenas with special silica sand imported from Spain for the needs of official events, and an indoor arena for the riding school, as well as many other auxiliary areas, covering a total area of 151 acres.
“The foreign participation in this year’s IPPOS CSI SPRING TOUR has significantly increased, which pleases us greatly. The presence of top athletes from ten European countries, as well as from Brazil and the United Arab Emirates, is the result of the reputation our high-quality facilities have gained, combined with the success of last year’s competitions.
Given that each athlete will be accompanied on average by three other people, our event contributes to the internationalization of Thessaloniki and the development of sports tourism, which is also of great importance to us.
“We have prepared in all areas to offer again the best competitive experience to the participants, with the prospect of reaching even higher in our next international competition, the IPPOS CSI AUTUMN TOUR, which we will host here this fall, on 3-6 October and 10-13October,” emphasized the Event Coordinator, Christina Mavrofridi.
Apart from intense competitive interest for the devoted fans of equestrianism, the IPPOS SPRING TOUR also promises a unique experience for those who want to discover the wonderful world of the sport, to be initiated into it, and to spend the most beautiful moments in a comfortable outdoor space for the whole family, enjoying the musical events and parallel activities that will accompany the competitive program.
For more information about the event and the detailed competition schedule for the four-day periods of 9-12 May and 16-19 May, you can visit the website https://ipposclub.com/.