The French Equestrian Federation (FFE) has selected the riders for the dressage team that will represent France on home turf at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The French selection process has been particularly strenuous with team candidates having been fielded show after show at big competitions (FEI nations cups in Compiegne, Rotterdam and Aachen) as well as others to collect scores and prove their worth.
Committees and Councils
For the nomination FFE President Serge Lecomte brought together on 1 July an Olympic and Paralympic Selection Council.
This council met before the Olympic and Paralympic selection advisory committees with knowledge of the latest competition results and information. The council heard the national selectors that explained their selection process and their recommendations for the combinations they want to represent France at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The council includes Serge Lecomte (FFE President), Frédéric Morand (FFE Vice-president), Christian Paillot (former FFE Vice-President), Richard Corde (Veterinarian), Sophie Dubourg (Technical Director and Head of Mission for the 2024 Olympic Games), and Frédéric Bouix (General FFE Delegate). For dressage they heard dressage experts Lionel Dutranoy (judge), Marina Caplain Saint-André (former team rider and trainer), Odile Van Doorn (trainer, former member of the FFE Federal Committee), Jean Morel (team trainer), and Laurent Gallice (team captain).
For para dressage the experts consulted were Jean-Claude Leterrier, Patricia Noyer and team captain Fanny Delaval.
Selected Team
The dressage team that has been selected includes:
- Pauline Basquin - Sertorius de Rima Z
- Corentin Pottier - Gotilas
- Alexandre Ayache - Jolene
The reserve is Anne Sophie Serre on Jibraltar de Massa.
"We have focused on the three combinations who have shown the most consistency with good results over the last two years," said team trainer Jean Morel. "We are keen to form a real team spirit because we know that we will only be able to perform if everyone gives 100% for the team. We will have to give our all without taking unnecessary risks to hope to enter the team final. We are proud of this team and we are keen to show the good work that has been done in recent years with the French team. This selection was validated on July 1st by the selection council who listened to us and with whom we had very interesting and constructive discussions."
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2024 Olympic Games