It’s nice to envision global championships, such as the Olympics or next month’s FEI World Equestrian Games, as an opportunity for the all the best horses and riders on earth to compete head to head. In reality, it seldom works out that way; think of everything that can derail a contender before the big competition.
It has happened to the dressage champion of last month’s Aachen horse show, as a pasture injury to Cassidy has forced rider Cathrine Dufour to withdraw him from the Danish team. With Cassidy goes the chance for the Danes to be medal contenders in Tryon, N.C. Cathrine, who won individual and team bronze at the 2017 European Championships, also had a chance to be on the podium as an individual at WEG.
There’s still plenty of great competition in the dressage ranks, with Germany and the U.S. as team medal favorites. The Dutch, Swedes and Brits aren’t on the same level, but they could well threaten for bronze. Individually, Germany’s Isabell Werth is a favorite, though it has yet to be decided which of her three equine possibilities will get the nod.
The USA’s Laura Graves with Verdades and Kasey Perry-Glass (Dublet) both distinguished themselves at Aachen and should be contenders in Tryon, along with Olympic and WEG multi-gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin on her new, but inexperienced horse, Mount St. John Freestyle. The mare has competed outside of Britain only once, however. Mileage counts during the rigors of a championship. Several other Germans could be contenders too, and perhaps someone unexpected will pop up on the podium.