The Dutch equestrian federation has named the Olympic long listed combinations that are in the running for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Dutch team captain Patrick van der Meer has made a more than surprising list as it contains more than a handful of horses that have not competed internationally in one or two years time due injury and other reasons.
"Of course during the season combinations will have to show form and fulfil certain qualification criteria," the KNHS posted. The team observation/selection trials are the Dutch Championships and CDIO Rotterdam.
Come Back Kids
The big surprise on the list is Edward Gal and his 2021 Tokyo Olympic ride Total US. The rider announced a one year-sabbatical from competition in April 2022 but it has run through 2023. He has not been back to the show ring but has been actively coaching students. Total US is rumoured to have been injured, but apparently back in full training. Any news on the horse and rider's status appears top secret as not even the Dutch media have reported on it.
Further horses, who have been absent for almost or more than one year and that are long listed, are Governor (last CDI in September 2021), Desperado (January 2023), Foundation RR (February 2023), and Hermes (April 2023).
New Comers
The long list was drafted by Van Der Meer and the KNHS technical staff based on observations at team training sessions, home visits, and national (as well as international) show results.
The list also contains the name of two horses who are to turn 8 in 2024: they are Dante US and Hexagon's Luxuriouzz. The black Dante US (by Dante Weltino) competed at small tour level in 2023 under Diederik van Silfhout, while the chestnut Hexagon's Luxuriouzz (by Johnson x San Remo) competed at the 2023 World Young Horse Championships in the 7-year old division in the summer and already did his first Intermediare II test under Thamar Zweistra on 4 January 2024. These horse officially turn 8 on 1 January 2024 but their actual 8th birthday is in the spring.
Also listed is the 9-year old Taminau who competed at small tour level in 2023 and is yet to make his big tour debut.
Dutch Olympic Long List
The long listed pairs are:
- Marlies van Baalen - Habibi DVB and Go Legend
- Kirsten Brouwer - Foundation
- Adelinde Cornelissen - Governor
- Devenda Dijkstra - Hero
- Edward Gal - Total US
- Dinja van Liere - Hermes , Hartsuijker, and Vita di Lusso
- Lynne Maas - Electra
- Hans Peter Minderhoud - Invictus and Taminiau
- Denise Nekeman - Boston Sth
- Marieke van der Putten - Torveslettens Titanium and Zum Gluck
- Emmelie Scholtens - Desperado, Indian Rock and Glory Days
- Diederik van Silfhout - Dante US
- Thamar Zweistra - Hexagon's Ich Weiss and Hexagon’s Luxuriouzz
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2024 Olympic Games
Patrick van der Meer Appointed Dutch Team Captain Alongside Van Silfhout