Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén will ride Don Auriello in her seventh Olympic Games
Sweden – July 1, 2016 – The Swedish Equestrian Federation has announced the team of four horse and rider combinations who will represent the country at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. The team is a mixture of veterans and up-and-coming riders.
Two combinations were chosen May 31, and the final two were announced July 1 following CHIO Rotterdam. The first two to be announced – six-time Olympian Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén and two-time Olympian Patrik Kittel – consistently anchor the Swedish team and were clear choices for Rio.
Juliette Ramel and Therese Nilshagen were added to the roster based on their excellent performances in recent months. Both will be representing Sweden at a major senior championship for the first time.
Bo Jena, chef d’equipe of the Swedish team, said Sweden had a deep pool to choose from this year to fill the third and fourth spots, but he feels those selected are deserving of the honor.
“These two pairs have gone from strength to strength during the year, and Kyra Kyrklund and I have followed them and watched them develop more and more,” Jena said. “It’s fun to be able to present two new riders to the Olympics. I’d love to come with two teams to Rio – we have so many talented riders and horses right now. But we feel that these two have that little extra that is needed at a major championship like the Olympics.”
A team alternate will be named after the upcoming CDI in Falsterbo, Sweden.
The Swedish team for the 2016 Rio Olympics is as follows:
Patrik Kittel and Deja, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare (Silvano-Donellie, Don Schufro) owned by Marie Harward
Therese Nilshagen and Dante Weltino OLD, a 9-year-old Oldenburg stallion (Danone-Rihanna, Welt Hit II) owned by Dressurpferde Leistungsz and T. Nilshagen
Juliette Ramel and Buriel K.H., a 10-year-old KWPN gelding (Osmium-Ronja K.H., Krack C) owned by La Pomme HB
Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén and Don Auriello, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Don Davidoff-Wey o Mey, White Star) owned by Lövsta Stuteri/Antonia Ax:son Johnson