Former European Pony Dressage Champion Birgitt van der Eyken has been appointed by the Dutch Equestrian Federation (NHS) as their new Dressage Pony Team Chef d'Equipe.
Taking over the command from O-judge Francis Verbeek-Van Rooij, Birgitt van der Eyken will be leading her first team to the 2001 European Pony Championships in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
Birgitt van der Eyken already served as assistent-chef d'equipe last year and her input was highly appreciated by the team members. Van der Eyken, who herself won the 1987 European Pony Championships on Norelja, has last been in the spotlight in 1999 when she won the World Championship for Young Dressage Horses on Roval Investment. In 2000, Van der Eyken presented her new Grand Prix horse Landioso at Prix St Georges-level. Much is expected from this combination.
Van der Eyken, who knows the pony business inside out, is expected to revitalize Dutch Pony Dressage. While the pony business florishes in Holland, none of the Dutch team members have lately been able to stand out at international competitions.
Image copyrighted: Arnd Bronkhorst