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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?
Dressage 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:
Judges Supervisory Panel Members:
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
Complete List of Athletes/Horses here
Check the Paris 2024 Press Kit here
The world’s best Eventing horses and riders will be first out of the starting blocks when the equestrian action gets underway at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles (FRA) tomorrow morning with the opening dressage test.
A total of 81 horses, including alternates, came before Ground Jury President Christina Klingspor (SWE) and Ground Jury Members Xavier Le Sauce (FRA) and Robert Stevenson (USA) at this morning’s first Horse Inspection which began with some gentle rain in the air.
A total of four horses were held over for re-inspection before being passed fit to compete. They were Cash in Hand (Noor Slaoui – MAR), Toubleu de Rueire (Melody Johner- SUI), Golden Midnight (Malin Asai – SWE) and Banzai du Loir (Yasmin Ingham – GBR).
One additional horse, DSP Fighting Line (Lea Siegl) AUT, was reinspected and did not pass.
Late change
There has been a late change to Team USA’s line-up following the withdrawal of Will Coleman’s Diabolo. Elisabeth Halliday and Nutcracker have moved up from the alternate position to join Boyd Martin (Fedarman B) and Caroline Pamukcu (HSH Blake) in the US side, while Sydney Elliott and Diamantaire have been promoted to the alternate reserve position.
The horses are enjoying the fabulous facilities at the venue in Versailles and were brimming with energy and excitement as they strutted their stuff before the panel today.
One particularly enthusiastic chap was the lovely bright chestnut gelding Altier d’Aurois who nearly overshot the runway because he was so busy showing himself off in front of the officials and media. His rider, Ecuador’s Nicolas Wettstein, could only smile.
Draw
The draw has been made, and the order-of-go for teams is as follows: 1, Germany; 2, Australia; 3, Canada; 4, Ireland; 5, Switzerland; 6, USA; 7, Poland; 8, Sweden; 9, Great Britain; 10, Brazil; 11, New Zealand; 12, Japan; 13, Italy; 14, Netherlands; 15, France; 16, Belgium.
German team member and defending individual Olympic champion Julia Krajewski will lead the way with Nickel 21 at 09.30 local time followed by Australia’s Shane Rose and Virgil, while Canada’s Michael Winter and El Mundo will go third and Ireland’s Sarah Ennis and Action Lady M will be fourth into the arena.
All combinations will do their dressage tests tomorrow and there will be a break after the 30th pair into the ring - USA’s Elisabeth Halliday and Nutcracker who will take their turn at 12.54. The action will resume at 14.15 with Poland’s Jan Kaminski and Jard and will be completed when Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Origi finish their test at approximately 18.22.
The dressage test is 2024 Olympic Games 5* test (short).
Great Britain is defending the team title and Germany’s Krajewski - who in Tokyo became the first-ever woman to win individual gold in Eventing with the great mare Amande De B’neville - will also be chasing a back-to-back double when setting the stage for all the rest as pathfinder with her 10-year-old gelding Nickel 21 who has shown some excellent recent form.
The defending champions from Great Britain are bidding to become the first-ever five-time Eventing team champions when the equestrian events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games spring into action in two days’ time.
The British victory in Tokyo three years ago was the crest of a wave that carried them on to complete domination at the European Championship 2021 in Avenches (SUI) a few months later where they collected team gold and the entire set of individual medals. And although things didn’t go as planned at the World Championship in Pratoni (ITA) in 2022 where the team had to settle for fourth place, 25-year-old Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir claimed the individual title.
They were back in formidable form when taking team gold and individual gold and silver at last summer’s European Championship in France. And, completely spoiled for choice due to the calibre of their pool of contenders, they arrive in Paris with world number one Rosalind Canter riding Lordships Graffalo, Laura Collett with London 52, Tom McEwen partnering JL Dublin and Ingham and Banzai du Loir as reserves.
It’s a sparkling selection. Canter’s 12-year-old gelding claimed the coveted Badminton trophy in May 2023 before taking individual European gold three months later, Collett and her now 15-year-old gelding were on the gold medal winning team in Tokyo in 2021, posted a record winning score at Badminton in 2022 and won Luhmühlen 5* last June before becoming European team gold medallists in August.
