Pick of the Best!
San Patrignano 2005: Teams Set To Go
July 9, 2005
San Patrignano, Italy --- Only eleven days from the beginning of the 28th edition of the European Show Jumping Championship (to be held on the grounds of the community from July 21-24), the official announcement was made as to who would be competing. Twenty two nations will be present, while seventy one horse and rider teams are set to compete against reigning Champion Christian Ahlmann from Germany, who claimed the title in 1993 at Donaueschingen. In addition, sixteen countries are in the running for the team Championship, which will be decided on July 22nd. Needless to say, the Germans are a favourite here as well.
Each country’s federation has selected the horses and riders to compete, sparking interest of horse lovers everywhere. Ten nations (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Russia, Ucraine) have already made their final decisions, while the other twelve (Austria, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Norway, Holland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Hungary) have five riders listed. For those, we will have to wait until July 20th when the warm up rounds are held to determine the final four riders to compete in the Championship.
Surprisingly enough, one of Germay’s most well-know riders, Ludger Beerbaum was not among those chosen to compete. Third in the World ranking list, he is by many considered to be the quintessential horseman. The German team will be comprised of: Christian Ahlmann (ranked 9th worldwide), Otto Becker (8th), Marcus Ehning (5th), Marco Kutscher (10th), and Meredith Michaels- Beerbaum (4th). This decision is based on the condition of the horses as well as the riders.
San Patrignano has a cause for celebration today in light of the Italian Equestrian Federation’s decision to include Jerry Smit and Nadir on the team. The grey stallion was born and raised on the grounds of the Rimini-based community. After impressive results at the Falsterbo, Sweden CSIO (which saw them in fourth place in the Nation’s Cup) they were able to become part of the Italian ‘quintet’. Also nominated are: Vincenzo and Bruno Chimirri, Juan Carlos Garcia, and Andrea Heroldt.
The Unites Kingdom’s team, however, seems to have become a (Whitaker) family affair. This family has created a veritable ‘dynasty, three riders to the European Championship: John, Michael, and their nineteen year-old niece, Ellen. Nick Skelton and William Tunnel round out the five riders selected.
Ludo Philippaerts, Belgium’s brightest hope, will be riding once more for his country’s team. Ludo and Parco will try to win after the disappointment at Donaueschingen when they slid from first to fourth place in the rankings after a knockdown at the last fence.
Switzerland has a group of young riders this year: Fabio Crotta, Steve Guerdat, Christina Leibherr, Markus Fuchs (2nd ranked worldwide), and Niklaus Scurtenberger. Fuchs is one of the odd-on favourites in the individual competition.
We can expect surprises form teams which have made a good showing in the last few Championships: Sweden, France, Holland, and Ireland.
Finally, it is worth noting that several Eastern European countries will take part this year, including Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Estonia in the individual and Russia and Hungary in the running for the team title as well.
For a full list of participants see: www.sanpatrignano2005.org
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