Two high scoring Dutch dressage horses have been withdrawn from competing at the 2021 CDIO Rotterdam, the second and last Dutch Olympic team selection trial: Zonik and Governor.
Zonik
Only weeks after becoming a new combination this spring 2021, Hans Peter Minderhoud achieved his MER scores on the 13-year old Danish warmblood stallion Zonik (by Zack x Romanov) at the CDIO Compiegne and at the final MER score show, Le Mans, on 17 - 20 June 2021.
The pair was supposed to ride in front of Dutch team trainer and selector Alex van Silfhout in Rotterdam, where the final observation for Olympic team selection will take place. Zonik, however, has been withdrawn. "Unfortunately he has an abscess on a hoof and we have to give him time," the Glock team stated. Minderhoud still has his number one, Dream Boy, in the running for team selection.
Governor
After a successful competition start this 2021 season, Adelinde Cornelissen and the 10-year old KWPN stallion Governor (by Totilas x Jazz) produced promising team hopeful scores in Opglabbeek (74.978%) and Exloo (74.652%). However at the first Dutch Olympic selection trial in Ermelo (Dutch Championships), the combination did not appear as fit and fresh in the first round, scoring 71.872% in the GP Special, and placing 8th in the Kur.
Cornelissen, who was a member of the Dutch team at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, withdrew Governor from the second Olympic trial in Rotterdam, citing a colic as reason for withdrawal.
"Last weekend Governor had a colic," Cornelissen wrote on social media. "Fortunately he's feeling well again, but it wouldn't be fair or clever to expect a top performance from him. First he needs to recover a bit."
Photo © Astrid Appels
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