Paris (AFP)

Olympic champion in show jumping and still not qualified for the Olympics 2020, France plays big in Rotterdam during the Euros of riding. Only three tickets will be issued for the Tokyo Games while several major equestrian nations also want sesame.

These European Championships, which start Monday with dressage (also qualifying for the Olympics 2020), are therefore a top priority for the five French riders and their horses: Roger-Yves Bost (Sangria Coty), Nicolas Delmotte (Urvoso du Roch), Alexis Deroubaix (Timon of Aure), Penelope Leprevost (Vancouver of Lanlore) and Kevin Staut (Calevo 2).

"One medal per team is a great satisfaction, but the Olympic qualification is for everyone French equestrian," said AFP the new national coach, Thierry Pomel.

He was named in January, four months after the Tricolores failed to validate their ticket to Tokyo at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon (USA).

"I put a lot of pressure with all this thinking, now we have to go in. I take the selection, I believe in the couples.These five riders have all run big championships, they have plenty of medals around their necks, they know perfectly where they are going, "continues Pomel, who will know Friday if he made the right choice (start of the tests on Wednesday).

- The failure of 2008 -

Among the five Blues, three have lived the heroic adventure of the Rio Games (a second title 40 years after the first) but the story is not the same for Bost, Leprevost and Staut.

"It's been a long time since we did not ride the same horses, there has been since a world championship where we have not been very efficient, a lot of things have changed. The truth will be on the track next week, "said Staut, who had not even considered participating in the Euros while it is" in full reconstruction "since the beginning of the year.

The rider, who rises only since March Calevo 2, does not want to relive the failure of 2008. For his first European Championships, in Mannheim (Germany), the Blues had failed and had not taken part in the big Olympic party in Beijing. France had even been demoted to the 2nd division.

But Staut has confidence in his new horse, which has progressed very quickly. And these Euros are held in Rotterdam, which has long hosted Grand Prix, very popular and appreciated riders.

- Ultimate catching up -

Bost, too, knows the place well.

"I've done more than ten times Rotterdam, I've been ranked regularly there, it's a competition that works well for the French, there is a big forest, the horses are happy, it's a good atmosphere. ", notes Bost, who saved for the expiry of his mare Sangria, long wounded.

"She is in top form, we will try something and serve the team," promises the rider Barbizon, who hopes that the French experience will play in their favor.

Because the pressure will be in the Netherlands. Great European nations of the equestrian world are not for the moment of the trip to Japan, like Belgium, Ireland or Great Britain.

For the moment, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United States and Australia are qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games.

But unlike 2008, there will be a final catch-up session from October 3 to 6 with the final of the Nations Cup in Barcelona. With the key a single Olympic ticket.

In addition to jumping, France aims to qualify for the Games in dressage.

© 2019 AFP