Cyprus to make historic equestrian debut at Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games

Cyprus will compete in equestrian sports at the Mediterranean Games for the first time in the nation's history. The Cyprus Olympic Committee confirmed that professional athlete Alexa Stais has been selected to represent the country at the 20th Mediterranean Games, scheduled to be held in Taranto, Italy, in 2026.

Stais, who currently competes professionally in Germany, will participate in the show jumping event alongside her nine-year-old mare, Kantu. According to the International Equestrian Federation's official schedule, the competition begins on August 30, 2026, with the team final serving as a qualifier for the individual event, which is set for September 1. Stais, who has deep ties to Cyprus through her grandfather, previously represented the nation at the 2025 European Championships and aims to contend for a medal in Italy.

Antonis Petri, president of the Cyprus Equestrian Federation, hailed the decision as a major milestone for the development and visibility of the sport within the country. While the primary goal is a respectable performance, the federation views this participation as a significant opportunity to promote equestrianism on the international stage and build on the sport's recent growth in Cyprus.