Witte-Vrees Misses Out on 2019 Dutch Dressage Championships

Fri, 05/17/2019 - 10:17
The Netherlands
Madeleine Witte-Vrees and Cennin at the 2018 World Equestrian Games :: Photo © Astrid Appels

Dutch A-squad rider Madeleine Witte-Vrees will not be competing at the 2019 Dutch Dressage Championships in Ermelo on 23 - 26 May 2019. Both her Grand Prix rides Cennin and Charmeur have sustained minor injuries. 

This year's Dutch Nationals are scheduled unusually early in the season because the 2019 European Championships will be hosted on home turf on Rotterdam in August. The Nationals are the first observation trial team selection.

Horses.nl reported that Madeleine Witte-Vrees is the big absentee on the starters' list. The Dutch WEG team rider is sidelined as both her horses are recovering from small injuries. 

Aside from Witte-Vrees, Holland's top Grand Prix combinations are all entered for the show: Edward Gal will be returning to the arena with Zonik and will be defending their title. It could be Gal's 10th time to win the Dutch Championships. The combination's last international start was at the CDI Stockholm in December 2018.  Also entered are Hans Peter Minderhoud (Dream Boy), Emmelie Scholtens (Apache), Anne Meulendijk (Avantie), Diederik van Silfhout (Expression) and Adelinde Cornelissen (Zephyr).

The senior Grand Prix Championship will include two rounds: the Grand Prix on Friday 24 May and the Kur to Music on Sunday 26 May 2019.  

The Nationals also include the championships for the children, junior, young rider and Under 25 division.

Photo © Astrid Appels

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