The countdown has begun for one of the most interesting events in our competition calendar: the International Jumping Competition of A Coruña. From the 17-19th of December the 21st edition of the CSI will be held at the indoor arena in the Casas Novas Equestrian Center. The new program format combines daily trials of the traditional CSI 5*, the maximum international category reserved for top professional riders, with two other trials of a new CSI 2*, in which amateurs riders positioned in the international ranking can compete.

There will be a total of four trials daily, beginning at 12 pm, with heights from 1.30m to 1.60m. The Grand Prix Telefónica, the most important trial of the competition, will be held Saturday the 18th at 6 pm. Using the two rounds without jump-off standard, the new victor will join the list of previous winners of the CSI A Coruña competitions.

19 FLAGS TO FLY OVER THE ARENA
Although the list of participants is not closed yet, approximately 160 horses and 70 riders from 19 countries will be at the CSI A Coruña: Brazil, France, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Australia, UK, Saudi Arabia, which won the Gold in Teams in the Asian Games, Azerbaijan, Japan, Mexico, Finland, New Zealand, Switzerland and the USA. The Spanish riders will face very tough competition in the different trials. Only once during the history of the CSI A Coruña has a Spaniard won the competition. Jesus Garmendia, from San Sebastian, triumphed in the Grand Prix of December of 2009.

At present, some of the favorites who have confirmed their participation in the event are from France: Roger- Yves Bost, who will try to improve his time from last year, when he took three victories, the veteran Michel Robert and Penelope Leprevost, who is listed at number 9 in the FEI ranking.

Also competing at the CSI A Coruña are Dutchmen Harry Smolders and Gerco Schröder, who just won the CSI 5* of Brussels, Jessica Kürten, from Ireland, number 10 of the FEI ranking, and two riders from the Brazilian team that took fourth place at the Kentucky World Equestrian games last October: Álvaro de Miranda and Bernardo Alves.

PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR CSI AT CASAS NOVAS
The organization is preparing the grounds to receive the thousands of participants expected at the competition. A large marquee will be set up that includes a café and restaurant services, there will also be a buffet, the spectator stands, free parking , a VIP area and a press room to attend the public, sponsors, journalists and participants.