McEwen was also in the victorious Tokyo side three years ago with Toledo de Kerser and this time is partnered with the 13-year-old gelding JL Dublin that carried compatriot Nicola Wilson to European double-gold in 2021. The new pairing got off to a flying start last year when runners-up at 5* Lexington in April, parted company at the European Championship in August, finished third at 5* Pau in September and were second again at Lexington this year.
Format
No matter how strong they look however the Olympic three-per-team with no drop-score format, first introduced in Tokyo three years ago, will ensure they will have to be at their very best from the outset in Paris. And they have plenty of super-tough competition.
Like Great Britain, Germany has four Olympic team gold medals in the bag and when Julia Krajewski won individual gold with Amande de B’Neville in Tokyo she was the first female athlete to do so. She is back in the side again in Paris following the late withdrawal of Sandra Auffarth’s Viamant du Matz, and joins Christoph Wahler (Carjatan S) and Michael Jung (Chipmunk FRH) as they also strive for that record first five-time team victory.
Jung is likely to be particularly hungry for success, as the man who took double-gold in London in 2012 and team silver along with the individual title again in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 has been out of luck at more recent championships.
Krajewski’s brilliant mare, Amande de B’Neville, was retired after winning that historic individual gold in Tokyo and then carrying her to team gold and individual silver at the 2022 World Championship. Originally the team reserve, she has moved into the side with the talented 10-year-old gelding Nickel 21 with which she won the CCIO4*-S at Aachen (GER) earlier this month. Wahler and Carjatan were on both the world championship winning team in 2022 and the silver-medal-winning side at last year’s European Championship.
Australia took team silver in Tokyo and they return with two of the same combinations in Kevin McNab with Don Quidam and Shane Rose with Virgil, while completing the side is Christopher Burton partnering Shadow Man.
Rose’s reputation for courage and tenacity, even when the odds are stacked high against him, is second to none. He lines out in Paris with his soul-mate Virgil who he rode to tenth place individually in Tokyo having previously taken team silver at the Beijing 2008 Games and bronze in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
McNab and Don Quidam finished 14th individually in Tokyo while third team member, Christopher Burton, joined Rose on that bronze-medal-winning team in Rio eight years ago before transferring his allegiance to the Jumping arena in 2022. However when offered the ride on British eventer Ben Hobday’s Shadow Man in the spring of this year he turned his focus back to Eventing, and he will be lining out at his third Games.
The French
The French took team bronze in Tokyo and field two members of that side who are also former gold medallists. It’s the same line-up of riders that took bronze at last year’s European Championship but there is one change of horse, as this time 2004 team champion Nicolas Touzaint brings the 11-year-old Diabolo Menthe.
Rio 2016 gold medallist Karim Florent Laghouag will partner his Tokyo 2020 ride Triton Fontaine, and completing the line-up will be Stephan Landois and Chaman Dumontceau who joined Touzaint and Laghouag to clinch that European bronze last summer on home ground at Haras du Pin.
There are many more strong nations also bidding for a place on the podium including the USA and New Zealand who took world championship silver and bronze respectively in 2022, and many exciting individuals too. So the stage is set for a fascinating three days of superb sport starting with Dressage on Saturday 27 July which will be followed by Cross-Country on Sunday 28 and the final Jumping phase on Monday 29.
Eventing has already stolen the spotlight at these Games. Two weeks ago Thibaut Vallette, who joined Laghouag on that gold-medal-winning team in 2016, carried the Olympic Torch through Paris in an emotional celebration on Bastille Day dressed in full uniform and flanked by other horsemen from the world-famous Cadre Noir.
It was a symbolic image and a fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of Eventing which has been embedded in the story of the Olympic programme for well over a century.
What is Eventing?
Once known as “The Military” because it was a test for cavalrymen and their horses, Eventing is the most comprehensive test of horse and rider, combining the separate disciplines of Dressage, Cross Country and Jumping, with results from each phase totalled for a final score. It is the lowest score that wins, both for the team and individual medals.
It has been an Olympic sport since 1912.
How it will play out…..
The Team and Individual competitions will run concurrently over three consecutive days from 27 to 29 July. Dressage tests will be completed on Saturday 27 July, the Cross Country test will be staged on Sunday 28 July and the final Jumping phase will take place on Monday 29 July.
Dressage Test: 2024 Olympic Games 5* test (short).
