France's Gilles Bertran de Balanda has been appointed as new chef d'équipe for Portugal. The 69-year-old French showjumping rider will take over from Joao Moura, aiming towards the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
The 69-year-old jumping rider never competed at an Olympic Games. Nevertheless de Balanda meant a lot for France, jumping to two golden team medals at the World Equestrian Games in Dublin and Jerez de la Fronteira.
De Balanda is still competing, this year he competed at the CSI2* in St Tropez, but in the future he will have to put his boots aside, guiding the Portugese jumping crew. The last time Portugal send a team to the Olympic Games dates back from Rome in 1960.
The 69-year-old jumping rider never competed at an Olympic Games. Nevertheless de Balanda meant a lot for France, jumping to two golden team medals at the World Equestrian Games in Dublin and Jerez de la Fronteira.
De Balanda is still competing, this year he competed at the CSI2* in St Tropez, but in the future he will have to put his boots aside, guiding the Portugese jumping crew. The last time Portugal send a team to the Olympic Games dates back from Rome in 1960.