Germany’s show their strength ahead of Dressage team final

Team Germany overtook the first-day leaders from Denmark when the Grand Prix drew to a close at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles (FRA) today, giving them a big boost as they continue on their mission to lift their 15th Olympic Dressage team title.

Great rides from Isabell Werth with Wendy and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Dalera secured pole position at the end of the competition that decided the 10 best nations qualified for Saturday’s medal-decider, the Grand Prix Special, in which all teams will start from scratch.

Joining the defending Olympic team champions, and the feisty Danish side who look set to challenge them every inch of the way, will be the British who finished third ahead of The Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, France, Austria, Finland and Australia. 

There was less than two percentage points between the two top sides, Germany completing with 237.546 while the Danish total was 235.730. The British were not far behind on 231.196.
 
Meanwhile, the 18 athlete/horse combinations that have made the cut for Sunday’s Individual medal decider, the Grand Prix Freestyle, are also confirmed. The finalists are made up of the best two from each of the six qualifying groups plus the six next highest ranked.

The 18 through to the Freestyle are: - Jessica von Bredow-Werndl/Dalera (GER), Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour/Freestyle (DEN), Isabell Werth/Wendy (GER), Charlotte Fry/Glamourdale (GBR), Nanna Skodborg Merrald/Zepter (DEN), Dinja van Liere/Hermes (NED), Carl Hester/Fame (GBR), Daniel Bachmann Andersen/Vayron (DEN), Isabel Freese/Total Hope OLD (NOR), Frederic Wandres/Bluetooth OLD (GER), Becky Moody/Jagerbomb (GBR), Emmelie Scholtens/Indian Rock (NED), Patrik Kittel/Touchdown (SWE), Victoria Max-Theurer/Abegglen FH NRW (AUT), Therese Nilshagen/Dante Weltino OLD (SWE), Pauline Basquin/Sertorius de Rima Z (FRA), Emma Kanerva/Greek Air (FIN) and Sandra Sysojeva (POL), the latter something of a sensation as her mare, Maxima Bella, is only eight years old.

Target score
 
Reigning world champions, Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale, raised the target score to 78.913% when pathfinder this morning. 

“First to go on the second day is not always the best position, but I think in this weather (it was another very hot day) it was really to our advantage. Glamourdale doesn’t know that, he just goes in and sees the crowd and he had a great time in there! And I think the moment at the end was very special, with him very relaxed, on a long rein and enjoying the cheering and the flags waving!”

 

Charlotte Fry

(GBR)

“That test is what we needed to do today. Our whole team the last two days has really performed amazingly and really put us in a good position for the weekend”, she added. 

However, 30 minutes later, Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour pushed the target even further when posting 80.792% for a lovely test with Freestyle. The mare won double bronze with Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Tryon (USA) in 2018, but has been out of top sport for a number of years more recently. Laudrup-Dufour took up the reins towards the end of 2023, and although they are still finding their way together the new partnership is clearly blossoming. 

Plan

“My plan today was to not push her but just see what she offered. When I picked up the first passage I said to her - you just give me whatever you want and then I'm just gonna say what we are supposed to do. So I'm really proud of her, and I think it was a perfect start for me and her at the Games here in Paris!”, said the Danish star who took team gold and double silver at the FEI World Championship in 2022 with Vamos Amigos.

Talking about building an understanding with Freestyle, she explained, “the main thing has been to really create a proper friendship with her, not just like, pretending, but really see if she could allow me in there, which she did quite quickly. I was quite amazed. Animals are amazing if you treat them well and show them trust. Another key word for me has been respectful leadership. Because in some way I had to be the leader to show her around in a dressage test but at the same time respect where she's coming from, because she's a skilled young lady. She has done a lot and she has been educated amazingly, and she is a performer”, Laudrup-Dufour pointed out.

High score

This first group of the day produced yet another high score when, last to go, Germany’s Isabell Werth put 79.363% on the board with her new ride, Wendy. 

“She was so focused and so with me that it was amazing!”, said the multiple champion who is competing at her seventh Olympic Games. “We have only done six or seven Grand Prix, but it’s so amazing how we are growing together and how honest she is to me”, she said. 

Werth is determined to help the young mare develop, improve and reach her maximum potential. “You can only do that in competition, so Aachen (in June) was really helpful, with three competitions there. She is only a 10-year-old horse and as they get older they get more muscles, they get more power, they get more experience so everything works together. Riding her is really a pleasure”, she added.

