The participating countries for the European Championships are gradually announcing their selection of horses and riders, but the FEI has now published the longlist of nominated names that may participate in Milan.
Notable in the list is the world's number one, Henrik von Eckermann, is not selected with his King Edward. Although the horse is still in top form and has proven that several times, he will not be seen under the Swede at this European Championships. The reason for this is that the 13-year-old gelding jumps without shoes on his feet and that on grass is not always ideal. von Eckermann is betting on Dutch jumping power and will travel to Milan with Iliana, a daughter of Cardento.
With the British team, they must also miss a strong force as Ben Maher will not be heading to the Italian city with Explosion W (by Chacco Blue). The 14-year-old gelding injured himself at the beginning of June in La Baule during the Rolex Grand Prix, which means the Olympic champion will not be able to defend his honor at the European Championships. For Maher, there is still a choice of three other horses with which he is on the long list.
Austrian Max Kühner has a luxury problem because he has no less than four horses on the list ahead of him. Just last week, the Austrian won the Rolex Grand Prix of Dinard in the saddle of Elektrik Blue P (by Eldorado vd Zeshoek) but also EIC Cooley Jump the Q (by Pacino) has already won a Grand Prix this year.
Next Monday, Aug. 7, we will know who will definitely participate in the European Championships because then each country has to communicate its choice.
You can see the complete list here
