Para-dressage amazon Rixt van der Horst from Someren can look back on a successful European Championship in Ermelo. She grabbed Gold on Sunday with her horse Eisma’s Royal Fonque Nop in the Kür to music. Last Wednesday she became first in the individual test.
“It might not be my best Kür ever, but a very good test,” said Van der Horst on Sunday afterwards. “We had just too many mistakes on Friday and that made me drove a little more conservatively. It remains a thin line and now we were on the right side. I am happy with this!”
At the country competition on Saturday, the Netherlands took silver behind Germany. TeamNL also consisted of Britney de Jong, Tessa Baaijens-van de Vrie and Loes Cevaal. The Netherlands also finished behind Germany in the medal ranking. TeamNL grabbed this European Championship a total of four gold medals, one less than the eastern neighbors.
Three medals
Van der Horst, who has spasticity as the main limitation, said before the start of the European Championship that she went for three medals. “Last year the Olympic Games were great, the biggest stage you are working towards. After three times silver I hope to be on the highest step during the European Championship,” she said. “I put that pressure on myself, especially because we drive in our own country at the tournament for which I am an ambassador.”
The Amazon from Someren also hopes to keep running in the top in the coming years. With the Paralympic Games of 2028 in Los Angeles as the main goal. “It is on my planning, but I look at it per year. Is it still physically and financially to be strong?”