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Dutch Olympian Edward Gal Withdraws from CDIO Rotterdam

Edward Gal steers Glock’s Undercover to victory in the opening leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League in Odense, Denmark. (FEI/Annette Boe Ostergaard)

Citing the overall welfare of the horses, Edward Gal has withdrawn both of his rides, Undercover (Ferro x Donnerhall) and Voice (De Niro x Rohdiamant), from the 2016 CDIO Rotterdam, set to take place June 23-26. Despite being named the first of two mandatory Dutch team selection trials for the 2016 Rio Olympics, it is unclear whether Gal’s absence from the event will ultimately disqualify him from obtaining a spot on the Dutch team for the Games.

“In consultation with team-coach Johan Rockx, we decided both Glock’s Undercover and Glock’s Voice will not start in Rotterdam,” stated Gal through Glock Horse Performance Center’s Facebook page. “Last year Glock’s Undercover was really frightened by the intense atmosphere so I don’t think it’s fair to ride him in again.

“Glock’s Voice is going very well, but in terms of training is still in his building phase, after an injury. If I compete him now I would go faster than I wanted to and it would be too risky. That’s why we made the decision in consultation with Johan Rockx. Obviously this is a difficult decision as I would rather be in the ring, but the welfare of the horse is always most important for us.”

Undercover, Gal’s Olympic hopeful, was slated to compete in the CDIO Nations Cup for The Netherlands, and will be replaced by Danielle Heijkoop and Siro. Glock’s Voice, Gal’s partner for the 2014 World Equestrian Games, was to compete in the CDI 3* in Rotterdam. The Dutch National Championships, set to take place July 15-17, 2016, are the second competition labeled as mandatory for riders hoping to be selected for the 2016 Dutch Olympic Team.

Edward Gal and Undercover finished second overall in the CDIO Rotterdam Grand Prix in 2015, and placed second in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle at Rotterdam in 2016 with scores over 80%. Gal and Glock’s Voice won last year’s CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle at Rotterdam with a 81.650%.

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