At the press conference at the brand new accommodation of the CHIO Rotterdam the focus of today was the FEI Dressage Championships that are here from 17 to occur.
The entire Dutch team, just returned from the finale observation in England's Hickstead, was present and brimming with militancy. “That this European Championship at home is held in a place where dressage always has a prominent place in the program may be an extra incentive for the Dutch team,” Frans Lavooij, chairman of the organizing committee said.
The team that will start in Rotterdam includes: Adelinde Cornelissen with Jerich Parzival, Edward Gal with Sisther de Jeu, Hans Peter Minderhoud with Exquis Nadine and Sander Marijnissen with Moedwil. “This is the strongest team that we currently have,” said coach Sjef Janssen.
Frans Lavooij, chairman of the organizing committee looks as excited as the Dutch athletes at the FEI Dressage Championships. “About two weeks the first horses arrived here. Those horses and their riders are the very best in Europe, maybe even the world and are all very talented. I believe that a championship has never been so thrilling “said Lavooij. “We are extremely proud to present this championship in close cooperation with the KNHS, the municipality of Rotterdam, Rotterdam Topsport and with support from Rabobank.”
Cornelissen: “We have a good season so far. We won the World Cup finals in Leipzig and in Aachen was Jerich Parzival in the Grand Prix very relaxing. So relaxed that I actually forgot to ride. Now you say stupid, but in the past it was always necessary to be alert and one hundred percent in control and now having full control surprised me. Hickstead was the Saturday a lot better and I could from that relaxation therefore go all the way, whatever resulted in a 2nd place. Over the next three weeks Sjef and I are going to exploit the progress that still can be achieved”.
Hans Peter Minderhoud, who at Outdoor Gelderland won the Dutch title with the KWPN stallion IPSTango, after consultation with the Sjef Janssen has chosen for Exquis Nadine to start in the European Championship “Nadine performed in Aachen in the extra Grand Prix very good. We closed the Freestyle even triumphantly. With IPS Tango seems like sometimes there is a motivation problem. It's a stallion, as in the National Championships, with lots of expression and show, but sometimes he burned his expression before the actual work is yet to begin. Additionally, with such a glittering career like Exquis Nadine it would be a shame not to use her. ”
Edward Gal, gets the impressive mare Sisther the Jeu under control. “It's certainly not the easiest horse that I've managed to reach this level with. The tension also ensures that her moves are very expressive. So you need something to control that tension. This is getting better each timer and I hope we here in Rotterdam can put a crown on our work. ”
After the Grand Prix at Hickstead was decided who the fourth member of the Dutch team would be; Sander Marijnissen with Moedwil. “We have passed in the Grand Prix at Hickstead as 6th and this convinced Sjef. It's the first time I will participate in a European Championship as a senior and this is a dream come true. During the Dutch Championships, I was shortly behind Marlies van Baalen after two tests. My horse Moedwil on Sunday morning was suffering from a slight temperature increase and that was why I decided to withdraw. Now Moedwil is very fit and we will do our best here in Rotterdam to put down a great performance in this beautiful property. ”
“Sjef Janssen admitted that it seems to be impossible in Rotterdam to repeat the success of La Mandria 2007 Orange and Windsor 2009. There the Netherlands did not only won team, but also the necessary individual medals. “We are all three parts defending champion and still have a strong team. We also have highly motivated riders. That, coupled with the fact that we ride in a hopefully sold and orange colored arena, should enable us to be strong win some medals in this home battle (team and individual). ”