Francis Verbeek's Contract for Spanish Team Trainer Position Not Extended

Dressage

Spain

The Spanish equestrian federation has not extended its contract with team trainer Francis Verbeek beyond the 2024 Olympic Games.

Negotiations about an extension fell silent in the autumn and with no answer provided by the federation by the deadline of 31 December 2024, Verbeek declared she is no longer available for the position.

Francis Verbeek

Dutch 5* dressage judge Francis Verbeek joined the technical staff of the Spanish Equestrian Federation (RFHE) at the start of 2022.

She succeeded Spanish team trainer Rudolf Zeilinger and worked under the direction of RFHE Technical Dressage Director Miguel Jorda.

While it was initially announced that she would be the "team manager" Verbeek took up a team trainer role, focusing on training combinations in team sessions as well as privately at home.

Spanish Dressage 2022 - 2024

During the three years that she functioned in this role, Spanish dressage sent teams to the 2022 World Championships, 2023 European Championships and 2024 Olympic Games.

Miguel Jorda and Francis Verbeek celebrating
Spanish Nations' Cup success at the 2022 CDIO
Compiegne

At the 2022 World Championships a unique feat took place as the Spanish team was made up of three PRE horses. The team finished seventh in Herning. The best performance came from Alejandro Sánchez Del Barco on PRE Quincallo De Indalo who placed 14th in the Kur.

At the 2023 European Championships Spain dropped to a 9th place in the team ranking. None made it into the Kur Finals as Sanchez and Quincallo stranded on 25th place in the Special. They were the only Spanish pair to make it into the Special.

At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris Spain had to rely last minute on its team reserve as Malagueño (Jose Daniel Martin Dockx) was not fit to compete. Spain did not even make it into the team final (Grand Prix Special) nor the individual final (Kur to Music). The best scoring Spanish pair in Paris was Borja Carrascosa on Frizzantino with 70.823%.

Future Team Captain?

Eurodressage inquired with Technical director Miguel Jorda but did not receive a reply. In his stead Venancio Garcia Ovies, RFHE secretary-general, replied.

"Her contract ends at the end of this year and due to the electoral process in which the Spanish federation is involved, it is not possible for us to take measures on new contracts until this is ended, approximately March, as we have explained her," Garcia told Eurodressage. "We understand her decision to search for new challenges."

Verbeek did not reply to Eurodressage's enquiry.