For the fourth time in Athens, the International Equestrian World Cup was held at the Olympic Equestrian Centre of Markopoulo. From the 5th to the 8th of October, the ultra-modern facilities of the Olympic Equestrian Centre hosted athletes and spectators from all over the world as well as an exceptional Horse Art exhibition.

"HORSE ART" in aid of the endangered Hellenic "hipparion", or "Skyros horse", contributed last year to the prestige of this high-standing event in the world of equestrianism. "Events such as the International Equestrian World Cup and the presentation of a unique and very rare Hellenic breed such as the Skyros horse, create the preconditions for the dynamic progression of this sport in our country", said Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the Hellenic Equestrian Federation.

During the event in 2005, hundreds of children were given the opportunity to meet or ride - for the first time ever - Skyros horses presented by the SILVA Project, a non-profit organisation based in Corfu, Greece. SILVA is committed to preserving and breeding the Skyros horse and also develops new equestrian activities for children and people with special needs. During the Equestrian World Cup this year (2006), HORSE ART, the aesthetic and educational branch of the SILVA Project, will again focus the attention of spectators, riders, officials, media representatives and sponsors from all over the world on this ancient Hellenic breed.

Thanks to the support of the Hellenic Equestrian Federation (E.O.I.) and the "Alpha Private Bank World Equestrian Cup", HORSE ART presented this year an exceptional collection of paintings, sculptures and art pictures created by twenty Greek, French, Belgian, Norwegian and American talented artists: Ioanna Asimenou, Gérald Buthaud, Christine Darboux, Yves Donnay, Laurent Frison, Françoise Gresse, Jon Olav Helle, Christiane Javaux, Rena Kana, Makis Konstandelakis, Michael Lawrence, Philippe Meyrier, Audrey Migeotte, Claudine Morsa, Martine Picard-Hélary, Georges Pennas, Eliana Prokopiou, Aliki A. Steen, Cherry Sweig, Ariane Thonon, Panagiotis Tountas. All artworks presented Skyros horses and their young riders in various styles and materials. During the exhibit, in addition to the original works, a variety of quality reproductions were for sale in the form of greeting cards, framed pictures and posters.

More tangibly, the Skyros horse is valued for the pleasure and inspiration it provides. Opinion polls show that concerns for endangered breeds and nature are strongly supported by European Union citizens. In this context, concern for the preservation of biodiversity is integral to sustainable development and underpins competitivity, growth and employment. Biodiversity objectives are, for example, integrated in the Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) and the EU Lisbon partnership for growth and jobs and in a wide range of EU environmental and sector policies.

However, securing endangered species and protected habitat requires greater commitment from EU Member States to propose, designate, protect and effectively manage protected sites. This involves building progressive partnerships between government, academia, conservation practitioners, NGO's, landowners and users, private sector, finance sector, educational sector and the media to frame solutions.

It involves building on existing provisions - e.g. under the EU Common Agriculture Policy and Common Fisheries Policy - and the development of new partnerships, including outside the EU.

In this respect, the SILVA Project is a pioneering NGO, since in addition to preserving and breeding a protected and endangered Hellenic breed, it also develops international partnerships and raises funds for the creation of a new international equestrian centre in Corfu. This specialised centre will also contribute to the development of the island and the creation of new jobs.

For more information about the new international equestrian centre in Corfu visit the website www.thesilvaproject.org.