August 28, 2013, Lyons…News You Might Want to Know
The NRHA Open International Grand Prix of Lyon: Saturday 2nd November; the Lambey Non Professional Grand Prix: Sunday 3rd November
Every year an amazing phenomenon can be seen in Lyon, France. Westerners from around the world flock to the capital of the Gauls to honor Western riding unlike anywhere else outside the United States. This phenomenon is Equita’ Lyon, the major event on the European equestrian landscape for the last 19 years and the biggest gathering for Western riding outside the US for the last five years. Once again a western wind will blow through Lyon in 2013 from 30th October to 3rd November.
This passion for the American way of life attracts more spectators every year, who perfectly blend in with the 130,000 visitors who explore the aisles of Lyon’s equestrian gathering. All of these people, be they Westerners or not, will come together in particular in an area dedicated to country dancing extending over more than 200m., where demonstrations, courses for beginners and those who wish to improve their technique will be on offer every day.
Two circuits for reining!
For reining, Western riding’s leading discipline, several first-class competitions will be on the agenda: the CRI 1-star A and 3-star A under the authority of the FEI and the NRHA Open International Reining Grand Prix of Lyon and the Lambey Non Professional Grand Prix, under the authority of the powerful American National Reining Horse Association (NRHA).
The Equita’ Lyon Western Horse Show and the NRHA rely on international judges. America’s Richard Olivier Griffith, Germany’s Ralf Hesselschwerdt, Canada’s Lyne Laforme, Italy’s Eugenio Latorre and Enrico Righetti will all be present.
As for the federal circuit, the competition in Lyon will be a qualifier for the 2014 World Equestrian Games, boasting total prize money of € 10,000. There will be more than $60,000 of prize money for the International Reining Grand Prix of Lyon in association with the NRHA, of which $ 37, 500 will solely be for the NRHA Open International Grand Prix of Lyon. It is worth noting that the NRHA World Champion is determined by the amount of prize money won throughout the season. As the competition in Lyon is at the end of the calendar, the discipline’s best performers are expected at Equita’.
~end