On paper, six countries were still eligible for three Olympic places at the European Championship. Difficult but not impossible.
And the Belgian combinations did very well. Belgian champion Larissa Pauluis received 73.106 percent from the jury for her Grand Prix with Flambeau. That’s a personal record. Belgian vice-champion Charlotte Defalque (Botticelli) also achieved her best outdoor performance ever in the Grand Prix with 71.072 percent.
And Belgium had a third rider with more than 70 points. Newcomer Flore De Winne (Flynn) rode to 70.404 percent. Never before has the Belgian dressage team managed to start with three riders who scored more than 70 percent in the Grand Prix. The scrap result came from Domien Michiels (Intermezzo van het Meerdaalhof) with 69.068 percent.
For example, Belgium came to a total of 214.582 percent. Good for place 8 and the second of three Olympic tickets. The first Olympic ticket went to Austria, which rode to a total of 216.119 percent. The other countries that finished ahead of Belgium were already certain of Paris 2024.
Team manager Jeroen Van Lent was emotional afterwards. “This is what you do it for,” it sounded. “After 13 years as team manager, it finally worked. This was exciting and emotional and by far the most beautiful moment for all riders. We made the impossible possible.”
Belgium will therefore go to Paris in the three equestrian disciplines. The jumping team and eventing team already qualified earlier.
2023-09-08 01:01:01
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