The top 25 will qualify for the Individual Jumping Final which will take place after the Team Jumping Final on 29 July.
Horses can be substituted for the team competition, and a horse/athlete combination may be substituted by a reserve combination for medical/veterinarian reasons in any of the three tests after the start of the competition.
Substitution will incur a penalty for the team of 20 points. One substitution per team is permitted.
The Athlete rides the same Horse throughout all three tests for the Individual classification.
There will be two horse inspections - on Friday 26 July, the day before the Dressage phase begins, and on 29 July before the final Jumping phase takes place.
A drawn starting order will be used for the Dressage and Cross-Country tests, but in the final Jumping test horse/athlete combinations will go in reverse order of merit.
Some Facts and Figures:
27 countries
16 teams
65 horse/athlete combinations
11 countries represented by individuals
Australia, Germany, Great Britain and USA share the biggest number of team victories in Olympic Eventing history with four each.
Australia, victors in Rome in 1960, has the unique record of winning three team titles in a row - at Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996 and on home ground in Sydney in 2000.
Team Great Britain are the defending Olympic team champions.
Sweden claimed a hat-trick of team gold. Their last victory was posted in Helsinki in 1952.
Both France and The Netherlands have claimed the team title twice while Italy stood top of the team podium just once, in Tokyo in 1964 when team member Mauro Checcoli and Surbean also clinched individual gold.
Germany holds the record for most individual Olympic Eventing titles with a total of five.
The first German athlete to take the top step of the podium was Ludwig Stubbendorf who rode Nurmi to victory in Berlin in 1936.
German riders have won all of the last four Olympic individual titles - Hinrich Romeike, riding Marius, reigned supreme in Beijing in 2008, Michael Jung and Sam were untouchable for gold at both London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Julia Krajewski steered Armande de B’Neville into pole position in Tokyo three years ago.
When the Olympic Games were last staged in Paris in 1924, The Netherlands claimed team gold and team member Adolph van der Voort van Zijp claimed the individual title with Silver-Piece.
History was made when the USA’s Lana du Pont was the first woman to compete in an Olympic three-day-event in Tokyo in 1964.
Julia Krajewski made history as the first-ever female athlete to claim the Olympic individual Eventing title when coming out on top at the Tokyo 2020 Games held in 2021.
At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games a total of 23 female riders (31.51%) will compete in Eventing alongside 42 (68.49%) male athletes.
Germany’s Michael Jung is one of three back-to-back individual Olympic Eventing champions.
The first was The Netherlands Charles Pahud de Mortanges who rode Marcroix to victory on home ground in Amsterdam in 1928 and again in Los Angeles four years later.
Kiwi legend, Sir Mark Todd, was back-to-back champion with Charisma in Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988.
Jung recorded his back-to-back double in London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
The Officials
Technical Delegate: Marcin Konarski (POL)
Assistant Technical Delegate: Gaston Bileitczuk (FRA)
Ground Jury President: Christina Klingspor (SWE)
Ground Jury Members:
Course Designer: Pierre Le Goupil (FRA)
Countries fielding teams:
Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and USA.
Countries fielding individuals:
Austria, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Hungary, Morocco, Portugal, South Africa and Spain.
Complete List of Nations:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and USA.
Timetable here
Complete List of Athletes/Horses here
Image by FEI / Libby Law
With just days until the equestrian competitions begin, the first sound of hooves has echoed through the historic grounds of Versailles, signalling the arrival of some of the most elite equine athletes in the world.
The arrival of the Eventing horses today, will be followed by the Dressage horses in two days, with the Jumping horses scheduled to arrive on 28 July. For these four-legged Olympians who have been training hard to compete on a global stage, their accommodation is nothing short of a five star rating.
Four-Legged athletes deserve five-star facilities
The stables at Versailles are more than just a place to rest. Each horse will enjoy a spacious 4m x 3m box with rubber mats and locally-sourced bedding of straw or shavings, ensuring comfort and sustainability. These horses are also attended to by dedicated grooms who will provide personalised care.
Versailles is not just about stabling. The grounds provide ample areas for grazing and exercise, three sand rings for lunging, six exercise areas –including one covered area –plus a gallop track and dedicated grazing zones. It is a comprehensive setup designed to ensure that each horse can thrive and perform at their best.
A team of highly experienced farriers service the horses with individually adapted hoof care.
