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2008 Olympic Games
Jeroen Devroe Not Going to the 2008 Olympic Games
May 7, 2008
 Belgian Grand Prix rider Jeroen Devroe will not be
going to the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. His 14-year
old Rhinelander branded Paganini (by Pavarotti van
de Helle x Sheyenne de Baugy) sustained a tendon injury
right after the CDI Hagen and will not be fit in time
for the Games.
The Belgian Equestrian Federation requested Devroe
to compete at the 2008 CDI Hagen and finish in the
top eight in the Grand Prix to obtain a qualification
score
for
the Olympic Games. Devroe and Paganini scored 67.458%
and finished third. An
individual berth at the 2008 Olympic Games was now
within reach for the Belgian duo.
Unfortunately, the dark bay gelding retured from Germany
with a strained tendon which will not have healed in
time for the Olympics. Consequently, Devroe decided
to withdraw from Olympic selection.
"We had to go through a very heavy selection procedure
to qualify to the Olympics. And that was my biggest
fear," Devroe told the Dutch magazine De Hoefslag.
"The injury is not so bad but it implies a set back
in Paganini's fitness. In principle, the veterinarians
think he's be fit for the Games, but I don't want to
do that. Paganini has already given me so much and
I still want to perform after the Games. Of course
I would have loved to go to China, but not at all cost,"
Devroe added.
The Belgian Olympic International Committee has told
the Belgian Equestrian Federation that they will
only send four Belgian equestrian athletes to the Games.
Show jumper Jos Lansink and eventing rider
Karin
Donckers
have already secured their spot. For dressage, Jeroen
Devroe was the only candidate. Eventer Joris van Springel
still has to consolidate his definite selection.
Photo copyrighted: Astrid Appels/Eurodressage
Partial source: De Hoefslag
Related Links
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2008 CDI Hagen
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