Tsaratsovo (BUL) Hosts Successful Balkan Dressage Championships
18. Sep 2025 / Category: Press Release
Bulgaria's Frigopan Horse Riding Centre in Tsaratsovo provided the perfect stage for the 2025 Balkan Dressage Championships, which wrapped up last Sunday, 14 September, after four days of exceptional competition.
Held under the patronage of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF) and organised by the Bulgarian Equestrian Federation with the Balkan Equestrian Council, the event showcased the grace and discipline that defines dressage, with competitors demonstrating exceptional harmony between horse and rider across six distinct championship categories.
Following the Balkan Jumping Championships in Belgrade earlier this month, the focus shifted to dressage in Tsaratsovo, a venue well-known for hosting international events. Over the course of the competition, athletes from across the Balkans were competing for both individual and team titles. The event drew participation from nations including Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Romania, Turkey and Slovenia, highlighting the depth of talent in the region and offering younger riders invaluable international experience.
Championship Results Across Categories
The 2025 Balkan Dressage Championships crowned winners in six categories, with individual and team medals awarded, as well as in the inaugural Pony Cup and the CDI Young Horse classes.
For Bulgaria, hosting the championships in Tsaratsovo was both an opportunity and a celebration. The Frigopan Horse Riding Centre, with its modern facilities and strong tradition of equestrian sport, provided the perfect backdrop for the competition. Spectators and participants alike praised the organisation and warm hospitality, underscoring Bulgaria's growing reputation as a hub for top-level equestrian events.
"What stood out this year was not only the medal winners, but also the depth of performances across all categories", said Vesela Georgieva, President of the Bulgarian Equestrian Federation.
"The Pony Cup and Young Horse divisions especially showed us the future of Balkan dressage. We are nurturing riders and horses that will be ready for European and even global arenas in the years to come."
Quentin Simonet, President of the European Equestrian Federation, praised the overall success of the championships.
"The 2025 Balkan Dressage Championships exemplified everything we strive for in equestrian sport, from technical excellence, sportsmanship, and the development of young talent.
The quality of competition across all divisions, from the youngest Pony Cup riders to the more experienced riders, demonstrates the strength and promising future of dressage in the Balkan region."
The Balkan Equestrian Championships remain a cornerstone of the region's sporting calendar, rotating annually among member nations and covering jumping, dressage, endurance, and driving. Following the successful showjumping championships in Belgrade earlier this month (read the full report here), the dressage competition in Tsaratsovo has continued this tradition of excellence.
Next up, the Balkan Endurance Championships will take place from 10-12 October in Barban, Istria, Croatia. With each edition of these championships across all disciplines, we see continued growth in scale and impact, fostering young talent and strengthening the bonds within the Balkan equestrian community.
For complete standings and detailed results, visit: Balkan Dressage Results — Equipe Online
About Balkan Championships
The Balkan Equestrian Championships, with over 60 years of prestigious tradition, serve as the premier competitive platform for developing equestrian talent across 12 Balkan nations. Organised annually on different showgrounds under the patronage of the EEF with the Balkan Council support and featuring jumping, dressage, endurance, and driving disciplines for children through seniors, these championships provide crucial development opportunities for riders of all levels while fostering regional growth in participation. The event continues to prove its value as a stepping stone to international competition, with numerous Balkan champions advancing to represent their countries on the world stage, making it one of the most important equestrian events in the region.
