The entries are now definitively closed for the 4th edition of the International 3-Day event of Lignières-en- Berry (France, 50km south of Bourges in the center of France). This eventing show confirms that thanks to a good organization, well fitted equipments and sense of conviviality, the best eventing riders can travel accross France to compete in such an event.
12 nations will be represented: Belgium, China, Germany, Great-Britain, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and France.
Everyone wait escpecialy for Michael Jung's performance with his 5 mounts. The current World and European Champion will be the main attraction of the show, but some other top riders will try to demonstrate that he can be beaten: Pippa Funnell (GBR) current world n°10 is back in Lignières, as well as Alex Hua Tian (CHN) who aims at the next Olympics. Clarke Johnstone (NZL), winner of the FEI Eventing World Cup 2011, will visit the Center of France for the first time, accompanied by his team-mate Jonathan Paget (NZL), recently 5th at CCI4* of Burghley (GBR). Of course, many French riders will do their best in front of this powerful opposition. Nicolas Touzaint, French n°1 and European team silver medallist, will lead the French team with also Arnaud Boiteau, Jean Teulère, Karim Laghouag and Rodolphe Scherer.
This year, the organizing committee creates a new team competition called « Berry's Cup » (Berry is the name of the local region around Lignières) that will be based on the CCI2*. Teams can be composed of 3 or 4 riders from the same nation or not. Teams have to be declared on Wesnesday 28 September evening.
The competition will start on Thursday morning at 9:00am with dressage test for the CIC1*and the CCI2*.

Whether it's on the plate or on horseback, the spectators of the fourth International Eventing of Lignières-en-Berry (Cher, Region Centre) will benefit from a menu of choices! As for sports, 150 riders and 230 horses will walk the courses of the “Pole of the Horse and Donkey” with among participants the current World and European Champion Michael Jung (GER) and the best French riders led by Nicolas Touzaint and Didier Dhennin, loyal supporters of the event. For gastronomy, a new Gourmet Market will be held Saturday and Sunday in partnership with the network “Bienvenue à la Ferme” (i.e. Welcome to the farm). The 2011 edition will be that of a charity called "The Soup of Chiefs”. 9 Chefs of the best restaurant in Berry will culinary inventiveness compete to thrill your taste buds.

Each year the first weekend of October, the huge horsetrucks of the British land at Lignières-en-Berry. As a pilgrimage, they come here for the pleasure of being at the heart of French countryside, and to do battle with the best in Europe. But not only! Outside the 17 riders of Her Majesty, the four Germans, five Belgians, nine Italians and four Swiss, Lignières has the privilege of hosting an Australian, a Chinese and five New Zealanders! Among them, besides Michael Jung (GER) cited above, we will find Karin Donckers (BEL), 12th in the world rankings, leading the Belgian team, Piggy French (GBR) world No. 4 and her compatriot Pippa Funnell (GBR) world n°10, and especially Clarke Johnstone (NZL), winner of the FEI World Cup 2011 and hope of his country for the Olympics in London. A total of 151 riders will start with respectively 111 horses in the 1 star class (CIC*) and 118 in the 2 stars. It will also provide support to the newly Berry Cup, a national team rankings which will bring together seven countries.

Following the very positive response made the first presentation and sale held last year, the ACEVA, the organizer of the competition is open to professional riders working aroung of Lignières, led by Jean- Charles Pirot. They will present Thursday, September 29 at 6:00pm a selection of ten 4 years old and over eventing horses, ridden in dressage and over fences. The catalog will be distributed on site and on the website of the event.

Organisation
Association des Compétitions Équestres du Val d'Arnon (ACEVA)
Secrétariat : Marjorie PETIT
Tél. : +33 (0) 2.48.60.28.12 - Fax : +33 (0) 2.48.60.24.50
mail : cci.aceva@laposte.net
Web : www.lignieres-complet.fr
Press Agency
Agence Pixizone / Xavier Boudon
Tél. : 06 08 82 94 86
Email : lignieres@pixizone.com