The French Equestrian Federation (FFE) unveiled, on Friday June 9, “the long lists of riders and horses including the couples who will represent France at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games». One year from the announcement of the final tricolor selection, 28 couples of riders and horses were thus selected by the federal team of sports supervision for “facilitate and professionalize the preparation and support their rise to power until the Games”, explains the FFE in a press release.
In Paris, the twelve riders who will form the French team will want to shine in front of their public and erase the bad memory of the Tokyo Games in 2021. The Blues had only won bronze in the team eventing. «There had been an unexpected elimination, in the back row, when we were favorites in show jumping (show jumping, editor’s note) »remembers Sophie Dubourg, who will experience her third Olympiad as National Technical Director (DTN).
Two medals expected in team competition
In Versailles, where the equestrian competitions will take place at the next Paris Games, two medals are – at least – hoped for in the three Olympic disciplines (dressage, show jumping and eventing). Sophie Dubourg bases her main hopes on eventing and show jumping.
«We have the ambition to win a medal in the team events – which are the most promising competitions for a nation – in these two disciplines. Individually, it is too early to make any progress, but we have strong couples in show jumping in particular, who will have their say. » In this category, three riders are among the ten best in the world. Julien Épaillard, the world number 2, Kevin Staut and Simon Delestre on Cayman Jolly Jumper, «a world crack”, according to the DTN, have the potential to reach the podium.
In dressage, ambitions are lower «nowadays “, she nuances. «Our desire is to at least reach the final, that is to say to be among the eight best teams. Which will already be a significant performance, because our couples are still young. » As for the Paralympics, a nice surprise in individual is not ruled out in para-dressage. In this category, Lisa Cez, Céline Gerny, Anne-Frédérique Royon, Vladimir Vinchon or Chiara Zenati, the youngest of the Blues, showed great dispositions.
Next step: the European Championships
The tricolor riders still have several months of preparation, during which they will have to refine the bond maintained with their mount. Several gatherings in most disciplines, with the exception of show jumping – due to the very tight calendar of world competitions – are planned in the 400 hectares of the impressive federal equestrian park of Lamotte-Beuvron (Loir-et- Cher), the equivalent of Clairefontaine or Marcoussis for football and rugby.
Until then, important deadlines will give an overview of the rise of the Blues, who will challenge the world elite (Germany, Netherlands, Scandinavian countries, Great Britain, United States, Brazil, etc.) in the final of the Show Jumping Nations Cup at the end of September, which will be preceded by the European Championships in August.
