Malta will host the European Trotting Championship for Apprentice Drivers on October 29 at the Malta Equidrome Complex in Marsa.

It is the first time in 23 years that Malta will compete in the championship, which brings together drivers aged under 25 who are aiming to become professional trotting drivers in the near future. 

Besides Maltese driver Jean Claude Pace, there will be 12 other participating apprentice drivers competing in the championship representing Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden.

Minister Clifton Grima announcing the event.

When Malta last competed in 2000, it won the championship through driver Tony Cauchi.

Now in its 37th edition, the championship began in 1986. It is the third time it will be held in Malta and the first since 1995. 

Details about the upcoming event were announced last week by the Malta Racing Club in the presence of Sports Minister Clifton Grima, EquestriMalta Chairman John Huber and CEO Max Zammit. 

The Malta Racing Club, which organises horse races in the country, is regulated by EquestriMalta.

“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 authority EquestriMalta, this government is giving more importance to trotting and equestrian sports,” said Grima.

Among the attendees will be the President of the European Trotting Union, Marjaana Alaviuhkola, along with other members of the executive. Representatives from various European associations will also attend. 

Malta Racing Club chairman Anthony Mifsud said he was delighted to see the championship back in Malta and said this was thanks to the positive relationship that exists today between the Malta Racing Club and the European Trotting Union.