National teams confirmed after horse inspections at Exloo (NED)

It was a morning of febrile activity in the silvery sand arena at Exloo as 220 horses came forward for inspection.  Signalling the start of formalities, the four-in-hand squads gathered and patiently circled together, coats gleaming under a morning sun, before being pulled forward individually.

Using two lanes, each athlete presented five horses, so it was a lively scene set against two of the eight obstacles for Saturday’s marathon, which are in a prime spot for spectators.  Of the five horses that were sent to the holding area, three were subsequently passed as ‘fit to compete’ and two will be represented tomorrow.  After the spectacle of the exuberant four-in-hand horses, it was a more serene procession for the 25 Para Driving single horses and ponies, who all passed.

Starting orders and national teams have now been confirmed, although both Dutch teams were announced in advance.  With seven four-in-hand combinations to select from, German mainstays Mareike Harm and Michael Brauchle are joined by Anna Sandmann, who has seen some strong results this season. Hungary has six athletes in Exloo and have chosen a lineup of Jόzsef Dobrovitz, János Papp and István Váczi.  Also in the team event are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France and Sweden.  

Germany’s former Grade 1 world champion Heiner Lehrter, who has competed at every Para Driving World Championship and even attended the 1998 test event in Hartbury (GBR), will be driving a chestnut German Sports Pony Dash Wood – ‘Woody’ – who belongs to his wife as his regular pony Nero is injured. 

He confessed to having some pre-competition nerves but said that if he didn’t have them, then he would give up!  He is joined on the team by Patricia Großerichter and Alexandra Röder, a previous Grade 2 silver medallist.  The British also had a depth of choice in their squad of five but have selected first timer Emily Ham to join Deborah Daniel and Mick Ward, who have both won bronze medals in the past.  Defending Grade 1 champion Tracy Bowman leads the team charge for the USA and is joined by veteran athlete Bob Giles, a fellow West Coast American, and Diane Kastama, who are also both previous medallists. 

“I can’t wait to get on with the competition and give it a really good go! I’m looking forward to defending my title here with my pony Lars at this fabulous facility in Exloo. I’m also excited to be paired with Bram Chardon (NED) for the Hand-in-Hand event.”

Tracy Bowman (USA)

The FEI’s Hand-in-Hand Trophy listing has also been announced with 19 pairs of athletes competing, some from the same national squads and others mixed up, which will be an exciting addition to the event. 

The two days of Dressage start on Thursday morning at 08.45 with a test driver, then the competition itself gets underway with both Grade 1 and 2 Para Driving classes, with Henriette Cros Dich of Denmark, going through until 13.30.  There are two sessions of four-in-hand Dressage in the afternoon, with Dutch individual Harry Struetker first to go at 14.30.

All times CEST:
 
Thursday 24 August
09.00 - Para Dressage
14.30 - Four-in-Hand Dressage Part 1
 
Friday 25 August
10.00 - Four-in-Hand Dressage Part 2
 
Saturday 26 August
10.00 am - Marathon
 
Sunday 27 August
10.00 - Cones
16.30 - Award Ceremony
 
Live broadcast of the event is on FEI TV