US Open Series Leading to LA 2028 Olympics Wins Support from Dressage Riders
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Aug. 29,2024
The United States program for an annual series of the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping with more than $1 million in prize money leading to the 2028 Los Angeles Games has won support from American dressage riders, including four Olympians. Qualifying competitions are expected to begin with the winter circuits in Florida and California.
“It sound incredible and a great way to grow the sport ahead of the games!” said Anna Buffini a two-time World Cup competitor who is based at Rancho Santa Fe, California where the final for dressage will be staged at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal likely late in the year. “Very excited to see where it can take us all!”
“I think it is fascinating that we have such an event for all three equestrian disciplines inside the United States,” said Steffen Peters a six-time Olympian of San Diego, California. “I’m super excited that the dressage finals are on the west coast in Thermal.”
Charlotte Jorst, a World Cup Finalist based in Wellington, Florida: “I love this idea! Having something to work toward makes everything more worthwhile.”
Ashley Holzer, a four-time Olympian for Canada but who now rides for the U.S., also based in Wellington, “Wow. Super exciting. Think it’s amazing that the USEF is building momentum toward the Olympics in LA.”
Marcus Orlob, based in Loxahatchee, Florida and on the U.S. team with Jane at the Paris Olympics: “I love it. Something that is on a different show ground that I think is great for the horse. Now we have to organize free hot dogs and beer that we get a lot of spectators and pray to have a similar atmosphere like it is in Europe.”
Endel Ots, of Wellington and 2024 team reserve on Bohemian: “I think that’s awesome. I support Marcus in his comments 100%.”
Kevin Kohmann of Wellington who rode in the 2024 World Cup Final: “Whoever came up with this idea deserves a gold cup. It sounds exciting. The prize money is absolutely amazing and if we can add Marcus’s hot dog/beer ideas to it I believe it will make the sport a little bit more interesting for everybody else.”
Jan Ebeling, who competed for the U.S. at the 2012 Olympics, based in Wellington: “Anything that gives our sport (all disciplines) more visibility is a positive development. Sounds like a World Cup concept on U.S. soil open to all but one has to qualify in the US. That promotes our shows and will, hopefully, bring a few more Europeans over.”
Katherine Bateson-Chandler of Wellington: “All sounds really exciting! As usual I wish dressage was worth as big a money as show jumping but at least this is moving in the right direction.”
