USA maintain gold rush with Para Dressage Team triumph in Versailles

USA maintain gold rush with Para Dressage Team triumph in Versailles

Written By Bryn Palmer The United States continued their best Para Dressage performance at a Paralympic Games by edging Netherlands for gold in a dramatic conclusion to the Team event at Château de Versailles. Personal best scores by Individual gold medallists Fiona Howard – a stunning 80.000% on Diamond Dunes in Grade II – and Rebecca Hart, who scored 78.567% with Floratina in Grade III, proved critical after another strong Grade I performance by Individual silver medallist Roxanne Trunnell on Fan Tastico H. That left the USA on a total…

Dutch and USA threaten GBR’s winning streak in Para Dressage team event 

Paris equestrian dressage arena on sand with crowds in stadium seating

Written By Bryn Palmer Great Britain’s unbeaten Paralympic Games streak in the Para Dressage Team event will come under threat on Friday on the third day of competition at Château de Versailles. GBR have taken the team gold in all seven previous Games since Para Equestrian joined the Paralympic programme at Atlanta in 1996. But their winning margin at Tokyo 2020 was only 0.656, scoring 229.905 overall with the Netherlands on 229.249.  The Dutch have enjoyed a strong opening two days in the Individual events at Paris 2024, with Rixt…

Para Dressage: USA earn their stars and stripes on opening day in Versailles

Para Dressage riders in Paris

written by By Bryn Palmer  USA enjoyed a superb opening day of Para Dressage action at Paris 2024 with two golds and a silver in the first three Individual medal events at Château de Versailles. Rebecca Hart on Floratina (Grade III) and Fiona Howard, partnering Diamond Dunes (Grade II), both struck gold before Roxanne Trunnell, double gold medallist from Tokyo 2020, took silver on Fan Tastico H in Grade I behind Rihards Snikus (LAT) and King Of the Dance. The trio of medals already makes Paris 2024 Team USA’s most…

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl takes Gold with Charlotte Fry scooping Bronze

Dressage riders at the olympics holding gold, silver and bronze.

Defending champions, Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and her great mare TSF Dalera BB, secured the Individual Olympic Dressage title for the second time in a row at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Versailles (FRA) today. At the Tokyo 2020 Games they claimed gold ahead of team-mate Isabell Werth riding Bella Rose. And once again this afternoon it was Werth who had to settle for the silver medal spot, this time with her magical new mare Wendy. Bronze today went to Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry and the stallion Glamourdale as…

Olympic Dressage: Germany Top The Leaderboard on Day 2

Dressage horse and rider and the olympics in Paris

Olympic Dressage Day 2: 31st July, 2024 Team Germany overtook first-day leaders Denmark when the Grand Prix drew to a close at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles (FRA) today. Today’s result gives them a big boost as they continue on their mission to lift their 15th Olympic Dressage team title. Great rides from Germany’s Isabell Werth with Wendy and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Dalera secured pole position at the end of the competition. The results from today also helped decide the 10 best nations qualified for Saturday’s medal-decider,…

Keeping Horses Cool in Paris Amid Rising Temperatures

Cooling stations were set up across the Paris 2024 Olympic equestrian venue at Versailles, equipped with cold water, ice, and personnel ready to assist horses with immediate cooling needs. © FEI/Liz Gregg

 Image © FEI/Liz Gregg Keeping horses cool in Paris is the number one game as comprehensive heat and humidity protocols were put in place by the FEI in response to rising temperatures, as Dressage got underway in Versailles today. “While we strive for all equestrian events to take place in optimal climatic conditions, it is often logistically challenging to achieve such conditions,” explained FEI Veterinary Director Göran Åkerström.  “Thanks to our protocols, horses cooled down swiftly and displayed no signs of heat stress, underscoring the efficacy of our climate mitigation…

Team GB Deliver Stellar Performance to Take Olympic Team Gold

riders celebrating olympic sucess gold, silver and bronze all stood on a stadium

Photo Copyright © FEI/Liz Gregg In glorious Versailles sunshine, in front a packed stadium of wildly enthusiastic spectators, the British team of Rosalind Canter (Lordships Graffalo), Tom McEwen (JL Dublin) and Laura Collett (London 52) clinched team gold, while Germany’s Michael Jung (Chipmunk FRH) took the individual Eventing title at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The French hosts had to settle for silver ahead of Japan who held their nerve after having to call up their reserve combination following the final Horse Inspection this morning. This was a record-breaking fifth…

Paris 2024 Eventing: GBR Hold Team Lead After Cross Country

Laura Collett (GBR) riding LONDON 52 during the Eventing Cross Country at the Chateau de Versailles for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Photo Credit: FEI/Benjamin Clark Great Britain continues to hold the lead in the Eventing team competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after a thrilling day of Cross-Country action in the magnificent parkland of Château De Versailles today.   Team Germany – second after yesterday’s opening Dressage phase – today saw a bump off the saddle for Christoph Wahler (Carjatan S) resulting in elimination – putting them 14th of 16 competing nations, as the action resumes with tomorrow’s medal-deciding Jumping phase. To the delight of the thousands of French fans…

Paris 2024 Eventing: GBR Top Leaderboards After Dressage

Laura Collette Riding London 52 in the dressage test at Paris 2024 Olympics

Photo Credit: FEI/Benjamin Clark Great Britain got off to a flying start topping both the team and individual leaderboards today, after the thrilling opening Dressage phase of Eventing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles (FRA) during which multiple records were smashed. Both individual leader Britain’s Laura Collett (London 52) and second-placed Michael Jung from Germany (Chipmunk FRH) broke the Olympic Eventing record Dressage score of 19.3 set by America’s David O’Connor and Custom Made at the Sydney 2000 Games. Collett threw down a superb mark of 17.50 when…

