Debora Pijpers, Interim High Performance Director of Irish Para Dressage team

Ireland

Horse Sport Ireland announced the appointment of Debora Pijpers as Interim High Performance Director of the Irish Para Dressage team.

Debora Pijpers has extensive experience as a Dutch Dressage rider and coach and previously spent seven years at Dressuurstal Van Baalen – the stable of Dutch Olympians Coby and Marlies van Baalen, as a manager, rider and coach, before completing a Masters in Business Administration in September 2019.

As a rider, Debora has competed four horses up to Grand Prix U25 level and was a member of the Dutch team that won the gold medal at the 2013 European Championships for Young Riders in Compiègne (FRA) and has been a member of the Dutch Young Rider A-squad for three years.

As a coach, Debora has guided several national and international Youth and Para Dressage riders to success. Debora coached Grade III rider Demi Vermeulen to a bronze individual freestyle medal and a silver team medal at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy (FRA).

Two of Debora’s students, Glasten Krapels and Demi Vermeulen, were long-listed for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio (BRA). Demi earned a spot on the Dutch Olympic Para Dressage team for Rio and under the guidance of Debora Pijpers she won an individual silver medal a team bronze medal.

Debora Pijpers says she is thrilled to have been offered a role of Interim High Performance Director for the Irish Para Dressage team:

“I’m delighted to work together with these talented Irish Para Dressage combinations. I have seen a lot of potential in Keysoe [GBR international where several Irish Para Dressage riders competed] and I’m very much looking forward to working together with everyone involved in order to develop and expand from potential to performance.”

The 2020 Paralympic Games take place in Tokyo from August 25th to September 6th with all Para Dressage competitions taking place at Tokyo Equestrian Park.