Getting Ready for Last Big Show Before Paris Olympics

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AACHEN, Germany, July 2, 2024–The CHIO World Equestrian Festival is underway as the last big show and final qualifiers for several nations less than four weeks before the Olympics in Paris.

For dressage, Germany and Denmark select their teams at the end of this show, the most prestigious in the world, and in time for the entries deadline for Paris of July 8. Even individuals who are already assured of starting in Paris take advantage of the Aachen program of the three Olympic disciplines of dressage, jumping and eventing and Paralympics dressage, plus driving and vaulting as well as entertainment from live symphony concerts to extraordinary equestrian displays.

Suppenkasper and Steffen Peters chatting at the veterinary inspection for the CDI4*. © 2024 Ken Braddick/DRESSAGE-NEWS.com

Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper, the Tokyo Olympic and 2018 World Equestrian Games silver medal partnership have been selected for the American team at Paris and are showing here. Steffen was Aachen Dressage Champion on Ravel in 2009, the year the pair became World Cup champions, only the second American duo to do so, the other being Debbie McDonald on Brentina in 2003.

Isabell Werth is already the most successful Olympic equestrian of all disciplines, will be on DSP Quantaz in the same CDI4* as Steffen and Mopsie, and will compete Wendy de Fontaine in the CDIO5* Nations Cup seeking a place on her Germany’s team.

Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz. © 2024 Ken Braddick/DRESSAGE-NEWS.com

 

Frederic Wandres appears likely to make his first German Olympic team with either Bluetooth OLD or Duke of Britain, both of which he is competing at Aachen. Shown here with Duke of Britain. © 2024 Ken Braddick/DRESSAGE-NEWS.com

 

Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén has seven Olympics on her record, the same number as Anky van Grunsven. If Tinne is selected on Hyatt for Sweden’s team at Paris, eight Olympics would be a record for an equestrian. © 2024 Ken Braddick/DRESSAGE-NEWS.com

 

Julio Mendoza Loor with Jewel’s Goldstrike, the first rider from Ecuador to earn a start in the Olympic dressage. Julio, based in Columbus, North Carolina, has competed at three Pan American Games, including a gold medal performance at the 2023 Pan Ams on Goldstrike. © 2024 Ken Braddick/DRESSAGE-NEWS.com

 

Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Blue Hors Znickers. Nanna seems certain to make Denmark’s team to be announced at the end of Aachen, most likely on Blue Hors Don Olymbrio. The lineup for Paris is uncertain because of the absence of Mount St. John Freestyle ridden by Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour. She showed Freestyle in February and March with spectacular results and is reported to be fit and ready for Paris, but there has been no official word. © 2024 Ken Braddick/DRESSAGE-NEWS.com

 

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