Medals on the menu for ambitious Michel

5:21pm Thursday 15th May 2008

Michel Assouline is hoping for a prestigious treble at this summer's Paralympic Games.

The British dressage squad coach has already inspired his riders to gold medals at the European and World Championships.

Now he wants to make it a coveted treble in Beijing.

Frenchman Assouline is based in Colne Engaine, where he has lived for three years, and trains his riders both there and at the British training base in Gloucestershire.

And, as he gets ready for this summer's adventure in the Far East, he said: "It's very exciting and preparations are going well.

"We have around 15 riders - male and female, from all over the country - in contention for a place in the squad and that figure needs to be reduced to six or seven.

"They have one more qualifying competition to come, at Hickstead early next month, and then the team will be officially finalised on June 16."

Assouline, who is assisted by wife Mette and was crowned UK Dressage Trainer of the Year in 1995, has 25 years' of experience, having graduated from the National Equestrian School in France in 1977.

He then established himself as a rider and trainer in America and Germany.

The 50-year-old has been a regular competitor down the years, with several international successes.

With his Grand Prix mare Annastasia (Hanoverian, by Akzent II) they were consistently well-placed during 2000, winning the Ardingly Premier League Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Kür.

They were also fifth in the Grand Prix Kür at Hamburg and Hickstead, second in the Hickstead Derby and won the French National Championship in October 2000.

Then, with Louis Feraud, a 12-year-old British-bred horse by Lord David S, they won several large tour classes during 2006.

Assouline, who is fluent in French, German and English and has taught riders of all levels across Europe, is also involved in a consultancy capacity with the British Olympic squad bound for Beijing.

"I'd like to be more involved but there just isn't enough time," he said.

"I've been head coach for three years now so this is the first time I've been involved in preparing a squad for the Paralympic Games.

"I feel confident, though, as we've already been successful at the European Championships, in 2005, and last year's World Championships.

"Hopefully we can be successful again in the summer."

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