Tryon 2018: German and Dutch riders named

The two biggest threats to Great Britain’s dominance in the team competition at the 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG) – Germany and the Netherlands – have announced their teams.

The Netherlands team for next month's event in Tryon, USA, is headlined by a host of world and European champions. Reigning world, European, and Paralympic grade IV freestyle champion Sanne Voets will be on Demantur; European champion, and world and Paralympic grade V medallist Frank Hosmar will ride Alphaville N.O.P. They are joined by defending world grade III champion Rixt Van Der Horst on Findsley, while European and world grade II medallist Nicole Den Dulk completes the line-up on Wallace N.O.P.

Germany’s team is a mix of old favourites and newcomers. European and Paralympic medallist Steffen Zeibig will compete on Feel Good in grade III. European medallist Elke Philipp and Regaliz in grade I; London 2012 medallist Angelika Trabert and Diamonds Shine in grade III; and newcomer Regine Mispelkamp on Look at me Now in grade V also secured their tickets to Tryon.

Having not competed at top international since 2015’s Europeans, Trabert said on her Facebook page: “A dream comes true. We are proud to represent Germany at WEG!”

Great Britain has never lost in the team competition on the European, world or Paralympic stage, with Germany and Netherlands often taking second and third place between them. This year, however, Team GB enters the WEG without one of its powerhouse riders, grade I’s Sophie Christiansen, who withdrew herself from contention to continue developing her relationship with her new horse, Amazing Romance.