Staying cool and calm in Versailles
Staying comfortable in the Paris summer will not be a problem for these equine athletes who will benefit from state-of-the-art cooling systems installed in their stables.
The FEI has implemented advanced climate monitoring using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index. Should temperatures rise, the FEI is ready to activate Heat Mitigation Protocols, proven effective during the Tokyo 2020 Games in keeping horses cool and comfortable.
Strategically placed shade tents, misting fans, and mobile cooling units are scattered throughout the venue, alongside plenty of water points and wash-down areas, ensuring hydration and comfort for all. With a focus on welfare, the horses will be monitored using cutting-edge thermal imaging technology to detect and prevent overheating, allowing them to be in peak condition for competition.
Veterinary care - par excellence
A world-class veterinary team is on standby, ready to provide top-notch care and support for the equine athletes. With a full-time staff that includes specialised veterinarians, imaging experts, and equine physical therapists, the horses at Versailles will receive the best medical attention if needed.
Safety First: Rigorous biosecurity measures
Horses will be under strict biosecurity protocols throughout their stay in Versailles, overseen by the FEI Veterinary Commission and a dedicated biosecurity team.
Daily health checks, temperature monitoring, and thorough cleaning and disinfection practices will ensure the highest standards of hygiene and safety.
“The monitoring of Olympic horses begins 15 days prior to their arrival at the venue,” explained FEI Veterinary Director Göran Åkerström.
“Each team is required to take and record their horse's temperature daily using the FEI Horse App.
“Upon arrival, the horses are unloaded and examined by the Paris 2024 Veterinary Team to ensure they are in good health. Horses that pass this examination are installed in the stables by discipline, while those that do not are placed in isolation stables. Follow-up monitoring continues for 15 days after they leave the venue to ensure traceability for biosecurity reasons.”
The equestrian events at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 are scheduled to run from 27 July to 6 August.
All images by FEI / Ben Clark
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.
Correction: The FEI announced initially that Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) has been provisionally suspended for a period of six months. In fact, the provisional suspension will remain in place pending the outcome of the investigation/disciplinary proceedings and the opening sentence should read “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.”
When equestrian sport first became part of the Olympic Games, Team Sweden was an unstoppable force taking Jumping gold in Stockholm in 1912, in Antwerp in 1920 and in Paris in 1924. They had to wait 97 years before taking their fourth team title in Tokyo in 2021, but nobody is betting against them making it a fabulous five when the action gets underway at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games next week.
Sweden has dominated the Jumping landscape since that Tokyo victory, taking the World Championship team title in 2022 and the European Championship team title in 2023 while team-member Henrik von Eckermann has stood top of the individual world rankings for the last two years and doesn’t look likely to yield that position anytime soon. So much so that individual Olympic gold is clearly in his sights this time around having clinched back-to-back World Cup titles with his wonderful 14-year-old gelding King Edward who finished just off the podium, in fourth place, three years ago.
Chef d’Equipe, Henrik Ankarcrona, has all three riders from that Tokyo team on call-up and two of the same horses, King Edward and Malin Baryard-Johnsson’s feisty mare Indiana, the latter the alternate selection this time around.
Peder Fredricson who already had team and individual silver medals from previous Games before taking both team gold and individual silver in Tokyo with All In, will partner the 18-year-old Catch Me Not S. And the third Swedish team member is also a veteran, the multi-medalled Rolf-Göran Bengtsson who will bring the 12-year-old stallion Zuccero HV as he lines out at the sixth Games of his sparkling career.
Other nations
Of course 19 other nations will also be battling for the top step of the podium including the Tokyo 2020 silver medallists from the USA and Team Belgium who took the bronze.
Historically, Germany holds the record for the greatest number of Olympic Jumping gold medals with five individual and eight team titles. They won in Berlin in 1936 and were back-to-back champions in Stockholm in 1956, Rome in 1960 and Tokyo in 1964, winners again in Munich in 1972 and in Seoul in 1988, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney in 2000.
The only other country to post back-to-back team gold is the USA. They have topped the podium three times, first in Los Angeles in 1984 and then winning twice in a row at Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008. Notably McLain Ward was on both of those last two winning sides and his exceptionally consistent Olympic record also includes team silver in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and again in Tokyo in 2021. He lines out once again in Paris next week.
