In the Eventing Paris 2024, 27 countries are participating with 16 teams consisting of three combinations, and a total of 65 combinations. Janneke Boonzaaijer (Renswoude) is with ACSI Champ de Tailleur, one of the team members for TeamNL. Her own reserve horse is I’m Special N N.O.P..
The Eventing at the Olympics takes place from July 27 to 29. In addition to Janneke Boonzaaijer, the other team members with support are:
Sanne de Jong (Aalsmeer) with Enjoy, Raf Kooremans (Turnhout Bel.) with Crossborder Radar Love, Reserve: Elaine Pen (Leiden) with Divali, Head Coach: Andrew Heffernan (Nantwich, GBR), Team Veterinarian: Leendert Jan Hofland (Bodegraven).
The equestrian sport of Paris 2024 takes place at a sensational location, the Palace of Versailles. Beyond the palace gardens lies 800 hectares of parkland, crisscrossed with straight paths through woods and fields. The Grand Canal, designed by André Le Nôtre, runs from east to west over 1,670 meters. The canal will be a key feature on the Eventing cross-country day on Sunday, July 28, with horses and riders galloping over pontoons to get from one side to the other.
There are also various iconic jumps in this cross. Course designer Pierre Le Goupil adds: “The Grand Canal, which is very straight, is also good for letting the horses stretch out for a good gallop.” Pierre Le Goupil says about the ground: “The consistent surface is important. We have added special volcanic sand to maintain that consistency and provide natural drainage. In bad weather, it does its job. Because of the consistency of the ground, the feeling for the horses and riders is the same from the start box to the finish.”
Janneke Boonzaaijer adds: “We drove to Paris at night and arrived well. Our final training sessions have gone very well. We had a big focus on dressage, and my two dressage trainers are even in Paris with us. The final fitness training sessions also went very well. I am very curious how enjoyable the Games will be now that they are so close. The number of familiar faces at the cross now will surely create a different pressure than at the Tokyo Olympics. But I think it will be very fun and I am really looking forward to it. I am very excited!”