Dutch Team Confirmed for European Youth Driving Championship Osorhei
The nominated entries for the FEI European Young Drivers Championship in Osorhei, Romania (12–16 August) closed last week. Ahead of the deadline, organisers announced that a decision on the number of individual competitors allowed in addition to the national teams would be made shortly after entries closed.
That confirmation has now arrived: each nation may field up to eight competitors per age category, meaning that every Dutch athlete who was nominated has officially secured a place at the championship.
The Dutch entries are:
Children (12–14 years, Single Pony)
- Bryan Limpens with Bruintje
- Lianne Limpens with Goldsberg’s Clay
- Léon van Rooijen with Oreo Dark Prince
Juniors (14–18 years, Single Pony)
- Daan Douwes with Felix
- Liza Beekhuiszen with Rans Coca Cola
Under 25 (16–25 years)
Single Pony
- Lysanne Goedkoop with Milford Fair Harvest Moon
- Renate Provoost with Quibus
Single Horse
- Ruben Ouwendijk with Jan
- Daphne Pouwels with Frido
The Dutch team for the Nations Cup competition will consist of two drivers from each age category and will be announced at a later date.
New Team, New Energy
Preparation for the European Championship began early this spring. Through training sessions, observation events and intensive coaching, young drivers with championship ambitions were given the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their potential.
The Netherlands won team gold at the previous European Championship in Sweden for the second consecutive time. However, Chef d’Équipe Magda Coppoolse remains realistic.
"There’s no guarantee we’ll simply win another medal. Of course, we’ll do everything we can to get back onto the podium, but we’re working with a completely new team that includes several less experienced drivers."
Turnover within the team is both inevitable and one of the key objectives of youth driving, as drivers progress into higher age categories and eventually senior competition while new talent continues to emerge.
Several familiar faces return from the 2024 championship, including Bryan Limpens, Daan Douwes, Liza Beekhuiszen and Renate Provoost. Beekhuiszen claimed individual gold in the Pony Pairs class in 2024 and will compete this year in the Single Pony division.
Final Preparations
The Dutch youth programme is coordinated by the Stichting Jeugdmennen Nederland. Trainers Bram Chardon, Christiaan Provoost and Mark Weusthof have overseen the preparation programme throughout the season.
In Romania, Provoost and Weusthof will provide the team’s technical support. This weekend, the full Dutch squad will attend a final training camp in Ermelo to complete the last stage of their preparations.
Looking Ahead to Osorhei
Although this year’s championship takes place outside central Europe, the event is expected to attract a strong field. Nearly 120 young drivers from 18 nations are set to compete in Osorhei.
In addition, 11 countries will field complete national teams, ensuring a highly competitive championship—exactly what you would expect at a European Championship.
Source: Stichting Jeugdmennen
Photos: Wilco van Driessen
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