Henk Nooren, preparing for the Games at CSI4* A Coruña

The CSI4* A Coruña has this weekend an important French presence, three of the four riders selected for the Olympic Games in Paris will compete in Casas Novas, under the watchful eye of the coach of the French team, Henk Nooren, who spoke to us about the choice of this competition and his plans for the Olympics.

Henk Nooren, you are again in Casas Novas and this time, at a very special time, in the run-up to the Olympic Games in Paris. Why did you choose this competition in Casas Novas before the Olympic Games?

Well, I think that not only I, but also the riders, have been here many times in the past and we know the facilities and conditions that Casas Novas offers.

The test track, the possibility of an incredible indoor in case of rain, the gallop track... The atmosphere is nice and you breathe tranquility. Something a little different to what we are used to from week to week and we wanted to train and warm up the horses that will compete in the Olympic Games in a few weeks and also to have our four or five riders here together so that the team spirit is ready for the Olympic Games in Paris.

Three of the four members of the team that will compete at the Games are in A Coruña, why didn't Julien Epaillard come?

The reason is that his horse needed special medical treatment, which took a week longer than expected, so unfortunately he is not here. On the other hand our rider Roger Yves Bost is here, so we have 4 of the 5 riders of the Olympic team.

As you said before, Casas Novas is a perfect place to warm up for the Olympics. Is the team going to Versailles with a good morale?

We visited Versailles with the team several times. I would say we are in high spirits, that's normal for any team, especially when you are competing at home, the team spirit is excellent, we are on the right track.

Do you like the current format of the Olympic Games and what is your opinion about it?

We would have liked, as we have said in the past, to have 4 riders in the first round and 3 riders in the second round. This is the second Olympics in which this is the case and we will continue to ask for a change.

Do you dare to make a prediction of favorites for the individual and team medals?

In the individual, the safest bet would be Henrick von Erckermann, who has been winning a lot in recent years. And then there are the two Swiss, Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs, also Richard Vogel or Kent Farrington. These are, for me, the 5 favorite riders to win in individual.

Regarding the teams, I think there are several who are favorites, there is a group of 8, 9 or 10 who can get the medal.

Yesterday we learned that the European Championship 2025 will be here, in Casas Novas. Do you think it is a good scenario for this kind of events?

If we turn around, seeing the whole competition from here, knowing how it was in the past and the evolution it has had since then with an organization that every year hosts a winter and summer edition. Yes, I think we will all be very happy to be here in 2025 in La Coruña.

We wonder what awaits the French team after the Olympic Games and if we will see them here in 2025.

I don't know yet, my agreement with the French federation ends at the end of the year, so I don't know what will happen after that.