Corentin Pottier Declined to Ride on French Team

Dressage

France

The absence of French Olympian Corentin Pottier from the team for the 2025 European Dressage Champions on home turf in Crozet was duly noted.

No Outdoor Season This Year

After the Olympics Pottier and his number one, 14-year old KWPN gelding Gotilas (by Totilas x Ferro), returned to competition at the CDI Kronenberg Indoor on 29 - 30 November 2024.

One month later they began their World Cup race with starts in Mechelen, Neumunster, Gothenburg, and Motesice to qualify for the Finals in Basel. At the Finals on 4 - 5 April 2025, Gotilas struggled to pass the vet check and as reported on Pottier's instagram because there was "a small bruise under his hoof. This was confirmed as we found dried mud in the leather pad under his shoe, putting pressure on the sole." Gotilas the re-inspection and the pair went on to achieve career highlight results, placing fourth twice.

Gotilas has not shown at any international competition during the outdoor season since the Finals in Basel. He was entered for the CDI Jardy in June, but got withdrawn as Pottier was hospitalised with pneumonia.

Friction

Pottier took to Instagram to explain Gotilas' absence from competition and team selection.

"A few months after the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and after careful thought, we informed the president and technical director of the French Equestrian Federation we would abstain from all team competitions due to persistent disagreements and ongoing tensions with chef d’équipe and dressage technical director (i.e. Laurent Gallice, Jean Morel). Consequently, we have not applied for Nations’ Cup or Championship selections this year," Pottier stated.

Pottier continued, "of course, this is an immeasurable sacrifice for any athlete - especially one who makes a living out of sport, and a painful decision which was not taken lightly. However, our top priority is to keep horses and riders happy by competing in a friendly, healthy, transparent and fair environment."

This is not the first time that Pottier has rubbed with the technical staff of the French equestrian federation. He appealed his non-selection for the 2023 European Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck, but lost the case.