German show organizer and dressage rider Lukas Blatzheim has been forced to cancel his CDI in Mallorca, which was scheduled to take place 30 March - 1 April and 5 - 7 April 2024.
Blatzheim and his team had planned on hosting two back-to-back 4* CDI's but in the end the events were cancelled.
"It's extremely unfortunate. We put so much effort, dedication and money into this project. We will try it in the future again," Blatzheim told Euordressage.
When asked what the reasons for cancellation are, he replied, "It's based on obstacles with the government that we need licences we weren't aware of and we got the information too late. It might have been much easier if we were locals and aware of the local laws but since we are foreigners on Mallorca we couldn't have known this."
He continued, "we also did not have any support from the Spanish Equestrian Federation. We always felt from them that they more have liked us not to do it, than do it."
Blatzheim is looking to the future though and hopes to try again host a show in sunny Mallarco soon. "With the knowledge we have gain we will definitely try this again in the future. I was extremely surprised, we were not sure how the riders would see it, as it's such an effort to bring the horses to Mallorca, but the feedback from the riders and well known names. They were really into bringing their horses there and competing there."
He concluded, "regulations don't always make it easy for an organizer to do the best they want to do."
Instead Blatzheim will host a small CDI at his home base in Troisdorf (GER) on 4 - 7 April 2024.
"As we were late the FEI made us a non-OG/MER event," he explained. "We always try to do our best as an organizer. We have a great panel of five-star judges."
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Inaugural CDI Troisdorf Welcomes International Riders with Extra Focus on Amateurs and Young Horses
Photo Report: Rollercoaster Grand Prix Debut for Rath's Thiago at 2022 CDI Troisdorf