Amadeus Horse Indoors still relies on private funding

The Amadeus Horse Indoors is not yet covering its costs, and its president says he continues to fund part of the event. ORF reports that the equestrian competition, show and horse fair will return to Salzburg in December with a new sports director and a revised schedule.

Wenzel Schmidt, the event’s president and patron, said he was backing it for the fourth time this year. His businesses and personal funds have contributed about two million euros over the past three years, he said. The event’s budget exceeds two million euros.

Schmidt said he hopes to fund half the budget through sponsorship in the long term. Talks with potential sponsors are under way, but the difficult economic situation means the process will take time, he said.

New sports director Gregor Gschlenk said the show jumping Grand Prix will move from Sunday to Saturday. The change is intended to give young riders more space and put the five-star dressage freestyle on Sunday in the spotlight.

The event will run from December 3 to 6 at the Salzburgarena and the Salzburg Exhibition Centre. Among those expected is Isabell Werth, an eight-time Olympic dressage champion. The programme will combine sport, a trade fair, a show and events for young people, Gschlenk said.