28 June 2016

Dutch team selected for World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships

Following the second selection trials in Uden last weekend, Dutch team coach Ad Aarts announced the team and individual drivers for the FEI World Para Equestrian Driving Championships in Beesd, the Netherlands, from 3 to 6 August. Jacques Poppen, Francisca den Elzen, Ingmar Veneman, Aad van Marwijk and Dinja Steenkamp will be representing the Netherlands in Beesd.

The team will consist of reigning World Champion Jacques Poppen, Francisca den Elzen and Ingmar Veneman. Aad van Marwijk and Dinja Steenkamp will be the individual drivers.

Poppen won the competition in Horst and came second in Uden with his Arabo Friesian gelding P.P. with which he became World Champion in 2014.
Den Elzen will make her World Championship debut in Beesd.
Veneman finished sixth in Sandringham in 2014. She came third in Uden with her 15 year-old KWPN mare Umpire and with that result, she secured her ticket to the World Championships

Aad van Marwijk took home the silver medal with the Dutch team in 2014 and will start with his 13 year-old Kyra in Beesd.
Dinja Steenkamp will also make her World Championship debut in Beesd.

The team will be under the leadership of team coach Harry de Ruyter who replaces Ad Aarts. He accompanies the single drivers at the FEI World Single Driving Championships in Piber, Austria on the same weekend.