If current form is anything to go by however then the considerably smaller nation of Ireland could be the one to beat. The Irish have been hugely impressive in Nations Cup competitions in recent years and scooped team silver at last year’s European Championship. They were ranked the No. 1 country in the world as 2024 began, and their spectacular victory on the hallowed ground of Aachen (GER) just a few short weeks ago suggests they will definitely be ones to watch.
But those European Championships in Milan (ITA) last summer were a reminder that, in equestrian sport, absolutely nothing is predictable. Even the team members themselves seemed to be completely taken aback when Austria pushed the mighty Germans off the medal podium to take team bronze.
Individual
Meanwhile all three Tokyo individual medallists will be in action again.
Great Britain’s Ben Maher, who steered the brilliant Explosion to victory three years ago, is currently ranked second in the world and will this time partner the 10-year-old stallion Point Break. Peder Fredricson’s silver-medal-winning All In is now retired so Catch Me Not S is stepping up and has been showing brilliant form this year highlighted by their third-place finish at the World Cup Final in April. And Maikel van der Vleuten returns with the same horse who earned bronze last time around, Beauville Z, who went on to also take individual bronze for the Dutchman at the World Championship in 2022.
The three-per-team format is unforgiving and only the best of the best will qualify for the individual final, so the stage is set for four days of intriguing sport before another page is written into the history book of Jumping at the Olympic Games.
What is Jumping?
Jumping is an equestrian sport in which horse-and-athlete combinations jump knockable fences inside an arena, with penalties for knock-downs, refusals, horse or athlete falls and for going over the time allowed. There are a variety of competitions including speed events, and some will conclude with a jump-off which can be compared to a penalty shoot-out in soccer, and the result is just as unpredictable.
How it will play out….
In a change to the format introduced at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the Team Competition will take place first, followed by the battle for the Individual medals.
The Team Qualifier will take place on Thursday 1 August and is open to 20 teams of three athletes, all starting on a zero score. It will be a one-round Table A against the clock.
Team scores will be decided by adding the penalties and time incurred by all three team members. Athletes who do not start, withdraw, are eliminated or retire from the competition will not be given a score, and their team will be placed according to the combined scores of the remaining two team-members. Three-member teams will be placed ahead of teams of two.
The best 10 teams, including those tied for 10th place, will qualify for the Team Final which will take place on 2 August. It will be a Table A class against the clock over one round with a jump-off for first place in the event of equality of penalties. Starting order will be in reverse order of merit from the first Team competition. Disqualification of a team member will result in disqualification for that team.
The first Individual competition will take place on Monday 5 August and is a qualifier for the Individual Final the following day. It will be a Table A against the clock and without a jump-off. Athletes will place according to their penalties and in case of a tie they will be separated by the time of their round. If still tied, they will be placed equal.
The Individual Final on Tuesday 6 August will bring the equestrian events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to a close. It is open to the 30 best-placed athletes from the first Individual competition and will be Table A, one round against the clock, with a jump-off for first place if there is a tie on penalties. All athletes start on a zero score in the Individual Final and the starting order will be in reverse order of merit following the first Individual competition.
Some Facts and Figures
35 countries
20 teams
75 horse/athlete combinations
15 countries represented by individuals.
Teams will consist of three athlete/horse combinations with all three scores counting for the result.
The youngest competitor in Jumping at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is 21-year-old UAE team member Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi.
The oldest competitor in Jumping is Swedish team member Rolf-Göran Bengtsson who is 62.
No female athlete has ever won Olympic individual gold in Jumping, but Great Britain’s Marion Coakes and the amazing pony, Stroller, claimed Individual silver in Mexico in 1968 while in Munich in 1972 her compatriot, Ann Moore, took silver with Psalm.
Three female athletes have won Individual Jumping bronze - Heidi Robbiani (SUI) at Los Angeles in 1984 riding Jessica V, Alexandra Ledermann (FRA) in Atlanta in 1996 riding Rochet M and Beezie Madden (USA) in Beijing in 2008 riding Authentic.
Three former Olympic Individual gold medalists will line out - Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa (Athens 2004), Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat (London 2012) and the defending Olympic champion Ben Maher from Great Britain who took the top step of the Individual podium in Tokyo three years ago.
A total of 33 riders will be competing at their first Olympic Games in Paris.
