SERVICE PROVIDER
BALKAN DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIP
2025
11-14 September 2025
Frigopan Equestrian Center
Tsaratsovo, Bulgaria
Balkan Dressage Championship 2025/CDIYH Schedule
Balkan Pony Cup Schedule
MEDIA PARTNER
BALKAN DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIP
BALKAN DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 – TECHNICAL DELEGATE
Technical Delegate
Freddy Leyman
(BEL)
Freddy Leyman is FEI Technical Delegate, 4*/YH International Dressage and 5* Paradressage Judge from Belgium
He is a FEI Dressage Judge 4* also Young Horses and FEI Para-Dressage Judge 5*.
FEI Technical Delegate for many years.
He was on the judging panel of many prestigious competitions:
– The FEI Paralympic Games in London (2012)
– The WEG / Para-Dressage in Caen (2014)
Judged more than 30 FEI Continental Dressage Championships and Regional Games.
FEI Technical Delegate at more than 30 other Continental Dressage Championships and Regional Games.
His profession is a Engineer in Constructions.
BALKAN DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 – JUDGES TEAM
Ground Jury President
Elisabeth MAX-THEURER
(AUT)
Elisabeth MAX-THEURER is a 5*/YH international FEI Dressage judge from Austria.
Equestrian Background & functions as an official:
- President – Austrian Equestrian Federation (since 2002)
- Vice-President – Austrian Olympic Committee → Chairwoman – European Dressage Working Group
- Former chairwoman of the advisory board of the Spanish Riding School
- FEI Judge – Dressage 4* & 5*
- FEI Judge YH – Dressage 4* & 5*
- FEI Solidarity Committee member
- Former FEI Dressage Task Force member
Sports Career
- 1979 – European Championships, Aarhus DEN – European Champion-D
- 1980 – Olympic Games, Moskau RUS – Olympic Champion-D
- 1983 – European Championships, Achen GER – 10th Place-D
- 1984 – Olympic Games, Los Angeles USA – 11th Place-D
- 1992 – Olympic Games, Barcelona ESP – 8th Place-D
- 1994 – World Equestrian Games, Den Haag NED – 12th Place-D
- 6 x National Champion AUT
Professional Background & Awards
- Co-ownership Plasser-Theurer GmbH, the world market leading company for track construction machines, exporting products into over 100 countries.
- Since 2009: Owner and operator of the facility stud farm Vorwerk (GER) as a result of a special interest in breeding
- Since 1990’s: Tournament organizer and host of several well-known int. CDI**** shows in Achleiten (AUT) and Cappeln (GER)
- 1996: Gold medal for services of the Republic of Austria
- 2005: Reitmeister “riding master”
- 2010: Sports consultant awarded by the state of Upper Austria
Съдия / Judge
Barbara Ardu
(ITA)
Barbara Ardu is a 4*/YH international Dressage FEI judge from Italy.
I am cooperating for Italian equestrian federation since more than 30 years, first of all as responsible of dressage department, now as technical director of education area and project manager.
I began my national judge career in in 1987, and
In 1996 I became FEI judge. I judged in 8 European pony, junior and young riders championships, three times in Balkan Championships.
Horses are part of my life, my hobby, my sport, my work and my passion.
Съдия / Judge
Maja Stukelj
(SLO)
Maja Stukelj is a 4*/YH international Dressage FEI judge from Slovenia.
I was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia. I started riding in 1970. My first competitions were show jumping and a few dressage events. I graduated from the controversial University of Ljubljana majoring in equestrian sports.
In 1978 I started judging National Show Jumping Competitions.
In 1980, I started working at the Horse Base in Lipitza, working with some of the best dressage trainers, Mr. Georg Wall. Working with him left a big mark on my future philosophy in working with horses.
In 1985 I completed the final judging levels from 1st to 3rd and graduated as a national show jumping and dressage judge.
In 1996 I became a 3* international Judge in show jumping and dressage, and in 2000 a 4* international Judge.
So far, I have judged over 150 international tournaments in various categories, including Balkan Championships, SEA Games, European Championships for ponies, children, juniors, young riders and championships for young horses.
