After the Dutch team has undergone two replacements in three days time, a change has also taken place on Swedish team for the 2023 European Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck (GER) on 4 - 10 September 2023.
Team routiniers Juliette Ramel and her 17-year old Dutch warmblood gelding Buriel KH (by Osmium x Krack C) have withdrawn from participation. According to Swedish team captain Bo Jena, Buriel KH sustained an injury at his last show.
Ramel and Buriel have been fixtures on the Swedish team since the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, although they missed the 2017 European Championships in Gothenburg. They went to the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, 2019 Europeans in Rotterdam, 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the 2021 European Championships in Hagen, and 2022 World Equestrian Games in Herning, always reaching the Kur to Music finals in those past five (inter) continental championships.
This year Ramel only showed Buriel twice: first at the CDI Lier early March, where they placed second in the Grand Prix and Special, and then four months later at the CDI Kronenberg at the end of July, where they were second in the Grand Prix with 75.174% but withdrew from the Special.
Ramel's spot on the team has now been taken by the first reserve, Johanna Due Boje and the 15-year old Swedish mare Mazy Klovenhoj (by Bocelli x National Zenith xx).
"Although I’m very very sorry for Juliette who has to withdraw from her spot, I’m extremely excited and honoured about getting the chance to represent my country at a big Championship," Due Boje stated. "This has been a dream for so many years and the tears are falling down while I’m writing this because I’m so thankful for all the journeys Mazy is bringing me on. She’s the horse with the biggest heart and I can’t thank her owners enough that I got the ride on her 7 years ago!"
Due Boje will join Patrik Kittel (Touchdown or Forever Young HRH), Therese Nilshagen (Dante Weltino OLD), and Malin Wahlkamp-Nilsson (Bergsjöholms Valbonne) on the Swedish team.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Swedish Team Announced for 2023 European Dressage Championships
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2023 European Dressage Championships