Houtvast Out, Rosalie Mol on Dutch Team for 2013 European Young Riders Championships

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2013 European Junior and Young Riders Championships

Long-time Dutch team member Danielle Houtvast has been forced to withdraw from the Dutch team that will be competing at the 2013 European Young Riders Championships in Compiegne, France, next week. Her horse Rambo sustained a minor injury last Sunday.

"He probably twisted his foot and it strained the ligaments of the coffin joint," Houtvast told Eurodressage. "It takes a couple of weeks to heal so he wouldn't be fit on time for the European Championships."

Houtvast also announced the end of her partnership with the 15-year old Dutch warmblood gelding by Gribaldi x Amor. The 2013 European Championships would have been their last show together.

"It would have been my last year at Young Riders and now I'm going to focus on the (U25) Future Test," Houtvast explained about not taking on Rambo to Grand Prix level, which is too challenging for him. "We haven't decided yet what we are going to do, but he'll probably be retired."

Houtvast and Rambo were a fixture on the Dutch junior and young riders' team. Their career highlight was winning double bronze at the 2010 European Junior Riders Championships in Kronberg.

As a young horse Rambo was competed by Hans Peter Minderhoud. The pair finished fourth in the 2003 Pavo Cup semi-finals and 10th at the 2004 World Young Horse Championships in Verden.

Houtvast's place on the Dutch team will be taken by first reserve Rosalie Mol on Legend (by Likoto xx). The Dutch junior and young riders are currently in Vorden, The Netherlands, for a two-day training before leaving for Compiegne on the weekend.