Irish Dressage squad named for 2022 ECCO FEI World Championships

HORSE Sport Ireland Dressage High-Performance Director, Johann Hinnemann, has named his squad for the ECCO FEI Dressage World Championships which take place in Herning, Denmark from August 6-10, 2022.

200,000 visitors are expected to attend the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning from August 6 to 14, when Denmark welcomes the absolute best riders and their horses. The Championships will host four disciplines, including Vaulting and three Olympic disciplines: Dressage, Jumping and Para Dressage. The Dressage competitions will be held at Stutteri Ask Stadium. The team medals will be decided on August 7, with the Grand Prix Special on August 8 and Grand Prix Freestyle on August 10.

SQUAD

The Irish squad In alphabetical order is:

Alex Baker with ‘Dutchman’, owned by Daniel Champion & Alex, Carol & Tim Baker;

Sorrell Klatzko with ‘Turbo’, owned by Sorrell Klatzko & Janine Shoffner;

Abigail Lyle with ‘Giraldo’, owned by Abigail Lyle or ‘Farrell’, owned by Fenella Quinn;

Anna Merveldt with ‘Esporim’, owned by Mario Greco, Eleonore Higgins, Michael Higgins and Giovanna Mazza;

Dane Rawlins with ‘Espoire’ (non-travelling reserve).

Speaking after the announcement, Johann Hinneman said: “Today I have selected four Irish Dressage athletes to campaign at the FEI Dressage World Championships 2022 in Herning, Denmark. The selected combinations are a mix of seasoned experience in Anna Merveldt, and upcoming pathway athletes, in Sorrell Klatzko, Abigail Lyle, Alex Baker, together with a squad contingency, Dane Rawlins (another experienced athlete) named as a non-travelling reserve.

“I’m incredibly pleased to see new combinations make the championship squad. My programme design is simple, I want to encourage talented home grown athletes into dressage top sport and compete on the world stage. We have seen the biggest growth in new combinations competing for Ireland in the past year or so.

“I push for athletes to be confident in their performances and excel at the highest level. The aim in Herning is a top 12 finish, with each combination performing their best with a view to improving as we move towards the Europeans in 2023, and the ultimate objective of qualification for Paris 2024. I would like to extend sincere thanks to the HSI Dressage High Performance Committee for their support and guidance.”