Dutch Pony Chef d'Equipe Christa Laarakkers has announced the names of the pony riders that will represent The Netherlands at the 2008 European Pony Championships in Avenches, Switzerland, July 24-27, 2008.
The selection Dutch pony riders are:
- Danielle Houtvast - Domino
- Lotte Jansen - Oosteinds Rocco
- Antoinette Te Riele - Golden Girl or Danny Boy B
- Maria van den Dungen - Dino P
- Reserves:
- Rachell Fokker - Power and Paint
- Anne Meulendijks - Boticelli
- Maria van den Dungen - Pan Tau B
"Not only did we take the scores into consideration, but also the veterinary remarks on the ponies, their experience and their height," Christa Laarakkers said.
Van den Dungen and Te Riele are currently The Netherlands' best scoring pony riders and Lotte Jansen recently dominated the CDI-P Le Touquet. The fourth spot is taken by Danielle Houtvast (pictured left) who put in solid performances at, for instance, the CDI-P Beek and in the Imperial Riding Cup.
It is the first time in six years that German Reitpony stallion Power and Paint has not been selected on the core team for The Netherlands. Power has always been Holland's strongest pony, but he is no longer the top campaigner for Holland. Even though he's been getting consistent upper sixty percentage scores at CDI-P's in Europe with his now fourth rider, the 12-year old Rachell Fokker, Power has been nominated as reserve pony for the team.
Photos copyrighted: Astrid Appels
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