Eventing: Great Britain Bids for Five Time Olympic Glory

Tokyo Olympics riders two bay horses and one grey

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…

Charlotte Dujardin Provisionally Suspended

The FEI has officially announced that Charlotte Dujardin has received provisional suspension effective immediately from the date of notification, 23 July 2024.  This decision to provisionally suspend Britain’s most decorated female rider 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…

Equestrian teams named for Paris 2024

Charlotte Dujardin and Gio (FEI/Christophe Taniere)

British Equestrian has today, Wednesday July 10th, named the official equestrian teams for Paris 2024. Each team will consist of three combinations and one alternate horse and rider. The three disciplines forming the equestrian division in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are dressage, eventing and jumping. Team athlete names are listed alphabetically below, and the running order will be named in accordance with the competition regulations in Paris. GBR Dressage Olympic Team Alternate combination: GBR Eventing Olympic Team Alternate combination:  GBR Jumping Olympic Team Alternate combination: Further information on the competition…

Team GB Equestrian squads unveiled for Paris 2024

Olympics header image with country flags

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has today announced the three squads of riders who will travel to France this summer to represent Team GB in the equestrian competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The equestrian events will be held at the historic Palace of Versailles, providing a stunning backdrop for the competitions. This year’s venue adds a unique and prestigious element to the games, emphasizing the blend of sport and culture. Among the talented athletes, Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester are set to lead the dressage team, bringing their…

Showjumping Nominations for the Paris 2024 Olympics

Harry Charles (GBR) and Sherlock - winners of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2023/24 - La Coruña (ESP) Copyright ©FEI/Mackenzie Clark

British Equestrian and the British Showjumping Selectors have confirmed the 12 athlete and horse combinations nominated for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. These combinations will be submitted to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) by June 25, 2024, with only those on the list eligible for final selection by the British Olympic Association. Harry Charles and Ben Maher are each nominated with three mounts, including Charles’s most prominent ride, Romeo 88. The nominated athletes, in surname alphabetical order, and their horses are: Scott Brash (38) from Horsham, West Sussex, with: Hello…

FEI Launch ‘A bond like no other’ campaign ahead of Paris 2024! 

A bond like no other FEI video

With just weeks to go until the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the FEI has launched its global marketing campaign – “A bond Like no other” – honouring good horsemanship and celebrating the unique and long-lasting connection between horse and human.  The aim of the campaign is to engage Olympic and Paralympic equestrian sports fans and connect with a broader audience, showcasing the essential connection between horses and humans and their critical role in the success of the sport. “Equestrian sport is a rich mosaic of stories that illustrate…

Para-dressage nominations for Paris 2024 Revealed

Natasha Baker

Today, British Equestrian and the British Dressage Selectors confirm the 12 para dressage athlete and horse combinations that will be submitted to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) as nominated entries for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Only the combinations that appear on the nominated entries list (closing date Wednesday, 19 June 2024) may be put forward to the British Paralympic Association for selection to the Games. The Para-dressage nominated entries for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, listed by classification grade and then in alphabetical order by athlete surname: Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade…

Dressage Nominated Entries for Paris 2024 Olympic Games Announced

Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and Charlotte Fry (GBR) during the award ceremony from the Grand Prix Freestyle at the FEI Dressage European Championship Riesenbeck 2023 Copyright ©FEI/Leanjo de Koster

British Equestrian and the British Dressage Selectors have confirmed the 12 dressage athlete and horse combinations that will be submitted to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) as nominated entries for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Only those on the nominated entries list, closing on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, will be eligible for selection by the British Olympic Association for the Games. Charlotte Dujardin has been nominated with two of her most prominent horses, Alive and Kicking and Imhotep. Annabella Pidgley, on the other hand, is set to compete with Gio,…

Equestrian Sports in the Olympic Games

Nick Skelton and Big Star jumping at the Olympics

With the eagerly anticipated Paris Olympic Games 2024 only weeks away, we delve into the rich history of equestrian sports at the Olympics. From the early 20th century to today, equestrian sports have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, celebrating the unique partnership between horse and rider. The Games are not just about competition but also about ensuring the safety and welfare of the horses. The Cross Country course, positioned alongside the grand canal at the Palace of Versailles, is designed with the utmost care to provide a challenging yet…

Ballaghmor Class Withdrawn from Potentials for Paris 2024 Olympics

Oliver Townend with Ballaghmor Class in the Tokyo 2020 Eventing Showjumping Team Phase (British Equestrian/Jon Stroud)

In a significant decision made in full collaboration with British Equestrian Eventing Performance Manager Richard Waygood, Oliver Townend and owners Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop, and Val Ryan have withdrawn Ballaghmor Class from the eventing nominated list for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Ballaghmor Class, affectionately known as “Thomas,” has been a standout in the equestrian world, boasting an impressive track record that includes an Olympic gold medal. Despite his accolades, the team felt it was in Thomas’s best interest to withdraw due to an interrupted preparation for a long-format event…

British Equestrian announce nominated eventing combinations for Paris 2024

Oliver Townend at the FEI Eventing World Championship 2022 in Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA). FEI - Massimo Argenziano

British Equestrian and the British Eventing Selectors have confirmed the 12 eventing combinations that will be submitted to the FEI as our nominated entries for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and the list features some exciting combinations. Oliver Townend, who withdrew from this year’s Badminton Horse Trials, is on the list with two horses. The nominated entries, listed alphabetically by athlete surname, are as follows: The grooms for the horses have not yet been confirmed, but British Eventing has confirmed that these will be included in the final squad announcement. …