Since 2011 I have been a technical delegate of the FEI.
Since 2015, I have been part of the FEI training team and train judges in Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, etc.
Съдия / Judge
Karen Pavicic
(CRO)
Karen Pavicic is a 3*/YH international Dressage FEI judge from Croatia.
Karen Pavicic is an elite equestrian who has proudly represented her country at many prominent, International tournaments for three decades. In 2017 she changed her sports nationality from Canadian to Croatian. Karen continues to expand her impressive record of successes on the world stage including qualifying for the World Equestrian Games in 2022 and the 2025 European Championships with her current Grand Prix horse Totem.
Karen is also an Equine Canada Level III (High Performance 1) Coach, International FEI 3* (Level 2) Judge, International FEI 3* (Level 2) Para Judge and FEI Young Horse Judge.
BALKAN DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 – STEWARD TEAM
Chief Steward
Angele Svoronou
(GRE)
Angele Svoronou is a 3* international Dressage FEI steward from Greece.
She is a FEI Steward Dressage 2* (since 2002), FEI Steward Jumping 3*,
FEI Steward Endurance 2*, FEI Judge Jumping 3*. Chief Steward at the Dressage Balkan Equestrian Championships (Seniors, Young Riders, Juniors and Children),
Markopoulo GRE, 16-19 September 2021. Chief Steward at the Greek National Dressage Championships 2020 (23-27/9/2020) and 2021 (28/07-01/08/2021).
From 2001 to 2008 Deputy of the Secretary of the Balkan Equestrian Championships (BEC)
She is speaking Greek, Français and English.
Steward
Anastasia
Matsinopoulou
(GRE)
Anastasia Matsinopoulou is a 2* international Dressage FEI steward from Greece.
I’m a National Dressage Judge since 1999 and FEI steward since 2004.
I was involved as assistant Steward or Chief Steward in all Greek Championships and Balkan Championships that took place in Greece.
Ιn September 2022 I was Assistant Chief Steward at the Balkan Equestrian Dressage Championships, that took place in Romania.
Steward
Bilun Biber
(TUR)
Bilun Biber is a 2* international Dressage FEI steward from Turkey.
An experienced FEI Steward, H. Bilun Biber has had a distinguished career in international dressage and para-dressage officiating. Since 2017, she has served as an FEI Official, ensuring compliance with FEI regulations, safeguarding horse welfare, and upholding fair competition at prestigious events worldwide.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Biber has officiated at numerous international dressage events, including the 2024 İstanbul Balkan and 2019 Lipica Balkan Dressage Championships. She has also played a key role in officiating major events such as the FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Leipzig, as well as various dressage tournaments across Europe and Asia.
As the former Secretary General of the Turkish Equestrian Federation, Mrs. Biber led strategic initiatives for the development of equestrian sports, promoting sustainability, gender equality, and fostering collaboration with international governing bodies. In 2024, she was selected to participate in the Women’s Sport Leadership Academy (WSLA), a prestigious program supported by the Turkish National Olympic Committee, aimed at empowering women in sports leadership.
With over 30 years of experience in equestrian sports, Mrs. Biber holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). She has made significant contributions to the growth and governance of equestrian disciplines at both national and international levels.
Steward
Deniz Halide
Erdil
(TUR)
Deniz Halide Erdil is a 1* international Dressage FEI steward from Turkey.
Deniz Halide Erdil is a Level 1 international dressage steward accredited by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI). She has been part of the stewarding team at numerous international competitions across the Balkan region. In September 2024, Deniz will join the assistant steward team at the Balkan Dressage Championship in Istanbul. She is also a Level 1 international judge and a Level 2 international steward in the show jumping discipline.
Seward
Ivanka Mincheva
(BUL)
Ivanka Mincheva is a 1* international Dressage FEI steward from Bulgaria.
“I met and fell in love with horses at the age of 18. Since then I have been a competitor, assistant cource designer, judge in show jumping. I have been a national steward in show jumping and dressage for 20 years since 2018. From this year I`m is International FEI Steward in two discipline International Steward Level 2 Show Jumping and International Steward Level 1 Dressage.”