Her result bolstered Team Germany’s chances when added to Frederic Wandres’ score of 76.118% from yesterday with Bluetooth OLD. But, with the last ride of the day in the final group, defending Olympic double-gold medallists Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Dalera needed to top up the German total if they were to overtake the Danes and remind everyone that they will be the ones to beat on Saturday.

Style

And they did it in their own inimitable style when scoring 82.065% to seal the deal with dignity and grace. It looked effortless for the 17-year-old mare, whose record includes five European gold medals, back-to-back FEI Dressage World Cup™ titles and team gold at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2018 along with her Olympic medal haul from Tokyo three years ago.

“It was a fantastic feeling inside the arena and breathtaking to see how the audience carried us into the ring! I’m happy because I had some hiccups in the Grand Prix at the German Championships in Balve which was the rehearsal for here. But sometimes when the rehearsal is bad then the performance is good, and that’s how it worked out!”

 

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl

(GER)

She didn’t hold back during the test. “I was really going for it, I took full risk in the extensions and the extended canter! There were two tiny things that didn’t go right but that’s good because now I know there is room for improvement and I can focus on that”, she pointed out.

But she is well aware that Denmark’s Dufour is a major threat and could swing the balance in both the team and individual medal-deciders.

“I didn’t see Cathrine’s test but I know she also had a mistake, so it’s clear she was closer to me than it looks in the result”, von Bredow-Werndl said.

The Danes indeed look ready to tip the scales in their favour if they can. There’s a real cohesion in the team that all three of them have mentioned this week, and Laudrup-Dufour emphasised it again today.

“Nanna (Skodborg Merrald) and I have been riding together since she was four and I was five at her mom's riding school for 15 years. It's not like we see each other every week, but we are really close and we trust each other. I've been in the team many, many, many times, but this team (which includes Daniel Bachmann Andersen) I trust with everything I have, and that's sort of the best feeling you can ride into the arena with really!”, she said.

The battle for Olympic Dressage team glory will resume on Saturday and looks set to be a thriller….

How the Grand Prix Special will play out…..

Competitors will be divided into three groups of 10 with one Athlete/Horse per National Federation in each group. The order-of-go for each group will be decided by the Chef d’Equipe.

After Group 1 and Group 2 have competed there will be a break (45-60mins). and an Intermediate team standing will be established. Group 3 will start in reverse order of the intermediate team standing.
  
Substitutions can only be made between today’s FEI Grand Prix and up to two hours before the start of FEI Grand Prix Special (3 August). An Athlete/Reserve Horse that is substituted in cannot compete in the Grand Prix Freestyle.

FULL RESULTS

Danes take a hold as Dressage gets underway

Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Zepter threw down the biggest score on the opening day of Dressage at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles (FRA) today, and the Danish team, holders of the World Championship title, now look set to present a mighty challenge to the rest of the field.

The Grand Prix is a qualifier for both the Team Final which takes place on Saturday (3 August) and the Individual Final on Sunday (4 August). The best two horse and athlete combinations from each of the three groups of 10 competing both today and tomorrow will go through to Sunday’s Grand Prix Freestyle along with the next six highest scorers, while the top 10 teams will qualify for Saturday’s Grand Prix Special which will decide the fate of the team medals.

Skodborg Merrald and Zepter were second to step into the awesome arena at Versailles this morning, posting a score of 78.028% that was never bettered. And she feels that she and her horse have a lot more to offer.

“I think I had a really good solid test without big mistakes but also plenty of room for improvement. I think in my changes I couldn’t have done a lot better, but in piaffe-passage and the pirouettes there's still room for asking for more.”

Nanna Skodborg Merrald

(DEN)

The other pair to qualify for the Individual Final from the first group was The Netherlands Dinja van Liere, who was delighted to post 77.674% with the 14-year-old stallion Hermes. 

“I was very happy at the end but a bit stressed before because I really wanted to do a good test of course! We’ve done a lot of competitions, but Olympics are just something else!”, the 33-year-old Dutch athlete said.

She was pleased that Hermes coped well with the heat which grew in intensity as the day progressed. “I think also maybe because of the heat he was quite relaxed and I really could ride him. He was a bit spooky in one corner so there were a couple of bits of tension, a couple of mistakes but I was just very happy with him,” she said.

Having lost out on competing in Tokyo due to a paperwork issue for the horse and then some time out for Hermes while recovering from an injury, van Liere is delighted to have him here in Paris. “We have had just this one goal - and we made it - this really is just a dream!”, she said.