A total of 65 horses will compete at Olympic level for the first time.
Pierre Jonquères d'Oriola from France is the only athlete to win the Individual Olympic Jumping title on more than one occasion. Riding Ali Baba he reigned supreme in Helsinki in 1952 and with Lutteur B he was victorious once again in Tokyo in 1964.
Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa will be the most experienced equestrian Olympian at this year’s Games when making his eighth appearance. The 51-year-old Jumping rider previously competed in Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008, London in 2012 and Tokyo in 2021.
A total of seven former Olympic team gold medallists have been listed for Paris - USA’s McLain Ward (Beijing 2008), Great Britain’s Scott Brash and Ben Maher (London 2012), Frenchman Kevin Staut (Rio de Janeiro 2016) and all three members of the victorious Swedish side in Tokyo three years ago - Henrik von Eckermann, Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Peder Fredricson. Baryard-Johnsson is this time listed as team alternate.
The Officials:
Technical Delegate: Guilherme Nogueira Jorge (BRA)
Ground Jury President: Frances Hesketh-Jones (ITA)
Ground Jury Members:
Course Designer: Santiago Varela (ESP)
Co-Course Designer: Gregory Bodo (FRA)
Countries fielding Teams:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, United Arab Emirates and USA.
Countries fielding Individuals:
Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Syria, Thailand and Venezuela.
The complete list of Nations:
Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, USA and Venezuela.
Timetable here https://inside.fei.org/fei/
Full lists here https://inside.fei.org/fei/
The FEI Vaulting World Championships came to a close with the ultimate battle of the nations.
In a record-breaking finale, Team France won back-to-back Nations Team titles scoring 9.239. The combination of the French squad with Yannick Kersulec and Orlof de Conde, Quentin Jabet with Ronaldo 200 NRW and Andrea Boe and Theo Gardies, Sir Sensation and Sebastien Langlois proved impregnable. They led from the start with each combination scoring over 9 points.
Team Germany collected the silver medal in a close fought competition, 8.923. Switzerland had pulled ahead after their two individuals however the German squad performed with precision and left Team Switzerland with another Bronze medal, 8.104.
FEI European Championships for Juniors and Young Vaulters
Germany dominated the Individual Young Vaulter final. Rising from an overnight 5th place, Lisa Marie Wagner moved in unison with family horse Cascais to take home the bronze medal with Mum Katja Wagner lunging (8.118). Sarah Krauss expertly lunged Max for the final two competitors. Gianna Ronca kept her round one silver position (8.364), but it was Mona Pavetic who had the audience on the edge of their seats, creating unique shapes with her movements and earning the top artistic score of the day and with it the European title (8.532).
In the Male category Paul Ruttkovsky improved his round one placing to scoop the bronze medal for Austria (8.104). After a smooth freestyle program, he knocked Germany’s Ben Lechtenberg into fourth. The silver medal went to Frenchman Tom Menand (8.185), but the gold was reserved for Germany once again. Arne Heers added a second European title to the Pas de Deux one he won on Friday. Leading from the start, he was completely in harmony with Cleiner Onkel T OLD and wins his first individual FEI medal along with lunger Sven Henze.
A phenomenal final saw Germany take home the Junior squad title. The undeniable masters vaulted almost to perfection aboard Captain Claus with Gesa Bϋhrig, 8.311. Silver was for Switzerland, 7.899, with Sweden sweeping the bronze for their first Junior squad medal.
It was a sensational week of high-class Vaulting competition in a fabulous venue. The horses shone on the circle and provided magnificent partnerships for the athletes. Medals were won and memories made as we crowned the 2024 FEI Vaulting champions.
Image: Quentin Jabet takes a picture of Team France after winning the Nations Team gold during FEI Vaulting World Championship 2024 Bern (SUI) © FEI/Martin Dokoupil
It was medals galore on what was super Saturday at the FEI Vaulting Championships. Five nations picked up gold medals in a day full of spectacular horse sport.
In a mind-blowing Senior Female final, Austria’s Eva Nagiller took home the Senior World title. She connected with borrowed horse Bastion and lunger Tomasz Ogonowski to produce a gentle and strong freestyle, 8.786. The silver medal went to Germany’s Alina Ross whose connection with family horse Baron R was obvious as she effortlessly performed her zombie Free test, 8.635.
