Para-Equestrians wanting to compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games can now apply for funding as part of a new grant program to help with training expenses.
Eurovestech plc, the pan-European development capital fund, has put up a €25,500 grant to support 15 equestrian athletes from around the world as they prepare for London 2012.
The grants, which will be distributed by the FEI, will be available to riders who have not won medals at the Paralympics, World Championships or World Equestrian Games since 2004.
National Federations representing Para-Equestrians from smaller nations where funding is limited are urged to apply for the grants. The grants are available to riders who compete on their own horses and those that compete on borrowed horses.
Interested riders should contact their National Federation with their competition and training plans before August 15, 2011.
In 2006, Para-Equestrian Dressage joined the ranks of the seven disciplines regulated by the FEI. The FEI was one of the first International Federations to govern and regulate a sport for disabled athletes.
“The Para-Equestrian medals at London 2012 will be hotly contested, just as they were at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky last year, when Para-Dressage was included for the first time,” said Trond Asmyr, FEI Director of Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage.
“The FEI, IPC and Eurovestech are very much looking forward to lending support to Paralympic hopefuls around the world who are now focusing on competing in Greenwich.”