Set the target

In the second group, Germany’s Frederic Wandres set the target at 76.118% when second to go with Bluetooth OLD. 
 
“I have to say thank you to all of those spectators sitting there and watching for hours, this is what makes the atmosphere so special and I really felt that Bluetooth enjoyed it to go in there - he became proud and I was very happy! It is 35 degrees but maybe I had a little bit of a plus point because I was already now four seasons in Wellington (Florida, USA) for our winter season so he's a little bit used to perform in higher temperatures, but always those hot temperatures are something special!”

However, the strength of the Danes became ever more evident when Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Vayron bettered that when putting 76.910% on the board as last to go of this group.

His 13-year-old stallion competed in the Danish side that took bronze at last year’s European Championship, but the horse has matured greatly since then and showed even more confidence and a lot more power today.

“I'm so proud to represent my country at an Olympic Games for the first time and then do a personal-best score by almost a whole percentage - that's quite a thing!”, said the 34-year-old. 

He said it felt like Vayron was on “autopilot” today. “He is now in his second year of Grand Prix so it’s not that he's very experienced, but he's just getting better and stronger and more and more with me. I can't even explain how proud I am of this fantastic horse. He is a bit innocent and a bit shy behind that big, extreme horse you can see, but he just believed he could do it. It couldn't have been better, and of course we have a goal here and we have started out really, really well and I know we can do it. We did it in Herning (World Championship 2022 team gold), and we will try and do it here again!”, he said. 

Clearly the Danes have Dressage team gold firmly in their sights.

Big and powerful

In the third group of 10 it was Great Britain’s Becky Moody who posted the biggest score with a brilliant ride on the big and powerful Jagerbomb. The pair only stepped into the British side just days before the Games began. Moody has never competed in a Senior championship, but she didn’t let that get in the way of clinching a place in Sunday’s Freestyle when putting a remarkable 74.938% on the board. 

“That was insane! What a stadium, what a crowd, it was just an amazing experience! And what a horse, he's so special to me because I bred him so we have done everything together!”

Becky Moody

(GBR)

“We were both a little bit nervous and apprehensive, but we helped each other out and I'm just so proud of him. He loves to be out there, the more people watching him the better, so he had a great time!”

Jagerbomb is a big horse, “about 17.3hh, he kind of kept on growing but he's one of the sweetest horses on the yard. If somebody that was a little bit of a beginner wanted to have a sit on something then the Olympic dressage horse would be the one because he just looks after everyone, he is amazing!” 

Although initially she didn’t think he had what it takes to bring him to top level she ended up keeping the horse that has carried her to the very highest level of the sport. So how did his name come about?

“I bred him 10 years ago, and at that point in my life I might have been partial to a Jagerbomb. But also my grandad, who was called Norman, we all called him Bomb, I don't know why, so it was a little bit of a homage to him as well as to the alcoholic beverage!”, she explained with a laugh.

Winning partner

Sweden’s Patrik Kittel took the last of today’s six Individual Final spots with his 2024 FEI World Cup winning partner, the 12-year-old gelding Touchdown. 

“I've ridden in a lot of hotness, but this is probably one of the best ones! Sweden is third after the first day and hopefully tomorrow maybe in the top five, which is our goal, so we can start on Saturday (in the Team Final) so it is very exciting!”, said the man who is competing at his fourth Olympic Games.

As it stands this evening, Denmark holds the lead ahead of Great Britain, Sweden, Belgium, Canada and Portugal as the six nations that have recorded two scores today, followed by The Netherlands, Germany, Finland, France, Spain, Australia, Austria, Poland and the USA. The Americans lost a team member today due to the elimination of Marcus Orlob’s mare Jane who just knocked herself when she got over-excited coming into the arena, so that has left them with just two scores to count, the 72.593% posted today by Adrienne Lyle and Helix and the score that will be posted by Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper tomorrow afternoon. 

The team standings are likely to get a reshuffle tomorrow however because nine of the 15 nations only fielded a single athlete/horse combination today while the leading six countries were all drawn with two to go. 

Putting the British into second place was the 77.345% posted by Carl Hester who is competing at his seventh Olympics, this time with the 14-year-old Fame. Hester’s compatriot Charlotte Fry and her World Championship individual gold medal ride Glamourdale will be first into the arena tomorrow morning at 10.00 local time. 

And of course the top guns from Germany are also about to step onto the stage, the legendary Isabell Werth riding Wendy into the arena at 11.25 tomorrow, while the defending Olympic team and individual champions Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Dalera will bring the day to a close.