For German sisters Alice and Helen Layer it was a dream come true at their first Senior Championship. Alice held her nerve throughout her routine and was rewarded with the bronze medal, 8.546. Nadja Bϋttiker had to settle for sixth place for the home nation after a time penalty proved incredibly costly.
It was a nail-biting finale in the Men’s competition. Once again, impeccable Vaulting led to an impressive final. Germany’s Thomas Brϋsewitz won his first Senior World medal, performing with character to take home the bronze, 8.636. Then it was all down to France. Theo Gardies entered second to last and with musicality and precision he earned top scores from the judges, piling the pressure onto teammate Quentin Jabet. Jabet moved seamlessly and was fully engrossed in his concept, however it wasn’t enough to hold the gold. Theo Gardies became the World Champion aboard Sir Sensation lunged by Sebastion Langlois (8.881), with the silver medal going home with Quentin Jabet for the second time (8.859).
There was glory for Switzerland in the Pas de Deux, with Zoe Maruccio and Syra Schmid stunning even themselves as a near flawless performance saw them sweep the silver medal (8.491). Germany’s Gisa Sternberg and Linda Otten had some performance errors dropping them one place but winning the bronze medal at their first Championships (8.397). The world title went home to Germany for the third consecutive time. Diana Harwardt and Peter Kϋnne proved themselves to good to be beaten (8.761).
FEI European Championships for Juniors and Young Vaulters
It was an historic day for Denmark as Josephine Vedel Sondergaard Nielsen vaulted her way to victory, winning the Danes their first Junior gold medal, 8.621, with Hanne Hagen Hansen and Tophoejs Geleto Lieto. Mara Hofer delighted the home crowd and with a delicate performance she rose to the occasion and finished in second place 8.329. The bronze medal went to German youngster Amari Santamaria Diaz, 8.280. No mean feat for the thirteen-year-old.
The Male final had a more tense ending. Small errors crept in to the performances of the final competitors leaving everyone on edge ahead of the results. Jakub Roguski won the Bronze medal and the first FEI Junior medal for Poland, 8.115, only a fraction behind Germany’s Lukas Heitmann. Heitmann’s horse trotted at the end of the test before the final dismount, however he managed to complete the test in time and just held on to the Silver medal for Germany, 8.177.
The gold went to Sam dos Santos from the Netherlands and he now has a European title to add to his two world titles. Doemaar struggled a little however Sam’s impeccable body control saw him through, and he was the clear winner with 8.490.
There are still four medals on offer tomorrow on the final day, which will climax with the Nations Team competition. As the energy rises, we will see who has the nerve to be crowned World Champions and the Ultimate team.
On the third day of vaulting competition in Bern (SUI), Germany gave their all and were handsomely rewarded.
The first medals of the FEI Vaulting World Championships were presented in the Squad competition in one of the best ever finals. The Swiss squad were eye-catching and crammed everything into their routine, it was a pleasure to watch and won them the Bronze medal (8.267). The French went big on dismounts and individuality, but it was only enough for the Silver medal, 8.556, as the team from Germany combined high level intricate moves with a near perfect performance to take the gold medal and World title once again, aboard Ecuador 28 with Alexandra Knauf lunging (8.677).
Germany dominated the Senior Pas de Deux, due to a series of unfortunate events for the Italian pairing, Rebecca Greggio and Davide Zanella. They overbalanced in the build up to a very difficult move and fell from the horse, unable to recover their routine and their score, they are sadly out of contention. Diana Harwardt and Peter Kϋnne (GER) showed their skill and won the round with 8.666. They are ahead of compatriots Gisa Sternberg and Linda Otten (8.329). Currently sitting in third are Swiss duo Zoe Maruccio and Syra Schmid. With 8.263, they are on track to win their first FEI medal if they perform another solid round.
FEI European Championship for Juniors and Young Vaulters
In an incredibly impressive and expressive class of Junior Males, Sam dos Santos (NED) now has a commanding lead. He showed impeccable body control throughout his Free Test, winning round one on a total score of 8.458. The German youngster Lukas Heitmann scored only a fraction behind the Dutchman today. His dramatic and flexible program boosted him into Silver medal position overnight (8.208). Jakub Roguski dropped one place, into third, after a penalty for exceeding the time limit. His first-round score is 8.157 and he is looking likely to receive a medal for Poland.
