France Equestrian Announces Teams for Tokyo Olympics 2021

With the Tokyo Olympics 2021 drawing closer and closer, the French Equestrian Federation has confirmed their teams. Some big names will return to the Olympic stage while some fresh faces will make their debut. Well, who made the cut and who didn’t?

French eventing squad for Tokyo Olympics 2021

With over 300 starts and just under fifty wins, France has a powerhouse in Thomas Carlile, riding on Birmane in their eventing squad. The 34-year-old will make his Olympics debut in Tokyo. Also making his debut is Christopher Six, riding on Totem De Brecey.

To guide these debutants, the French eventing squad has two giants of the sport in their squad. First up, we have Nicolas Touzaint. A gold medalist at the 2004 Games in Athens, the 41-year-old will ride Absolut Gold at the Tokyo Olympics 2021.

Finally, rounding off the squad is another former gold medalist in Thibaut Vallette. At the Rio Olympics 2016, Vallette led the French eventing team to a gold medal, beating out the impressive British and American teams. He will ride on Qing du Briot in Tokyo.

Who made the dressage team?

The French dressage team comprises three debutantes. Led by former Olympian Morgan Barbançon Mestre, the French dressage squad will aim to outclass their competition and make a defining statement.

The first debutante is Alexandre Ayache. At 38, Ayache enters his first Olympic Games, having represented his country previously at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy. He will ride Zo What, a horse he owns.

Joining him is Maxime Collard on Cupido PD. Collard enters her first Olympics at 35, and represented France at the Continental/Regional Championships Nussloch. Finally, we have Isabelle Pinto, a veteran who represented her country in almost fifty competitions.

French show jumping team for Tokyo Olympics 2021

The first name in the short list is Mathieu Billot. Despite being incredibly successful on the international circuit, Billot has never graced the Olympic stage. In Tokyo, he faces his biggest challenge and gets the chance to bring back the biggest prize his country has seen in show jumping.

Joining him is Simon Delestre. Unlike Billot, Delestre has graced the Olympic stage, qualifying for London 2012 but finishing nineteenth in the individual event. Joining him is Nicolas Delmotte, another debutant who will look to make a powerful impression in Tokyo.

Finally, we have Pénélope Leprevost, the only person from the 2016 gold medal-winning team in Rio. Riding on Vancouver De Lanlore, Leprevost will look to add another medal to her legendary trophy cabinet.

With this list of potential winners, will the French Equestrian Federation be draped in gold at the end of the Tokyo Olympics 2021?

Read more: American Equestrian Legend Phillip Dutton Not Expecting an Easy Path at Tokyo Olympics 2021

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