As always, the Olympic Games are filled with emotion, and today Belgium’s Larissa Pauluis made a lot of people cry. As she left the arena having produced a lovely test with the 14-year-old gelding Flambeau for a score of 72.127%, she held her hands up to the television cameras and you could clearly read the words “I promised you” on her right hand, and “I did it” on the left, accompanied by a heart symbol.

Asked afterwards what it meant, she explained that her husband died four years ago and, before he passed away, she promised him she would compete in Paris. “It was really a challenge, he never saw me competing even in Grand Prix and I’m here - so it’s wonderful”, she said tearfully.

For one athlete the promise of Paris 2024 is already complete….

FULL RESULTS

Olympic Dressage - draw decides starting places

The Dressage horses came before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Ground Jury yesterday morning in the sunshine at the majestic Versailles (FRA) venue.

Under the watchful eye of Ground Jury President Raphaël Saleh and team, a total of 75 horses, including alternates, from 30 countries  stepped out at the first Dressage Horse Inspection. 

Returning for re-inspection on Tuesday morning (30 July) at 8.00am local time will be Love Me (Zaneta Skowronska-Kozubik - POL), Amplemento (Christian Schumach - AUT) and Malagueno LXXXIII (Jose Daniel Martin Dockx - ESP). 

A total of 15 teams and 15 individual competitors are set to compete in Olympic Dressage.

Dressage has the distinction of fielding the oldest athlete, not just in equestrian sport, but at the entire Paris 2024 Olympic Games - 65-year-old Spanish star and Athens 2004 silver medallist Juan Antonio Jiménez Cobo is ready to wow Versailles fans with 15-year-old grey stallion Euclides Mor.

Draw

The draw for the team medal-deciding Grand Prix, running over two days   (Tuesday 30 July - Wednesday 31 July) with 30 combinations each day, is now live. 

First into the arena at 11.00am local time on 30 July will be Austrian team member Stefan Lehfellner with Roberto Carlos Mt, followed by Denmark’s World Championship team gold medallist Nanna Skodborg Merrald with Zepter.  

Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry, reigning individual World Champion, will lead the way with Glamourdale on day two (31 July), when the team action begins an hour earlier, at 10.00am. 

Each day, athletes will compete in three groups of 10, with Tokyo 2020 double gold-medallists Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and brilliant mare Dalera last to go in Wednesday’s final group. 

Starting List_Dressage_Paris 2024.pdf

How to follow H2R with support for the sport during the Olympic Dressage competitions

H2R will mainly be on SoMe - Instagram and Facebook during the Olympics and for official press releases at Horse2rider web.

H2R French rating of the tests during the Olympics 🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐.

With full support for the riders and their teams for the Olympic Dressage Sport.

#Dressage

Germany bidding for 15th Olympic Dressage team title

Olympic Dressage has long been dominated by Germany. Because since the first edition of the team event in Amsterdam in 1928 only four countries - France, Sweden, what was then the Soviet Union and Great Britain - have ever succeeded in doing so. And with a phenomenal 14 team golds from 21 team contests they arrive at the Paris 2024 Games with a pep in their step once again.

That extra energy is due in no small part to the emergence of a really exciting new partnership between the most decorated athlete in the history of equestrian sport and an exciting new horse. 

At CDIO Aachen 5* a few short weeks ago Werth created a sensation with her performances from the 10-year-old mare Wendy which she only started riding six months ago, posting a hat-trick of victories in the Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle. Scoring 89.95 in the latter she threw down a marker clearly indicating her intentions, and the pair’s selection has given the German team a whole new dimension.

If Wendy takes to the stadium in Versailles with the same level of confidence as she did in Aachen then it’s definitely a game-changer, because when you add that talent to the most consistently successful partnership of recent times in Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Dalera and further solid back-up from Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth OLD then the defending champions looks truly formidable.

Reigning

The British of course have the reigning individual World Champions in their toolkit.

Charlotte Fry, popularly called Lottie, and her black stallion Glamourdale who clinched world championship double-gold in 2022 before going on to take team gold and Freestyle silver at last year’s Europeans were noticeably absent from the competition arena for much of this year. However they did come out to produce a double of wins at the CDI 3* at Aachen, Germany in May and then another two top spots at the 4* at the same venue two weeks ago which suggests they remain a fiercely competitive force to be reckoned with. 