There was a change at the top of the Female Young Vaulter leaderboard after the Technical tests. Despite performing well executed routines, the three Swiss contenders couldn’t find themselves in the top three. Mona Pavetic (GER) stole the lead from teammate Gianna Ronca. Pavetic was fluid throughout her performance and earned top exercise scores (8.292). She leads Ronca by only 0.2. The two girls, competing on Max lunged by Sarah Krauss, will go head-to-head in Sunday’s final. Slovakia’s Sara Solteszova showed a tidy test earning the third best score of the day and propelling her into third (8.042).
Arne Heers held his gold medal position for Germany in the Male Young Vaulter division. With a confident Technical program, he has extended his lead over the rest of the men (8.127). Tom Menand (FRA) was gentle and creative and keeps hold of second in the overnight rankings (7.896) just ahead of Germany’s Ben Lechtenberg who has crept closer to the silver medal (7.863). Austrian, Paul Ruttkovsky has put himself in a good position to potentially land on the podium on Sunday. He is fourth currently with a score of 7.838.
Germany’s Junior Squad, Fredenbeck blew everyone away in the Free test. With absolute precision and attention to detail they captivated the audience scoring a huge 8.654 and are absolutely running away ahead of the rest of the competition (7.801). The squad from Switzerland had some small errors leaving them in second place, 7.397, and Italy have improved their interim position, pulling up into third place after a creative freestyle (7.389).
The final Junior class of the day saw the first medals of the FEI European Championships awarded. The Junior Pas de Deux took to the stage and performed much better than the day before. There was no change at the top and Great Britain achieved their first junior medal since 2013 with Milly and Evie Jessett claiming the Bronze (7.967). First and second place went to Germany. Felix Wöhe and Mia Bury won the round today and the Silver medal (8.120) but they couldn’t catch Arne Heers and Mia Bury who took home the Gold (8.307).
The Post Finance Arena is proving to be a top-class venue for Vaulting competition, and the horses are excelling under the energetic atmosphere created by the vaulting fans. More medals will be on offer tomorrow in what is sure to be another nail-biting day of competition.
The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in an equine anti-doping case involving four (4) Prohibited Substances.
In this case, the horse ANA KS (FEI ID 107CR49 /JOR), ridden by Ahmad Kan’Aan (FEI ID 10071407/JOR) and trained by Ibrahim Fare’Kan’Aan (FEI ID 10040454/JOR), tested positive for the Controlled Medication Substances Dexamethasone, Diclofenac and Meloxicam as well as the Banned Substance Etoricoxib, following samples taken at the CEI2* 120 in Amman (JOR), from 29-30 September 2023.
Neither the athlete nor the trainer were able to provide an explanation as to how those substances entered the horse’s system. The FEI Tribunal found that the presence of four Prohibited Substances in the Horse’s body, all of which have anti-inflammatory effects, is not only rare but also very disconcerting in terms of protection and welfare of the horses, and as such constitutes Aggravating Circumstances.
In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal imposed an ineligibility period of 30-months on both the athlete and the trainer, starting from the date of the Final Decision. The provisional suspension already served by the athlete and the trainer shall be credited against their respective ineligibility period. They were also each fined CHF 10,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 3,000.
The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision.
The full Decision is available here.
Notes to Editors:
FEI Equine Prohibited Substances
The FEI Prohibited Substances List is divided into two sections: Controlled Medication and *Banned Substances. Controlled Medication substances are those that are regularly used to treat horses, but which must have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition. Banned (doping) Substances should never be found in the body of the horse and are prohibited at all times.
In the case of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Banned Substance, the Person Responsible (PR) is automatically provisionally suspended from the date of notification (with the exception of certain cases involving a Prohibited Substance which is also a **Specified Substance). The horse is provisionally suspended for two months.
**Specified Substances
The FEI introduced the concept of Specified Substances in 2016. Specified Substances should not in any way be considered less important or less dangerous than other Prohibited Substances (i.e. whether Banned or Controlled). Rather, they are simply substances that are more likely to have been ingested by horses for a purpose other than the enhancement of sport performance, for example, through a contaminated food substance. Positive cases involving Specified Substances can be handled with a greater degree of flexibility within the structure of the FEI Regulations.
Information on all substances is available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database.
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