Just days after publicly announcing that Waregem launched a bid to host a multi-discipline 2027 FEI European Championship, dressage, para-dressage, and eventing have been dropped from the bidding process.
Big Plans
At the 2025 Belgian Equestrian Federation's riders gala - "Equigala" - KBRSF chair Stephan Detry proudly announced that Waregem aimed to host the 2027 Europeans for dressage, para dressage, show jumping and eventing.
The project was going to be supported by the Flemish government, in partnership with sports consultancy company Golazo (Bob Verbeeck), Horse Sport Flanders, and the Belgian equestrian federation.
Into Thin Air
Three months later the news became known that already shortly after the Equigala, the disciplines dressage, para-dressage and eventing were discarded from the planning.
Eurodressage inquired with Detry about the reasons for dropping dressage.
"KBRSF submitted a bid to FEI in late 2024," Detry replied via the KBRSF press officer. "At that time, final government support had not yet been confirmed. Meanwhile, there is more clarity on the funds made available by the Flemish government. Although this support is still substantial, the amount is lower than originally communicated. As a result, choices have been made. Eventing was already excluded when the bid was submitted. Since FEI does not separate the organisation of the European Dressage and Para-dressage Championships in 2027, it was finally decided to nominate only the European Championships Jumping in Waregem."
As jumping is known to be the most profitable equestrian discipline to organize, the OC is fully committing to hosting the Jumping Euros.
"The allocation of the European Championships Jumping by the FEI is still ongoing. We expect a decision in early May," Detry added.
Who Will Organize Dressage?
Eurodressage has received confirmation that three other venues are now in the running for the 2027 Dressage Euros: Neustadt/Dosse (GER) and Randbol (DEN), who also applied in 2025, and Stadl Paura (AUT) is now the third candidate in the mix.
Detry tried to soothe the wound that Waregem will still put a focus on other disciplines.
"2027 will in any case be a thematic year around the horse, a unique opportunity to highlight the richness and diversity of equestrian sport in Flanders," he said. "Within that framework, there will be plenty of room to actively involve other disciplines, and introduce the public to all facets of the sport. That is part of the broader vision and preparation for 2027."
Related Link
Waregem (BEL) Launches Bid to Host 2027 European Dressage Championships