The fight for an Olympic dressage person medal on the Paris 2024 Video games is about to be as tight as we’ve ever observed.
On the Eu Championships, it was once a tussle for the gold medal between Jessica von Bredow-Werndl’s TSF Dalera BB for Germany and Lottie Fry’s trip Glamourdale for Britain – now it looks as if a real three-way battle, with Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle additionally critical contenders.
A mistake from the main pack may just open up a place at the podium for both Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald with Zepter or German legend Isabell Werth and Wendy, who set pulses racing with their contemporary freestyle in Aachen. It would additionally divulge a place for the main Dutch mixture and darkish horses of the contest Dinja van Liere and Hermes.
Shall we see as much as 4 ratings exceed the 90% barrier, which is extraordinary at Olympic degree. Not anything is determined however something is needless to say – regardless of Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep’s withdrawal, this will likely nonetheless be probably the most proficient choice of horses to have ever ridden down that prestigious centre line within the trendy generation.
The Olympic dressage person medal contenders
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (Germany)
It’s laborious to seem previous the arena primary and reigning Olympic and Eu champion with TSF Dalera BB as the favorite for person gold. It was once tight between them and Lottie Fry and Glamourdale on the Eu Championships ultimate summer time and be expecting it to be shut once more right here. In the event that they grasp on, Dalera will transform the fourth horse to protect a person gold medal, along Rembrandt, Salinero and Valegro.
Lottie Fry (Nice Britain)
The reigning international champions have most effective competed two times because the Europeans however Glamourdale appeared to be peaking on the proper time at Aachen CDI4* this month the place they gained the grand prix and particular with plus-80% ratings. Lottie is now not an up-and-coming or green rider – she’s one of the crucial highest on the earth and with Glamourdale she has a world-class spouse. Be expecting them to be the group anchors and move guns-blazing to overtake reigning champions Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB within the freestyle.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dugour (Denmark)
Cathrine and Freestyle can be one of the compelling and in style combos to look at in Paris. They’ve been a partnership for lower than a yr they usually’ve most effective competed in combination a handful of occasions however that hasn’t stopped expectancies from development. Freestyle neglected out on an Olympic spot when below former rider Charlotte Dujardin however now she has a shot at a career-defining, crowning second.
Dinja van Liere (Netherlands)
After a speedy upward push to the highest, double international bronze medallists Dinja and the 12-year-old stallion Hermes have been dominated out of the Eu Championships. The mix have been additionally pressured to pass over the Tokyo Olympics because of an administrative error with regards to the pony’s possession. They’ve burst again onto the scene successful the freestyle at Rotterdam CDIO5* with a private highest of 87.83% and can get started their debut Video games in medal competition.
Nanna Skodborg Merrald (Denmark)
The enforcing 16-year-old gelding Zepter is an skilled campaigner and has competed on the best degree with 3 best riders – Daniel Bachmann Andersen, Patrik Kittel and now Nanna. In combination they have been within the type of their lives within the build-up to the Eu Championships ultimate summer time however have most effective competed 3 times since then as Zepter has been sparsely controlled. Be expecting them to be with reference to 90% within the freestyle and the person medals.
Isabell Werth (Germany)
Isabell took over the trip at the 10-year-old mare Wendy from the suspended Andreas Helgstrand in January. They’ve taken just a little time to get used to one another however their ratings began to upward push and surpass Isabell’s Eu group silver medal-winning trip DSP Quantaz. Wendy’s variety was once unsure when she was once pressured to withdraw from the primary German variety trial however she got here again in exceptional model to win the freestyle at Aachen CDIO5* on 89.1%.
H&H’s dressage editor’s Olympic person podium
To learn Horse & Hound’s complete Paris Olympic mag preview, pick out up a duplicate of the mag in stores from Thursday 18 July, or order a unmarried reproduction on-line for supply through publish. Horse & Hound’s complete 19-page Olympic shape information, that includes unique perception into each and every combos competing in Paris, can be on sale from Thursday 25 July forward of festival beginning on Saturday 27 July.
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Credit score: FEI
Credit score: Benjamin Clark
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Benjamin Clark
Credit score: Catarina Corridor
