National team coach Rob Erins of Vert has called up rider Sani Thijsen of Sevenums for the decider round of the Nations Cup. Next Friday is the start of the last weekend in Barcelona.
Erinz sees opportunities for his team of showjumping riders. The first task is to finish among the top eight on Friday in Barcelona. “If that works out, we really have a chance in the final.”
Experienced team
Earns selected four groups: Willem Gref with Carambol, Harry Smulders and Monaco, Sunny Thijsen with Koon Quidam and Michael van der Vleuten, who has already won the bronze in Tokyo. Kevin Jochems goes with the Turbo Z as a spare. Well-known names Greve, Smolders and Van der Vleuten competed in last month’s Tokyo Games, with the Netherlands finishing fourth in the country final.
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Tejsen
Newcomer Sanne Thijssen impressed Irenz during the CHIO in Aachen two weeks ago. Then the 22-year-old contestant made her debut for the Dutch vaulting team at the Nations Cup. In the first round, she incurred four penalty points but clearly completed the second round. The jump team finished fifth there.
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Barcelona
With Friday coming, 14 qualifying nations will compete for the first time during the first round, and Sunday is the final. The Nations Cup has been closed for years at Barcelona’s Real Club de Polo stadium. In addition to the Netherlands, the nine top-tier countries in Europe will participate this year, and will be complemented by teams from the United States, Brazil, Canada and host country Spain. The European country that finishes at the lowest level will be dropped from Section 1.
