France’s Karen Tebar and Don Luis competing at the Rio Olympic Games.
© Eric Knoll
By Equestrian Life
The French Equestrian Federation have announced their 2019 Grand Prix dressage squads, which are divided into Group 1 and Group 2. It is from Group 1 that riders will be selected for the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam — an event where Olympic team qualification for Tokyo can be achieved.
The strict criteria for Group 1 requires riders to have scored more then 70% three times at a Grand Prix of CDI3* or higher, and one of these has to be abroad. These scores have to be achieved in a period of 12 months and the most recent score not older than 6 months. Only riders in Group 1 can compete at CDI4* and 5*, CDIO and CDI-W events.
To qualify for Group 2, combinations must achieve three scores of at least 68% or one score of at least 70% under the same event and time conditions as above.
The French federation believe 70-71% is the score likely to be required at Rotterdam to qualify for Tokyo, hence the strict squad criteria.
It was reported earlier this year that for European Championship team selection, riders have to have scored at least 71% once in a Grand Prix at the Western European League CDI-W, a CDI 5*/4*, or a CDIO. To be selected on the team for Tokyo (assuming France qualify a team), riders have to score at least 73% once in a Grand Prix in the 10 months prior to the Games.
The current groups are as follows, but these lists will be changing as new scores are achieved and old scores fall out of the required time periods. In short, consistent and recent performance is required to remain in the squads.
Notable absences include Marie Emilie Bretenoux and Quartz of Jazz, and Ludovic Henry and After You; neither met the specific criteria at the time of squad announcement.
Group 1
Morgan Barbançon Mestre – Sir Donnerhall II
Group 2
Morgan Barbançon Mestre – Bolero
Stephanie Brieussel – Amorak
Nicole Favereau – Ginsengue
Remy Issartel – Dark Pleasure
Bertrand Liegard – Star Wars
Anne Sophie Serre – Vistoso de Massa
Arnaud Serre – Ultrablue de Massa
Jean Philippe Siat – Lovesong
The French Equestrian Federation have the short term goal of sending a team to Rotterdam with the capabilities of qualifying for Tokyo, however their main long term goal is having a strong dressage team up and running by the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
France’s strict selection criteria follow on from their bombshell decision last August, when they opted not to send a team to the World Equestrian Games in the USA.
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