31 August 2022
Dissatisfaction with the absence of Austrian national team at the World Championships for Singles
There is a lot of unrest among the Austrian drivers. Despite international top performances and the medal chances for Austria at the World Championships, the national federation (OEPS) has not selected a team for the upcoming World Single Driving Championships in Le Pin au Haras, France.At the World Championships, which will be held from 15 to 18 September, Alexander Bösch will be the only one to represent his country with his horse Finesse. This is causing a lot of fuss among the Austrians, who believe that they have several top horses and drivers at their disposal and could therefore easily have created a complete team. According to many insiders, they would not only have a chance of good results, but even have a real chance of a team medal.
Three young, promising talents are the victims of this situation. They have proven themselves several times at the highest level in recent years and have aligned their entire 2022 planning with the World Championships. It concerns the 25-year-old Vinzenz Dobretsberger, 31-year-old Lara Krejcerik and 25-year-old Martina Reingruber. Until a few days ago, they were all confident that they would meet the OEPS qualification criteria and represent Austria at the World Championships.
Lara Krejcerik at the World Championship for young driving horses 2022
Photo: Krisztina Horváth
Double standard
The criteria of the OEPS are strict when it comes to participation in championships. They are stricter than the qualification criteria of the FEI, which the three easily met. Among other things, the OEPS asks for a dressage score under 58 penalty points (FEI: 65 points), completing three international three-star competitions (FEI: 2) and participating in the national championships for single driving horses. The three World Championships aspirants were not selected for the World Championships because they did not meet all points according to the OEPS.
Leo Pingitzer used Vinzenz Dobretsberger’s example in a critical report to explain how the OEPS arrived at its decision. “2022 was a very successful season for Dobretsberger. He placed second at CAI3* Kladruby (20 – 24 April 2022) and at CAI3* Szilvasvarad (14 – 17 July 2022). He also won the CAI3* from Altenfelden, June 16-19, 2022), but after his good result in dressage at the national championships, he retired due to a marathon error. As a result, he does not meet the criteria of the OEPS and his international successes now count for nothing.”
Critics are angry that there is a double standard. Daniel Schneiders, despite not participating in the national championship, was nominated with his Four-in-Hand for the World Championship in Pratoni del Vivaro in September. This is allowed because the OEPS sports director has the power to ‘select people or deny applications’. In this case, that authority is in favor of Schneiders and against the three single-driving drivers.
As a result, Austria will not be present at the World Championships in Le Pin au Haras with a national team. Alexander Bösch will therefore start individually.
Alexander Bösch and Finesse
Photo: Melanie Guillamot
