Who are the people you feel you have to thank for your presence in Paris and why?
I have to thank my entire team, my assistants and all those who contribute to the daily work, not only for the Olympic Games but for my entire life as a rider. I mean of course the owners who accompanied me in the past and those who trust me today, the sponsors, the grooms, the partners and all those involved in ensuring the well-being and the best daily routine for my competition mates.
How did you experience the first months of 2024 with the goal to be selected for the Olympics? Were you looking forward to it with concern or were you pretty sure you could make it?
At the beginning of 2024, I was not absolutely sure whether I could participate in the Paris Games. I had three horses that could potentially be used and I had to see which one would be the most suitable for the Olympic competition. In the first few months, I was very focused because each horse obviously had its own competition program and it was not easy.
What do you expect from the courses in Paris. Are you familiar with the work of the two chefs de piste?
The courses will certainly be up to an Olympic competition and designed with Santiago Varela’s and Gregory Bodo’s usual finesse. I also expect magnificent, unique fences for this great event, that can be remembered and tell a story. I also hope for highly technical courses that can highlight above all the horses’ quality and the riders’ skills.
What do you think of the Olympic Games formula?
All the riders and the IJRC too have unanimously claimed that it is more sensible to go back to the previous formula, with teams of four riders and with the worst result discarded.
Your prediction for the individual podium?
1) Julien Epaillard ; 2) Henrick Von Eckermann ; 3) Martin Fuchs
Your prediction for the team podium?
1) Germany ; 2) France; 3) Sweden
Press Release: IJRC Press Office
Portrait photo © IJRC/F.Petroni