Dutch junior rider Feline Niesen is out of contention for Dutch team consideration for the 2026 European Championships. She had to withdraw her horse Quinn from the last team selection trial in Rotterdam.
Juniors with Quinn
Niessen competed on the Dutch team at the 2024 and 2025 European Pony Championships with palomino Diamond Blue. She made a seamless transition into the junior league in 2026 aboard the 13-year old KWPN gelding Quinn (by Dream Boy x San Remo).
The pair debuted internationally in October 2025 at the CDI Troisdorf for a win in the individual test. In 2026 they showed in Tolbert, Exloo and Lier. They won silver at the 2026 Dutch Junior Riders Championships at the end of May.
Suergery
They had set their sights on team consideration and were ready for the last trial in Rotterdam on 18 June 2026 when fate struck. The horse was diagnosed with an acute joint infection that required surgery.
"We were so ready for our last observation at the CHIO Rotterdam. Had a lovely ride the day before yesterday, but yesterday morning it was immediately clear that something was wrong," Niessen explained. "The European Championships, something I was so eager to achieve with Quinn because I knew he could do it, was suddenly gone. The thing I was "busy" about for so long was no longer a single priority."
Feline continued, "I’m extremely happy to say he’s doing better after surgery which is the most important thing but I’d be lying if I said I’m not extremely disappointed at the end of our season that started out so beautifully but so sad finished."
Photo © Astrid Appels
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