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REINING WILL BE IN JEREZ 2002

Reining becomes the seventh discipline of the world equestrian games

Reining is set to become the seventh FEI discipline at next year World Equestrian Games. Following the formal agreement reached at the beginning of this month between WEG Organizing Committee and the Worldwide Reining Community, the FEI and Jerez 2002 are pleased to announce that the first official World Championship of the newest FEI sport will be included in the equestrian sport's premier event. Reining competitions will take place during the second week of WEG and the venue will be, as for the vaulting events, the brand new Sports Palace (Chapin 3). Both team and individual medals will be awarded and approximately ten nations are expected to take part with individuals and/or a team. Reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch type horse in the confines of a show arena. Contestans are required to run one of several approved patterns wich includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, rol backs over the hocks, etc. All riders must wear appropiate western atire while showing.

JEREZ CAPTIVATED AACHEN

SPAIN AND JEREZ WEG,LEADING LIGHTS THIS YEAR IN THE AACHEN FESTIVAL

Jerez 2002 has been a central character in the International Equestrian Festival in Aachen, which dedicated its 64th edition in June this year to Spain and the World Equestrian Games. The Jerez 2002 Organising Committee, in an atmosphere of great expectation, managed to create a very special feeling in Aachen during a week of intense promotion which has been a foresight of what the event will be like from 10 to 22 September next year.

A thrilled audience took full part in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Festival, which were headed by almost a hundred horses from the most important spanish equestrian institutions, such as the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, the Cartuja-Hierro del Bocado Stud and the Mounted Unit of the Barcelona Urban Guard.

This display of the Spanish horse and Andalusian culture captivated the International Equestrian Family, caused great excitement and brought new friends and supporters to the 4th edition of the Equestrian World Championships.

HRH the Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón, President of the International Equestrian Federation accompanied the Spanish delegation at the official reception given by the Mayor of Aachen, Jürgen Linden, in the City Hall. The event was accompanied by the music of the Hermandad del Rocío Choir of Jerez and the Tuna of Toledo, a traditional students string and vocal group, both brought in specially for the occasion.

The Jerez 2002 WEG Organising Committee views very positively the warm welcome afforded to its promotional efforts at this important equestrian festival in Aachen, which is considered the biggest equestrian sports event in Europe.

JEREZ 2002 SOLD THE FIRST TICKET TO THE GAMES IN AACHEN

Retired clinical assistant, Elizabeth Krichel, a 75-year-old German widow, has become the first person to obtain a ticket to see the Games. The reservation of the ticket was made at a special advance promotion held at the Aachen Festival.

FINO, THE OFFICIAL MASCOT, TO PROMOTE THE JEREZ 2002 GAMES

Fino, like the sherry wine, is the name of the official mascot of the World Equestrian Games. Many will already know him, a winged Spanish horse. This friendly little Pegasus will soon be seen throughout Europe promoting Jerez 2002.

THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE

www.jerez2002weg.com the best way to keep informed on weg

All those interested in keeping updated on WEG s ongoing preparations should write down the address of WEG 2002 official web site: www.Jerez2002weg.com. Internet will be one of the main communication tools for the Organizing Committee and will be regularly updated with general information and news. On the web site you can find several sections which provides you with a wide picture of the biggest equestrian event in the world. In The Games youll find information regarding the Organizing Committee, WEGs history, sponsors, disciplines and venues; in the Press Area you can dowload all latest news, releases, photos and media information. Also on the web site you can access to the Box Office (to be opened soon); get to know Jerez de la Frontera; and send your request to become a volunteer during WEG 2002.

WEG 2002 PRESENTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA AT CHIO AACHEN

During the 2001 CHIO in Aachen the 2002 World Equestrian Games were presented to the International Media. The press conference was attended by a large audience interested in getting all latest news on the ongoing activity of the organization of the worlds biggest equestrian event. Among the speakers were the FEI Secretary General, Mr Bo Helander, Mr. Luis Figueroa Griffith, Vice President of Jerez 2002 Organizing Committee and President of the Spanish Equestrian Federation, and Rafael Soto, leading Spanish dressage rider. Bo Helander underlined how Jerezs project fullfills at its best the WEG concept by concentrating most events in one main venue (Chapin) and it can also count on the strong support of the citys and the Regionals authorities, as well as a promising backing by the population.

The strenght of Jerez 2002 project was stessed also by Luis Figueroa Griffith who explained how important this event is going to be for the Spanish community as well as for the equestrian world.

DRESSAGE IN SPAIN

SPANISH DRESSAGE TEAM AMONGST THE BEST IN THE WORLD

There was great excitement within the Spanish team at the last CDIO in Aachen (Germany), one of the greatest equestrian events in the world. Spain scored one of its best ever result in dressage with the team which came third in the prestigious Nations Cup, behind Germany and Holland. The team was formed by Rafael Soto on Invasor, Beatriz Ferrer-Salat on Beauvalais, Juan Antonio Jimenez riding Guizo and Ignacio Rambla on Granadero. With a total score in the team competition of 5.151 (only 5 points behind Holland), the Spanish team showed in Aachen that it will be one of the main contenders to step on the podium at next years World Championships.

Individually the best of the Spanish contingent was anchorman Rafael Soto, from the Real Escuela Espanola of Jerez, who, riding his grey Andalusian Invasor was fifth in the Grand Prix Special, and fourth in the Grand Prix Freestyle. In the Grand Prix Freestyle, the most important individual competition, very positive performances came also from Juan Antonio Jimenez, ninth on Guizo; and from Ignacio Rambla, tenth on Granadero. It was magic being so successful here in Aachen commented Rafael Soto at WEG 2002 Press Conference We are working very hard in order to get at our best in next years WEG where we are aiming to be on the podium. It would be the greatest achievement for the Spanish riders to get a medal in front of their own home crowd!.

Anything is possible. In fact, Classical Dressage has been the discipline in which Spain has most progressed over the last few years, as has been made plain by the succession of scores obtained by our riders and horses - which are also Spanish - at the Olympic Games in Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000).

Press Accreditation and Hotel Reservation will start next January. Deadline for application and hotel booking will be 31st March 2002. Further information about this subject will be available later this year.