Ingmar de Vos: 'Happy there are 5* competitions once more'
FEI president Ingmar de Vos visited the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup today in Rotterdam. Last month he was at the Nations Cup in La Baule and today he visited Rotterdam for the first time since the European Championships of 2019. We spoke to him in the intermission of the thrilling competition.
"It's wonderful to be here again'', said Ingmar de Vos. " For 1,5 years we have barely had any competitions and especially no 5* competitions as today's. And these competitions are very important, especially in an Olympic year. The horses need the opportunity to gain rhythm. It after all appears that the Olympics will be taking place."
He expects some important decisions will be taken this weekend. "I know, for instance, that the Americans will decide their team in the upcoming and that The Netherlands have yet to announce their team. Sunday will give us certainty."
"It is also nice for the course building to be able to be here in Rotterdam. For Santiago Varela too the 1,5 has been an extraordinary period and he will have to design a wonderful course for Tokio.
The COVID-era could possibly be the cause of some surprises in our sport during the Games. Fortunately, the athletes and the industry have managed to keep going, despite there being no competitions. This is very important, for our industry as well."
How has he experienced this edition of CHIO Rotterdam so far? "Two years ago I was here for the last time, during the European Championships. That was great, an impressive event. This time it's totally different, but also very well organised considering the circumstances. It's different, but of high quality. I've been hearing a lot of positive feedback from riders as well. And of the things we now have to do differently because of COVID-19, surely there will some we will take with us into future events."