Four Combinations Named on the "A Cheval Pour Paris" Olympic Team List

Dressage

France

The French Federation (FFE) has named four dressage combinations which are included on a "A Cheval Pour Paris" Olympic list.

A year ago the FFE started a plan called "A Cheval Pour Paris" aimed at supporting and preparing combinations for the Olympics in the best way.

Sophie Dubourg, FFE technical director and her staff, announced the first version of the lists of riders up for selection in all four Olympic disciplines. While a big list for eventing (12) and show jumping (13) has been announced, the dressage list only has 4 pairs named and para dressage got 6 put on the list

Team Taking Shape

Dubourg stated that "the sport results and health of the horses are two essential criteria in our choices. The third criterion is the support of the rider, the owners of his horse and his entourage and the Olympic and Paralympic project. It is essential for us to have team cohesion in the broad sense with all stakeholders to be able to perform at Versailles.”

Dubourg continued, "there are still adjustments and some confirmations to be obtained. We are not stopping from integrating more combinations in the coming weeks, but we are starting to see things more clearly for the selections. There are still benchmark competitions in all disciplines before making the final choice for the selections. These competitions will aim to continue to prepare the couples so that they reach their peak form in July.

Questions from Eurodressage with an explanation what this list actually list - a first version of a nominative short list? a list indicating their first four favoured riders? - remained unanswered. Eurodressage mailed both Dubourg and Dressage team trainer Jean Morel multiple times, but did not receive a reply.

Listed Dressage Pairs

The four listed dressage combinations are:

Alexandre Ayache and Holmevangs Jolene, owned by Abdulkarim Barake and his rider.
Pauline Basquin and Sertorius de Rima Z, owned by IFCE
Corentin Pottier and Gotilas du Feuillard, owned by Maryse and Hervé Pottier.
Arnaud Serre and James Bond de Massa, owned by Françoise Niclaus and Isabelle Douce

The six listed para dressage pairs are:

Lisa Cez and Stallone de Hus, owned by Jérôme Cez, Marylène Cez and the rider. Grade V
Céline Gerny and Korsgaards Toledo, owned by IFCE. Grade II
Alexia Pittier and Sultan, owned by Sylvie Pittier, Arthur Boutron and the rider. Grade IV
Marie Vonderheyden and Bombastic d'Arion, owned by Cecile Vonderheyden and the rider. Grade I
Vladimir Vinchon and Pégase Mayenne, owned by Maud Vinchon and the rider. Grade IV
Chiara Zenati and Swing Royal*IFCE, owned by IFCE - Grade III

Strikingly absent from the list is Morgan Barbançon with Haban Libre A, who is currently suspended.

What's Next?

French team trainer and selector Jean Morel at the
2024 CDIO Compiegne

The FFE further posted that "At the end of June we will give a nominative list with a maximum of 12 pairs per discipline, i.e. three times the quotas. At this same time, all horses up for selection will benefit from a complete veterinary check-up to ensure their perfect physical condition. Each coach, in consultation with the staff, will then establish a selection of four couples that I will propose to the president of the FFE Serge Lecomte. Once this selection has been validated, I will present it concretely to the CNOSF on Friday July 5 during the advisory commission for the Olympic selections and on Tuesday July 9 to the CPSF selection commission."