Becky Moody and her 10-year-old home-bred gelding Jagerbomb were British reserves at the 2023 European Championship, and the pair’s third-place finishes in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle at the World Cup leg in London (GBR) last December placed them even further under the spotlight. Runner-up spot in the Grand Prix Special at CDIO5*-NC Compiègne (FRA) in May and third place in the Grand Prix Special at CDIO5*-NC Rotterdam (NED) in June confirmed the form of the big horse and his popular and talented rider who is also a successful coach and horse-producer working from her base in the Yorkshire countryside in England.

Moody regularly travels more than four hours to train with her team-mate Carl Hester whose presence in these Games is enormous. Not only because he, like the inimitable Werth, is something of an institution in the sport but also because of his massive influence as the trainer of so many other successful athletes and their horses. He has always been a great team player, helping his country to that historic first-ever Olympic team gold on home soil in London in 2012 and to silver at the Rio 2016 Games and then bronze in Tokyo three years ago. 

Together these three Britons are sure to make waves when the Paris action gets underway.  

Veteran

It was Team USA that slotted into silver medal position in Tokyo and two members of that side are lining out once again in Paris. 

Steffen Peters is a veteran of five Olympic Games beginning with Atlanta in 1996 where the US team took bronze and he brings his Tokyo ride, the 16-year-old Suppenkasper who finished fifth in the Grand Prix and fourth in the Grand Prix Freestyle at last year’s FEI Dressage World Cup Final in Omaha (USA). Just a few short weeks ago they finished third in the CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle in Aachen (GER) to cement their selection.

Adrienne Lyle, competing at her third Games, brings the 12-year-old gelding Helix who scored numerous victories in Florida (USA) this year before coming to Europe and posting two fifth-placings at Hagen (GER) CDI3* and two runner-up placings CDI4* Kronberg (GER) in June.

Completing the American team is Marcus Orlob who only took over the reins on the 10-year-old mare Jane earlier this year. The pair competed in their first international competition together in March and it’s been a meteoric rise to a place in the US side backed up by good results in Europe too, also at Hagen and Kronberg. 

The reigning world champions and European bronze medallists from Denmark are amongst the 15 countries vying for a place on that Olympic team podium, while in the battle for the individual title the reigning gold and silver medallists are back for more.

And they are both Germans

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl is determined to make it happen when she comes out to defend her individual title with Dalera but Werth, who had to settle for silver in Tokyo, has something of a secret weapon in her new ride Wendy. And there are plenty of others whose stars are just waiting to shine. 

What is Dressage?

Germany bidding for 15th Olympic Dressage team title is about training the horse to a high level, highlighting its athleticism and the beauty of its movement and the harmony between horse and rider.
 
How it will play out…..

The FEI Grand Prix test, in which all athletes must participate, will take place on 30 and 31 July and is a qualifier for both the team (Grand Prix Special) and individual competition (Grand Prix Freestyle). The qualification ranking for the team competition will be decided by the combined results of all three team members in the Grand Prix.

Athletes compete in six groups, with three groups competing on each day. The composition of the groups is based on the FEI World Ranking list position of the horse on the date of definite entries.
The top 10 teams in the Grand Prix (including any team tied for 10th place) will qualify for the FEI Grand Prix Special on 3 August which is the team medal-decider.

The FEI Grand Prix test is also the individual qualifier from which the top 18 will go through to the Grand Prix Freestyle Individual Final on Sunday 4 August.  

The FEI Grand Prix Freestyle test is the Individual Final Competition open to 18 combinations qualified from the FEI Grand Prix. The qualified athletes will be the top two combinations from each of the six groups and the combinations with the six next highest scores.

The Dressage Tests are the FEI Grand Prix, the FEI Grand Prix Special and the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle.
 
Some Facts & Figures

30 countries.

15 teams.

15 countries represented by individual competitors.

60 horse/athlete combinations.

Youngest athlete - 24-year-old Canadian team member Camille Carier Bergeron riding Finnlanderin
Oldest athlete - 65-year-old Juan Antonio Jiminez Cobo from Spain riding Euclides Mor.

Of the 60 athletes competing in Dressage in Paris, 35 (56.65%) are female and  25 (43.35%) are male.

Both British team member Carl Hester, and German team star Isabell Werth will be competing at their seventh Olympic Games.

Both became first-time Olympians in Barcelona in 1992. 

Germany are defending team champions and are chasing down their 15th team title.

In the history of Olympic Dressage, Germany has long been the dominant force taking 14 team and 8 individual titles.

