Dutch team trainer Sjef Janssen has made his decision on the composition of the Dutch team that will compete at the 2012 CDIO Rotterdam, a show designated as the second Dutch Olympic observation trial. While team candidates have to prove their worth in the 5* competition, the world's number one Adelinde Cornelissen will return to the show scene at a national show at the end of the month.
Janssen was given the challenging task to compose a potential version of a Dutch Olympic team for the CDIO Nations' Cup in Rotterdam on 20 - 24 June 2012. At the first Dutch Olympic selection trial at the National Championships in Hoofddorp, many riders disappointed in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special and were unable to show their usual level due to extreme weather conditions.
In Rotterdam Janssen hopes to see the best from the following team riders
- Edward Gal - Undercover
- Hans Peter Minderhoud - Tango
- Imke Schellekens - Toots
- Anky van Grunsven - Salinero
The Rottedam CDIO Grand Prix will be spread out over two days because of the huge entry field. Teams from nine countries (such as Denmark, Great Britain, Sweden and Switzerland) are competing. In the Rotterdam CDI tour, selectors will keep their eyes open for Hans Peter Minderhoud (Donna Silver), Patrick van der Meer (Uzzo) and Marlies van Baalen (Miciano).
Team coach Janssen is considering to use the CDIO Aachen at the beginning of July as an extra observation trial in case he remains unclear about the potential team.
The absence of the world's number one Adelinde Cornelissen from the Dutch Olympic selection trials have been a major issue of worry in The Netherlands, especially because Parzival has been having fitness issues after a long break since the 2012 World Cup Finals, where the chestnut gelding struggled to pass the vet check. Initially Cornelissen was asked to compete Parzival at the CDIO Aachen, but strategically this would not be the smartest move prior to the Games. Adelinde has now been ordered to show form at the national show in Ermelo on 30 June 2012.
"In agreement with Sjef Janssen it has been decided (by the Dutch Federation) that the number one combination of the world ranking participates in the subtop competition in Ermelo on 30 June in order to be considered for selection for London," the press officer of the Dutch equestrian federation stated.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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