Netherlands Dominates Dressage Championship in France

The Netherlands swept the medals table at the Para-Equestrian Dressage Open in Mulhouse, France, at the weekend closely followed by Belgium and France who came second and third over all respectively.

The competition, which is in its third year, saw 12 nations taking part from 17-19 June.

Notable performances came from the Netherlands’ Frank Hosmar and Belgium’s Michele George who battled it out in the Grade IV events. George came first in the Freestyle and Team Tests, while Hosmar won top spot in the Individual Test. The Netherlands’ Petra Van der Sande dominated the Grade II events, winning all three Tests.

The Brazilian duo of Sérgio Oliva and Vera Mazzilli won first and second place respectively in the IA Team Test event. Mazillia also picked up gold for the Individual Test.

"Sergio got 68.788 percent and Vera 66.588 percent, both winning spots on the podium in the Team Test event. They were both very good," said Marcela Parsons, Brazil’s co-ordinator of the sport.

After competing in France many of the riders will now head to the Championship Casorate Sempione (Italy), between 30 June and 3 July. Both competitions are qualifiers for the 2012 London Paralympics.