Defending individual champion is Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl riding TSF Dalera BB. Von Bredow-Werndl set a new Olympic record with a score of 84.666 in the Grand Prix Special at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The most medalled athlete in the history of equestrian sport, 55-year-old Isabell Werth from Germany has 12 Olympic medals in her trophy cabinet including six team gold, one individual gold and five individual silver. She claimed her first team gold and individual silver in Barcelona in 1992 and the last at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
 
The Officials

Ground Jury President: Raphaël Saleh (FRA)

Ground Jury Members:

  • Henning Lehrmann (GER)

  • Isobel Wessels (GBR)

  • Mariette Sanders (NED)

  • Magnus Ringmark (SWE)

  • Michael Osinski (USA)

  • Susanne Baarup (DEN)

Judges Supervisory Panel Members: 

  • Andrew Gardner (GBR)

  • Mary Seefried (AUS)

  • Henk van Bergen (NED)

Countries fielding Teams: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and USA. 

Countries fielding Individuals: Brazil, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, India, Ireland, Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco, Moldova, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland and Venezuela.

Full List of Nations: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, USA and Venezuela.

Timetable here 

PODCAST - Besøg hos Daniel Bachmann Andersen inden afrejse til OL

Et besøg hos Daniel inden afrejsen mod OL til en snak om det at skulle afsted som hold igen sammen med Nanna og Cathrine, og med Nadja som ny på teamet. Drømmene om OL, det vigtige samarbejde med hesteejerne, fysisk og mental forberedelse med fuld fokus op opgaven og meget andet. LYT MED 🎧⬇️

FEI announces provisional suspension of Dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin (GBR)

FEI announces provisional suspension of Dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin (GBR)

The FEI has officially announced the provisional suspension of British Dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin (FEI ID: 10028440) effective immediately from the date of notification, 23 July 2024.

This decision renders her ineligible to participate in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games or any other events under the jurisdiction of the FEI.

During this period of suspension, she is prohibited from participating in any activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any competition or event under the jurisdiction of a National Federation (NF). This also includes any FEI or NF-related activities. In addition, the British Equestrian Federation has mirrored this provisional suspension, which also makes Ms. Dujardin ineligible to compete in any national events during this period.

On 22 July 2024, the FEI received a video depicting Ms. Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare. This video was submitted to the FEI by a lawyer representing an undisclosed complainant. According to the information received, the footage was allegedly taken several years ago during a training session conducted by Ms. Dujardin at a private stable.

Upon receiving the video, the FEI promptly initiated an investigation. As part of this investigation, Ms. Dujardin, British Equestrian, and British Dressage were informed of the allegations. Ms Dujardin was given a deadline of 17:00 Swiss time on 23 July to respond to the allegations. Subsequently, Ms. Dujardin confirmed that she is the individual depicted in the video and acknowledged that her conduct was inappropriate.

On 23 July 2024, Charlotte Dujardin requested to be provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the investigations and voluntarily withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and also confirmed that she will not participate in any competitions pending the outcome of the FEI’s investigation. 

The FEI condemns any conduct contrary to the welfare of horses and has robust rules in place to address such behaviour. Our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of equine welfare and sportsmanship remains unwavering.

The FEI acknowledges the cooperation of Charlotte Dujardin, British Equestrian, and British Dressage with the ongoing investigation and intends to proceed as swiftly as possible.

“We are deeply disappointed with this case, especially as we approach the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. However, it is our responsibility and crucial that we address any instances of abuse, as equine welfare cannot be compromised,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“Charlotte has expressed genuine remorse for her actions, and we recognise and appreciate her willingness to take responsibility. Despite the unfortunate timing, we believe this action reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to welfare as the guardians of our equine partners and the integrity of our sport.”

To maintain the integrity of the investigation, the FEI will refrain from making further comments on this matter until the process is concluded.

Final selection days for Danish Warmblood young horses towards World Championships in Ermelo

Today and tomorrow with final selection days for Danish Warmblood young horses for World Championships in Ermelo. Today they had to show the preliminary test and tomorrow with final test.

From today´s and also first selection trail which took place at Vallensbæk end of May, H2R will make the teams for Ermelo today, even though the selectors have one more day.

5 year old

Due to a hoof abcess Straight Horse Sun King was not presented today, but as we´ve seen him and Mette Sejbjerg Jensen for the first trail and they will be at the list for tomorrow, they are on H2R list for Ermelo.

