By Tom Degun

dressage_15-09-11September 17 - The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) have announced that the French city of Lyon will host the 2014 FEI World Cup jumping and dressage finals after the Mexican city of Guadalajara withdrew from staging the competition despite previously being awarded it.


Guadalajara gave back the event after it was decided that they would not be able to get the facilities for the competition up to the standard required by the FEI by 2014.

But despite the embarrassment, the issue will have no bearing on the equestrian competitions at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara next month, which will act as a qualifying event for the London 2012 Olympics in Greenwich Park.

Guadalajara also hopes to put in a bid for the 2015 FEI World Cup Final and say that they will have facilities up to FEI World Cup standard by then.

"We very much regret that Guadalajara was not able to comply with the FEI requirements within the timeframe and we understand that they need some more time to put on a perfect event," said FEI secretary general Ingmar De Vos.

"They are now working on a bid for the FEI World Cup Final in 2015 and we look forward to receiving it.

"We are delighted to give the 2014 FEI World Cup Finals in both jumping and dressage to Lyon and look forward to spectacular sport in France."

Lyon will now host the FEI World Cup jumping and dressage finals in April 2014.

Meanwhile, the equestrian competitions at the 2011 Pan American Games will take place at the three venues with dressage at the Guadalajara Country Club, jumping at the Hipica Club and eventing at the Santa Sofia Golf Club.

The event is approved by the FEI but the international governing body for equestrian did not want the 2014 World Cup Final to take place at three different venues.

The equestrian event at the 2011 Pan American Games will take place from October 16 to 29, with a maximum of 130 competitors allowed and each NOC eligible to enter a maximum of four athletes in dressage and five athletes each in eventing.

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