On 29 October 2023, Malta will host the European Trotting Championship for Apprentice Riders at the Malta Equidrome Complex in Marsa.
The details about the thirty-seventh edition of this important European event were announced by the Malta Racing Club in the presence of Minister Clifton Grima and the Chairman of EquestriMalta John Huber. Along with the Maltese Jean Claude Pace, twelve other apprentice drivers who will come to our country with their delegations will compete in the championship.
This championship has been held since 1986 and this is the third time it will be held in Malta, after a twenty-eight year absence. The last time it was done in our country was in 1995.
The championship will be held again in Malta after efforts and work by the Malta Racing Club, the organizer of horse races in our country, and which today is also regulated by EquestriMalta.
The Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima praised the organization of this event after a lack of decades, and reiterated that the government will continues to help international events of this scope continue to take place, while continuing to strengthen sports tourism.
“This event is one of a whole series of international sporting events that we had this year and in recent years. Even through the creation of the Malta Equestrian Authority, this Government is also giving importance to trotting and equestrian sports,” said Minister Grima.
For this event the President of the European Trotting Union Marjaana Alaviuhkola is expected to come to Malta for the first time, together with other members of the executive, and various representatives from twelve other European associations which include countries such as Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden.
These young drivers, who all fall under the category of under twenty-five, are all promising and high-level young people who are aiming to become professional drivers in the near future.
The Chairman of the Malta Racing Club Anthony Mifsud expressed his satisfaction that thanks to the positive relationship that exists today between the Malta Racing Club and the European Trotting Union, not only this event will be held in Malta, but Malta will it qualifies for it again after a twenty-three year absence when Malta won the championship in Moscow through driver Tony Cauchi.
Horses from local owners will compete in the championship and registration opens tomorrow, Tuesday 17 October.
Photos: MEYR