Not presented this time (as Frederikke just came back from successful EC for YR) but shown at first trail was Valiant with Frederikke Gram Jacobsen. A really appealing combination with super movements which will be a great representative for Danish Warmblood.

The best of the 5 yr old horses today was Quater Son with Jan Møller Christensen. Three good paces, and for the subsequent repetition of a few exercises for the judges they showed even more let go and postive power.

Lygum´s Zelina and Victoria Vallentin, show a spectacular trot tour, clear walk and good canter. Light an easy movements.

6 year old

New this time live was Grevens Sirius with Eric Guardia Martinez. Well presented in all three gaits and with well established flying changes makes it into the team.

Today´s best combination was Silje Bakken with Lille Kærgårds Sisco, well presented in a good form (at first trail somewhat short neck), well on the aides for the flying changes and good balance through out the entire test. Super relaxation for the walk.

Valerie B with Anne Mette Strandby Hansen had some serious problems at the first trail for the flying changes, and also show a bit of tensions today, but still a lot to like and a very interesting combination for Ermelo.

Danish Warmblood selectors made following announcement after today: “Special situation: Due to the new situation with Charlotte Dujardin, Quinn G rider changes to Fiona Bigwood. Fiona rides the selection on Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning on video (before the 6 year old class and the final selection) and will therefore be considered on an equal terms with the other combinations.”

7 year old

Today´s absolute strongest performances were from Lyngbjergs St. Paris with Victoria Vallentin and Blue Hors Santiano with Nanna Merrald (full videos below). Both with top presentations.

For both Franklin daughters Faretti with Anne Mette Strandby Hansen and Francisca-D some tensions creeping in during their performances.

128 young horses are ready for Pavo Cup semi finals 25 July

25 July with semi finals and 27 July with the Pavo Cup finals

The start lists are online now for the semi finals of 2024 Pavo Cup which also includes more approved top stallions. Link here.

The 20 best horses in 4 yr old and 5 yr old are selected for the final and 12 best 6 yr old horses from the semi finals will be qualified for the finals.

The best 3 horses from each age category will be qualified for the test rider which this year will be Swedish Jessica Lynn Thomas.

The entire event is available to follow at Clipmyhorse.

Be a Guardian: A fundamental reframing of equestrian care

FEI Press Release

With just days remaining until the start of the equestrian competitions at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, the FEI has introduced the Be a Guardianinitiative, which calls upon members of the community to fully commit to their duties as ‘guardians’ of FEI horses.

Be a Guardian is the central message that unites the community around the FEI Action Plan that was developed from the recommendations outlined in the final report of the independent Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission.

Watch! Horse welfare is paramount – Be a Guardian!

Set up in June 2022 in response to growing public concern over animal welfare, the Commission was tasked with addressing societal concerns about the use of horses in sport and creating a blueprint to future-proof equestrian sports. The Commission also provided advice and recommendations to the FEI to ensure equine welfare is safeguarded through ethical, evidence-based policy and practices.

The term 'guardian' marks an evolution in the FEI's narrative of the horse-human partnership, chosen to better represent the human role in caring for horses and to underscore each individual's responsibility for ensuring horse welfare.

“This shift in terminology is not merely symbolic; it signifies a fundamental change in our approach to equine welfare,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos explained.

“Guardianship precedes partnership, and meeting the horse's natural needs — such as sufficient eating time, social interaction, and exercise — cultivates trust, enabling a thriving relationship between horse and human. A partnership emerges when this trust and mutual understanding pave the way for sporting excellence.

“Through the concept of guardianship, our focus shifts to what is best for the horses, recognising them as unique and valuable beings deserving of human protection, trust, and respect. This evolution redefines the human role as that of a 'caretaker,' with a responsibility to ensure a good life for horses.

“How we frame the issue, shapes how we solve it. By embracing the role of ‘guardians’ for horses, we commit to acknowledging their needs, treating them with respect, compassion, and care, reinforcing our duty to these magnificent animals we live, work, and compete with.”

The Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 represent a significant opportunity for the equestrian community to further develop a culture of enhanced respect and ethical treatment within the sport.

With a comprehensive approach to equine welfare, which includes aspects like transport, accommodation, veterinary care, and post-event support, Paris 2024 is clear about what is required to put horse welfare at the core of the sport.

For the first time at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a position of Equine Welfare Coordinator has been established, with Dr Richard Corde, President of the French League for the Protection of the Horse, appointed to this critical position. He will offer advisory oversight on animal welfare throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games, ensuring all stakeholders adhere strictly to FEI regulations. This new appointment marks a significant advancement in centralising oversight that was previously distributed among stewards, veterinarians, and Ground Jury members.

