A good two weeks before the first athlete of the Longines FEI Jumping European Championship Riesenbeck 2021 will step onto the grass stadium, the federations of the 23 participating nations have announced their 76 riders and their horses. The list of stars is headed by the team Olympic champion and individual silver medallist in Tokyo, Peder Fredricson from Sweden.
Switzerland is represented by two other superstars: Steve Guerdat, 2012 Olympic gold medallist, and Martin Fuchs, who as defending champion at the European Championships will try to repeat the success at Rotterdam in 2019.
The two Belgians Pieter Devos and Jérome Guery come to Riesenbeck with a bronze medal from the Olympic Games in their luggage. They will be joined by the Philippaerts twins Nicola and Olivier, and Jos Verloy, the team gold and individual bronze medallist at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam.
For the first time, the Irish team includes someone who knows the course and the conditions in Riesenbeck very well: Eoin McMahon, who has been an employee of Ludger Beerbaum’s stable for many years, is allowed to represent his home country Ireland – and he hopes for applause from the home crowd in Riesenbeck. Together with his colleagues Bertrand Allen and Michael Duffy, the likeable Irish rider reckons he has good chances for the team competition.
The host team from Germany can be sure of the spectator’s support. The team Olympic Champion, Team World Champion, three-time Team European Champion Marcus Ehning as well as the Olympic participants Maurice Tebbel, Andre Thieme and Christian Kukuk will be competing. The latter is also hoping for the home advantage, because as an employee of the Beerbaum Stables he knows the grass stadium like the back of his hand. David Will has also been selected by national coach Otto Becker due to his great successes this year.
The European Championships programme will remain the same as in previous years:
On Wednesday, 1st September, the jumping speed class for all riders will take place from 11 am. On Thursday, 2nd September, the first round of the team competition will take place from 1 p.m., which will be continued on Friday, from 1 p.m. with the second round. two. Afterwards, the team medals will be awarded. On Sunday, 5 September, the two final rounds in the individual competition will be held from 2 p.m., ending with the medal presentation ceremony. (estimated schedule)
In addition to the European Championship competitions, there will also be jumping competitions at two and three-star level on each day.
For the full list of athletes competing at the European Championships, tickets and further information go to: www.riesenbeck2021.com