The Netherlands, Belgium name para-equestrian teams for Deauville

“It was not an easy decision, picking this team. My riders had a good season with great international results and I am looking forward to see them compete at the Europeans."

Two of the biggest names in para-equestrian will renew their rivalry at the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) European Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships, which run 17-20 September in Deauville, France.

In the grade IV competition, double-world and Paralympic gold medallist Michele George of Belgium (riding Saganne and Sagaminne) will face European silver medallist and Paralympic and world bronze medallist Frank Hosmar of the Netherlands (riding Alphaville NOP).

George and Hosmar are just some of the top names announced by the Dutch and Belgian equestrian federations who will represent their country in Deauville. Each country has only up to five riders they can name to their European Championships squad.

In grade Ia, Belgium’s Eveline Van Looveren will compete on Exelent. Her teammate Jose Lorquet – the 2005 European Champion – will ride Fidelgo Van Het Hagehof in the grade Ib competition. Lorquet will be challenged by the Netherlands’ Nicole Den Dulk, who won double bronze at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The Netherlands will also look for success in Rixt Van Der Horst on Uniek NOP. Van Der Horst won two golds at London 2012 and has been on top form in the international competitions she has competed in this year. In her grade II, Van Der Horst will compete against Belgium’s Barbara Minneci on Gypsy Cob Barilla.

Deauville will see another reigning world and European champion, as Dutch rider Sanne Voets look to defend her freestyle title in the grade III. The current world and European silver medallist in the individual test (behind Germany’s Hannelore Brenner), Voets will be out to turn silver to gold in Deauville.

Dutch rider Sabine Peters will compete in the grade IV, on Carolus Magnus.

Joyce Heuitink, Chef D’Equipe of the Netherlands’ team said: “It was not an easy decision, picking this team. My riders had a good season with great international results and I am looking forward to see them compete at the Europeans.

“The team has a lot of experience at this level, and I am hoping for a team medal, like at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games last year, and nice individual results. But the main focus is using the competition as preparation for Rio 2016.”

2015 FEI European Para-Equestrian Dressage Championship teams for the Netherlands and Belgium:

The Netherlands

Nicole Den Dulk – grade Ib

Rixt Van Der Horst – grade II

Sanne Voets – grade III

Frank Hosmar – grade IV

Sabine Peters – grade IV

Belgium

Eveline Van Looveren – grade Ia

Jose Lorquet – grade Ib

Barbara Minneci – grade II

Michele George – grade IV