We’re just over a month away from the start of the Paris Olympic Games, taking place at the storied Palace of Versailles July 26–August 11, 2024.

As equestrian teams around the world make their final preparations and selections—with the goal not just of peaking their horses, but putting their best foot forward in the City of Lights— the Netherlands has become one of the first teams to officially reveal their 2024 Olympic equestrian teams.

Known for its powerhouse KWPN breeding studbook, which has boasted former Olympic champions including Charlotte Dujardin’s (GBR) Valegro in dressage and Nick Skelton’s (GBR) Big Star in show jumping, the Dutch will be hoping to improve upon their current overall equestrian medal total of 27.

Here’s a look at the contenders in dressage, eventing, and show jumping.

Sanne de Jong
Janneke Boonzaaijer
Elaine Pen
Raf Kooremans

Eventing

Dates: July 27–29

It’s been nearly a century since the Netherlands fielded an individual Olympic medalist in eventing (see: Charles Pahud de Mortanges on Marcroix). That same year of 1932, the Dutch added a team silver medal to their tally, bringing their total count in the sport to seven.

“My goal and assignment is to achieve a top-6 to -8 ranking with the team, and I have the confidence that these riders can do that,” said National Coach Andrew Heffernan, whose highest-ranked rider, Janneke Boonzaadjer, currently sits at no. 108 in the world.

  • Janneke Boonzaadjer with ACSI Champ de Tailleur (by Quidam de Revel/gray/gelding/2007)
  • Sanne de Jong with Enjoy (by Cartano/gray/mare/2009) 
  • Raf Kooremans with Crossborder Radar Love (by Diarado/brown/ gelding/2013)
  • Elaine Pen with Diwali (by Cardento/dark brown/mare/2008)

Non-traveling reserve:
Tim Lips with Eckinops D’am (by Naiade Du Baret/chestnut/gelding/2014)

Hans Peter Minderhoud
Dinja van Liere
Edward Gal 
Emmelie Scholtens

Dressage

Dates: July 30–August 4

Ranked at no. seven in their national total of 12 Olympic dressage medals, the Netherlands have always been a formidable competitor in the sport.

Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival last earned an individual silver medal in London in 2012. Before that, Anky van Grunsven won the individual gold medal at three consecutive Games (Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004, and Beijing in 2008).

In fact, during the last, 10, Olympic Games, the Netherlands have podiumed in team dressage an impressive 50% of the time.

“I am very proud of the performances that the riders and horses delivered during the observation competitions. It was all very close together, and it is a luxury that we have such a good group,” said National Coach Patrick van der Meer.

Among that group: Emmelie Scholtens, 39, who will be making her Olympic debut aboard Indian Rock, and who is currently ranked at no. 8 in the world. Also headed to Paris: three-time Olympian Edward Gal, once again riding Glock’s Total US—one of two horses on the list sired by Gal’s famous former partner, Totilas.

  • Dinja van Liere with Hermes NOP (by Easy Game/brown/stallion/2012)
  • Hans Peter Minderhoud with GLOCK’s Toto Jr (by Totilas/black/stallion/2011)
  • Emmelie Scholtens with Indian Rock (by Apache, dark brown, stallion, 2013)
  • Edward Gal with Glock’s Total US (by Totilas/black/stallion/2012)

Non-traveling reserve:
Marlies van Baalen with Habibi DVB NOP (by Blue Horse Don Schufro/chestnut/gelding/2012)

Harrie Smolders
Willem Greve
Maikel van der Vleuten
Kim Emmen

Show Jumping

Dates: August 1–6

The Dutch last earned a team silver medal in London in 2012, adding to their total of eight in the discipline overall. They’ve also seen recent successes on the individual podium, repeating their dressage feat of five medals during the last 10 games.

At Tokyo in 2021, three-time Olympian Maikel van der Vleuten took individual bronze aboard the 14-year-old Zangersheide Beauville Z N.O.P. He’ll bring the same gelding forward to Paris this summer after previously earning a team silver medal with Verdi TN in 2012.

Van der Vleuten will be joined by two-time Olympian Harrie Smolders and 2024 Rolex Grand Prix of the Dutch Masters winner, Willem Greve.

“The first three riders had, of course, been fixed in my mind for some time. They also have the advantage of having a very good second horse at their disposal,” said National Coach Jos Lansik, adding that, with only the top three scores counting per team, the results will likely be decisive.

  • Willem Greve with Grandorado TN NOP (by Eldorado VD Zeshoek TN/bay/stallion/2011)
  • Reserve horse: Highway TN NOP (by Eldorado vd Zeshoek/brown/stallion/2012)
  • Harrie Smolders with Uricas vd Kattevennen (by Uriko/brown/stallion/2012)
  • Reserve horse: Monaco NOP (by Cassini II, brown, gelding, 2009)
  • Maikel van der Vleuten with Beauville Z NOP (by Bustique/brown/gelding/2010)
  • Reserve Horse: O’Bailey vh Brouwershof NOP (by Darco/brown/stallion/2014)
  • Kim Emmen with Imagine (by Cassini Gold/gray/gelding/2013) 

Non-traveling reserves:

Mathijs van Asten with Sirocco (by Balou du Rouet, chestnut, gelding, 2009)

Jur Vrieling with Jourdain VDL (by Zapatero/brown/gelding/2014) 

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