Dressage-News

LEXINGTON, Kentucky, Jan. 29, 2018–Five European observation events for riders and horses seeking to make the United States team for the Tryon World Equestrian Games were announced Monday by the U.S. Equestrian Federation.

Up to eight combinations will be selected by the end of April for a short list with the requirement to compete in at least two of five European events over a period of two months.

The events are:

* May 17/20–Compiègne, France CDIO5* Nations Cup/CDI3*;
* May 31/June 3–Roosendaal, Netherlands CDI4*;
* June 21/24–Rotterdam CDIO5* Nations Cup/CDI3*;
* July 3/8–Leudelange, Luxembourg CDI4*, and
* July 17-22–Aachen, Germany CDIO5* Nations Cup/CDI4*.

Verden, Germany CDI3* Aug. 1/5 and possibly other events in Europe or the United States may also be used for selection, the federation announced.

The Aachen event is the only one declared as mandatory.

A combination may be excused from the European tour.

One partnership that may apply for a bye from the tour is the top American duo of Laura Graves and Verdades, No. 4 in the world, if the pair compete and perform well at the World Cup Final in Paris in mid-April. It is not known whether an application to be excused has been made.

The federation report that the USEF Chef d’Equipe and Managing Director will meet with athletes and their personal trainers to discuss the observation events for athletes to submit their tentative competition plan.

U.S. selectors will review the short list combinations no later than Aug. 1 and may request a pair attend an additional observation event.

After the observation events, the Chef d’Equipe in consultation with the selectors will evaluate the athletes and horses and nominate the team of three or four riders and three or four horses. A reserve athlete/horse combination and/or reserve horse may be named to travel with the team for the mandatory final training.

The U.S. base in Europe will be at Jewel Court Stud in Wuustwezel, Belgium.

The schedule for dressage at WEG is:

Sept. 11–Horse inspection
Sept. 12-13–Grand Prix
Sept. 14–Grand Prix Special
Sept. 16–Grand Prix Freestyle

The U.S. Elite squad comprises:

Laura Graves of Geneva, Florida, and Verdades, 16-year-old KWPN gelding;
Charlotte Jorst of Reno, Nevada and Kastel’s Nintendo, 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion;
Olivia LaGoy-Weltz of Haymarket, Virginia and Lonoir, 14-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding;
Adrienne Lyle of Ketchum, Idaho and Salvino, 11-year-old Hanoverian stallion;
Kasey Perry-Glass of Wellington, Florida and Dublet, 15-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, and
Steffen Peters of San Diego, California and Rosamunde, 11-year-old Rhinelander mare.