Dutch show jumpers qualifies for Olympics with silver in World Cup

The Dutch showjumping competitors won the silver on Friday in the country’s competition for the World Equestrian Championships, thus also qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. The Qatari teams competed against each other for three days. The Dutch national team, led by national coach Jose Lansink, scored 19.31 points at the Danish Herning Stadium. Harry Smulders’ net tour on Friday with horse Monaco in particular contributed to this.

Besides Smolders, the Dutch team consisted of Sanne Thijssen with Con Quidam RB, Maikel van der Vleuten with Beauville Z NOP and Jur Vrieling with Long John Silver. Smolders’ strong performance was preceded by good rounds by Van der Vleuten and Vrieling on Days One and Two, Wednesday and Thursday. The downfall of German jockey Andre Thiem also contributed to the Dutch silver medal.

In Herning, Sweden took the gold and it was the bronze medal for the United Kingdom. Ireland and Germany finished fourth and fifth, thus also qualifying for Paris 2024. On Sunday, the showjumpers will ride separately.

Before the World Cup, the national team coach Lansink said Norwegian Refugee Council That getting at least fifth place was the main goal – to ensure participation in the Olympics. He wasn’t sure: “If you’re too honest, it can go either way. There are six or seven strong countries. The shape of the week will be decisive. If you make too many mistakes at first, it will haunt you for the rest of the days.”