This afternoon, the French Equestrian Federation (FFE) updated its À Cheval pour Paris lists bringing together the couples competing to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, in show jumping, eventing, dressage and para-dressage. On this occasion, Sophie Dubourg, national technical director of the FFE and head of mission for the JOPs, provided some explanations.
Last November, these lists were subject to a first revision. What were the update criteria this time?
We wanted to wait for the resumption of external competitions to see all the couples again in competition conditions close to those which await them at the JOPs. In eventing, it was also important that the couples obtain the final qualifying results essential to qualify for selection. The sporting performance and state of health of the horses are two essential criteria in our choices. The third criterion is the support of the rider, the owners of his horse and his entourage and the Olympic and Paralympic project. It is essential for us to have team cohesion in the broad sense with all stakeholders to be able to perform at Versailles.
How do you view the preparation of the French team less than two months before the Games?
We are on the right track in this preparation. As always, there are events that change our plans, but we have to know how to adapt and adjust our preparation, which is true for all sports. In eventing and show jumping, we still have a dozen couples on our À Cheval pour Paris lists, which really shows the good, homogeneous level of the collectives. In dressage, we have four couples on the list. And in para-dressage, the dynamic is also good with the entry of two new couples to expand this group. There are still adjustments to be made and some confirmations to be obtained. We are also not stopping ourselves from integrating more couples in the coming weeks, but we are starting to see things more clearly for the selections. This is the final stretch before the announcement and the final courses, so we must not give up and above all continue to be very attentive to the physical and mental fitness of our horses and riders.
What are the next steps before the Games?
There are still benchmark competitions in all disciplines, before making the final choices for the selections. These competitions will aim to continue to prepare the couples so that they reach their peak form in July for the three Olympic disciplines and in August for para-dressage. At the end of June, we will give a nominative list with a maximum of twelve couples per discipline, i.e. three times the quotas. During this same period, all horses competing for selection will benefit from a complete veterinary examination to ensure their perfect physical condition.
Each coach, in consultation with the federal management, will then establish a selection of four couples which I will propose to the president of the FFE, Serge Lecomte. Once this selection has been validated, I will present it in a concrete manner to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) on Friday July 5 during the advisory commission for the Olympic selections, and on Tuesday July 9 with the selection commission of the Paralympic committee and French sportsman (CPSF). They are the ones who will definitively validate the selections and make the official commitments of our athletes. It is always a very strong moment for the staff, the athletes and the owners of their horses, and there will inevitably be some disappointed people. It is important at this time to thank all the riders and owners who have been preparing for years for this selection for their commitment to the French team. It is thanks to this strong group that we can aim for medals.
Updated Horse Riding for Paris lists
