The Longines FEI European Championships 2017 will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden, from August 21-27.
After taking bronze in 2015, Romain Duguet (SUI) and Twentytwo Des Biches are determined to take Team Swiss to the top of the podium this year at the Longines FEI European Championships 2017 in Gothenburg (SWE). Photo by FEI/Richard Juilliart
JUMPING
When the Dutch claimed European team and individual Jumping gold in Aachen (GER) two years ago they were an unstoppable force, sweeping all before them in a tidal wave of glory. They were repeating the success they had enjoyed at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Caen (FRA) a year earlier and it was the same brilliant partnership, Jeroen Dubbeldam and Zenith, who claimed the individual title once again.
Fast-forward to 2017 and Dubbeldam is not listed in Rob Ehrens’ Dutch selection and it seems a much less predictable contest for both team and individual honours at the Longines FEI European Championships 2017 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The French are reigning Olympic champions, the Swiss and Swedish sides look strong, the Belgians have re-energised helped by a period in Division 2 of the FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping series and Italy has emerged, for the first time in a very long time, as a nation to be taken very seriously. For once Team Germany may not be the favourites for gold, but as anyone who follows this sport knows they can never be discounted. It’s going to be a fascinating week of sport when the action gets underway in the Ullevi Stadium on August 23. To read more click here.
Germany’s Isabell Werth, the most medalled Olympic equestrian athlete in history, will be chasing gold with Weihegold OLD at the Longines FEI European Championships. Photo by FEI/Cara Grimshaw
DRESSAGE
The Dutch are defending European team champions in Dressage, but the shine hasn’t gone off those Olympic gold medals won by Team Germany last summer and their individual silver medallist from Rio, Isabell Werth, is in the form of her life. With Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin no longer presenting a challenge following the retirement of the phenomenal Valegro, can anyone get in the way of a German whitewash at next week’s Longines FEI European Championships 2017 in Gothenburg, Sweden?
A total of 17 teams, and riders from 21 nations, will line out at the Ullevi Stadium in the heart of the charming Swedish city when the action gets underway with the Grand Prix on 22 August. Staged every two years, the story of these Championships has long been about German domination. To read more click here.
Will it be success again for Dutch driver, Koos de Ronde’s team as they attempt to clinch their third successive European team title at the Longines FEI European Championships 2017 in Gothenburg (SWE). Photo by FEI/Christophe Taniere
DRIVING
If you want to showcase a sport you could hardly come up with a better scenario than bringing it to the streets of one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. It’s bound to be a crowd-stopper when the Marathon phase of Driving sees Four-in-Hand teams clatter through the heart of Gothenburg, Sweden on their way to the public park in Slottsskogen where the obstacles will be located during the Longines FEI European Championships 2017 next week.
And it promises to be a superb battle throughout the three days of competition as Dutch stars, and defending champions, Ijsbrand Chardon (56), Koos de Ronde (40) and Theo Timmerman (52) attempt to clinch their third successive European team title. To read more click here.
Great Britain’s Sophie Wells, fresh from her grade IV individual gold in Rio and with London 2012 firmly under her belt, will lead a brand new Team GBR to the Longines FEI European Championships as they look to retain their nation’s unbeaten European, World and Paralympic record. Photo by FEI/Liz Gregg
PARA-DRESSAGE
The spirit of Rio 2016 will descend on the Para Dressage arena of the Longines FEI European Championships in Gothenburg next week (21-23 August) when five gold medallists return to top flight international competition since facing off at last summer’s Paralympic Games.
They’ll be joined by a further three Rio silver and bronze medallists, and together with a total of 62 athletes will compete for 30 individual and freestyle medals in five grades.
Meanwhile a brand new British Para Dressage team will head to Gothenburg to defend their nation’s unbeaten record of holding European, World and Paralympic team gold medals since the beginning of time – can they do it, or will Team Netherlands see this as an opportunity to strike? To read more click here.
More from Horse Sport:
