The captain of the national team before the start of the European Championship: “We are not talking about medals, but about performance at the world level”

It’s a star-studded starting field and very much appreciated when the best dressage riders in Europe gather for this summer’s second major international tournament. On site, among others, are double Olympic gold medalist Jessica von Prideaux Werendl and other riders of the German gold team in Tokyo.

The UK is also sending its entire bronze team from the Olympics to the European Championships.

The European Championships begins with the team competition, which is decided over a two-day period, after which the individual categories await.
Jacob Norby Sorensen and Muegelbergs stallion Romeo, 11, will go to Sweden for the first time on Tuesday.

It’s going to be very exciting, and I’m usually pretty easy on it. Of course it would be more exciting when it was a tournament like this, I would have been lying if it wasn’t. But I will try to do my best for Sweden and for myself, says Jakob Norby Sorensen, rookie in the championship.

The return of the championship to Hogberg

Gina Hojberg, who will return for the tournament, comes in second for Sweden. Högberg who in a few weeks managed to take silver in Sweden with Lorenzo and gold in young WC.

– I’ve started this horse a few times and we’ll start here in the European Championships, so it’s very exciting to be part of the team. So we can all fight as best we can.

Gina Hojberg was an Olympic reserve in Tokyo and the last time she competed in a senior tournament was the 2014 World Cup in Caen.

– That’s what you fight for all the time, to ride the championship. I’m really glad I had the chance to ride this amazing horse (Lorenzo’s editor’s note). Högberg says, so I can really take this opportunity to enjoy my time inside the arena again.

Swedish crew on opening day

Federation captain Bo Jenå is looking forward to the start with two Swedish crew on opening day.

– I hope they have a safe and good ride. There is very good competition here as well, and there are many who have their Olympic horses here. It’s not believing that this is something you can easily access, says Bo Jenå, but it’s a tough competition.

It continues:

– I’d rather they ride flawless, of course, and then they can drive that by producing the best of the horses, and then there’s going to be a few extra points.

Juliette Rammell and Therese Nellshagen, who both rode the Olympics and made the singles finals, will ride on Wednesday when the class ends and the two teams’ medals will be awarded.