The FEI, Paris 2024 Organising Committee, and GL Equestrian have worked together to prepare the venue with well-equipped air-conditioned stables, ample outdoor areas, and high-quality footing in the main competition arena, the cross country and all the training arenas, ensuring the comfort and safety of the horses.

Special attention has been given to the seamless and comfortable transportation of horses to and from Versailles. Environmental conditions such as weather, heat, humidity, and air quality are carefully monitored to minimise stress and maximise the horses' well-being.

Stringent health monitoring protocols will be enforced before, during, and after competitions to assess the horses' fitness and maintain their physical and mental health throughout the Olympic Games. A dedicated team of qualified veterinarians and support staff will conduct regular health assessments, promptly addressing any issues that may arise with immediate veterinary care.

Following competitions, meticulous post-event care protocols, including adequate rest periods, will be strictly observed to aid horses in their recovery.

"We cannot prevent every issue, but if we follow these rules and encourage everyone to take responsibility based on our shared values, we can work hard to further improve excellent standards of horse welfare," stated FEI President Ingmar De Vos.

"As we prepare for the Olympic Games, we are eager to display our sport's beauty and our dedication to caring for horses responsibly. Together, we are committed to ensuring that every horse at Paris 2024 receives the care and respect they deserve."

Start lists ready for final Danish selection for WCYH in Ermelo taking place 23 & 24 July

Final Danish selection takes place Tuesday and Wednesday next week 23 & 24 July at Vilhelmsborg. Both days the combinations has to show the final test.

Note from the selection committee:

Due to special circumstances, the following teams are still relevant for the final selection:

Lone Bang Zindorf with Valegro Majlund and Vivianni (6 years). Does not participate in the 2nd selection due to her daughter participating at the EC for ponies. Has ridden 2nd selection for the selection committee.

Frederikke Gram Jacobsen with Valiant (5 years) and Franko Unik (6 years). Does not participate in the 2nd selection due to own participation at the EC for YR. Has ridden 2nd selection for the selection committee at Hovgaard during the Nordic Championship.

Charlotte Dujardin with Quinn G (6 years). Not participating due to departure for the Olympics. Has ridden selection in England.

Nanna Merrald with Blue Hors Santiano (7 years). Participating only on day 1 due to departure for the Olympics.

Common for all above mentioned combinations video has been captured of the rides, so that they can be watched together with the other combinations during the final selection.

Start lists:

5 year old

6 year old

7 year old

PODCAST - Nadja Aaboe Sloth fortæller om rejsen sammen med Favour Gersdorf fra købet som 2 års og nu reserve til OL

Nadja er klar til at debutere sammen med det danske landshold til OL i Paris, hvor hun er reserve sammen med sin 11-årige DV vallak Favour Gersdorf e. Foundation / Leandro, avlet af Inger Marie Andreasen.

H2R besøgte Nadja og Favour igår til en snak om det kommende OL, det at kunne kombinere et civilt job med en international ride karriere, skift af træner fra i mange år at have haft berider Leif Sørensen på sidelinien, til nu at have Rune Willum og meget mere. LYT MED 🎧⬇️

33.500 top price colt by Blue Hors Bondo / Depeche Mode at Westphalian Online Foal Auction

H2R top prices were the 5 above mentioned foals without the auction top price by Blue Hors Bondo.

The top price foal by Blue Hors Bondo, Premium stallion at HANN licensing. Bondo unfortunately never did his performance test he does not fullfil the registration requirements for HB I. The foal therefore receives an animal breeding certificate II.

Here you find the entire list of auction prices.

5 top foals for NRW Online Foal auction with bid up tonight at 7.30 pm

38 dressage foals are at the 83th Westphalian Online Foal auction.

H2R picked 5 top stars for the top prices by For Romance, Bon Courage, Escaneno, V-Power and Escamillo.

Just one month old and look like she will conquer the world - super light footed and supple.

Expressive power girl super feminine.

This combination of dressage and jumping gives the perfect match and from H2R eyes a strong top lines combined with expressive front and strong hind legs.

Again a good combination of suppleness from Escamillo and Zack shortness from Zoom. Here with a very femine filly uphill with super expression.

Suppleness pure with power and format, out of same dam line as this weekends successful Grand Prix horse Facilone with Helen Langehanenberg.

Here you find the entire collection.

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