Fédération Equestre International officials announced today, March 31, that Normandy, France, will be the location for the World Equestrian Games in 2014.

“The allocation of the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games to the region of Normandy in France is an important development for the future of our sport. The bid committee, in cooperation with the French Equestrian Federation, has worked for eight years and presented a project of outstanding quality and vision which enjoys the support of the French government and regional authorities, and presents us as a sport with an exceptional platform in the very heart of a region that shares our passion for horses,” said FEI President HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

“Hosting the FEI World Equestrian Games represents an exceptional opportunity for the promotion and development of Normandy on the international level,” said Laurent Beauvais, President of the Regional Council of Basse-Normandy and President of the Organizing Committee Normandy 2014. “Normandy is the first region in France for horse breeding and champions. Normandy has a true legitimacy to host the most prestigious equestrian competition. Normandy is proud to take up this challenge.”

Normandy boasts a natural environment favorable to all horse activities, first rank infrastructure, renowned equine research centers and high level industry related to horses. Many competitions are organized in Normandy each year.