The defending Olympic show jumping individual gold medalist, Ben Maher of Great Britain, is switching rides to defend his title in the competition that begins Thursday in Paris. Point Break, the horse he was scheduled to compete, is “down to form, post-travel.”
Instead, he will ride Dallas Vegas Batilly, the horse he owns with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright. He rode Explosion W when he earned the title at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Concern over the condition of Kent Farrington’s mount, Greya, has led to swapping that combination for alternate Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque on thee U.S. team before show jumping got under way at Versailles Thursday.
“There is a small question mark with Greya, which is allergy-related, and erring on the side of extreme caution and with the no drop score in the format, we have made the decision to bring in Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque,” said Coach Robert Ridland.
Karl and his mare were second to Kent and his mare in the La Baule grand prix in France in June, and Karl went on to win the Rolex Grand Prix of Rome.
The pressure is really on the show jumpers to deliver for the U.S., as the eventers fell short of a medal and the dressage team was eliminated.
You know who the U.S. is sending to the Olympics this month–this website has publicized the looong team selection process and named the names of who has been selected in all three disciplines.
But what about the other 48 countries that are entering the equestrian competitions in Paris? Peruse the list of definite entries. It’s fun to see who is riding for Greece, Latvia, Japan or other countries that haven’t been on your radar. Remember, there are only three riders on a team, but each squad has an alternate and the rules allow for substitution under certain circumstances.
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl is the only equestrian competing at the Olympics who will be going for two individual gold medals in a row on the same horse. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Click here for the list of show jumping entries from 35 countries, on this link for eventing entries from 27 countries and here for dressage, in which 30 countries will have representation.
This is how the stadium at Versailles will look during the Games. (FEI photo)
Equestrian competition is not being held in the heart of Paris, but in Versailles, 12 miles west of the city. The setting includes the palace that originally was the home of Louis XIV, and an array of gardens. When the Olympics aren’t being staged, it is a public park.
Britain’s Ben Maher will be trying for a second Olympic individual gold medal in show jumping, but on a different horse than he rode last time. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
The lone Olympic equestrian individual gold medalist who will be defending a Tokyo Games title on the same horse is Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with TSF Dalera BB. Britain’s show jumping gold medalist, Ben Maher, will be on a different mount, Point Break, while Germany’s individual medalist Julia Krajewski (the first woman to take the title in that sport) is an alternate for her nation.
The competition will be held six hours later than Eastern Daylight Savings Time, which means if you want to watch everything and live in the East, you’ll have to get up at 4 or 5 a.m. many days. If you live in California, you could just stay up all night.
But don’t worry, we’ll be telling you what happens right here every day, starting with July 27 and the dressage Grand Prix. We’ll keep reminding you that it’s possible to sleep in and still be up to speed by coming to this website after the competition ends each day.
Reserve rider Liz Halliday and Nutcracker are replacing Will Coleman and Diabolo on the U.S. eventing squad after Will’s horse–a replacement for his original mount, Off the Record–started experiencing discomfort. The switch was made just before the first horse inspection in Paris.
 Liz Halliday and Nutcracker at the horse inspection in Paris. (US Equestrian photo) “The last 48 hours have truly been tough for our team,” Bobby Costello, the chef d’equipe, said Friday, “but particularly for Will Coleman. Off The Record looked well (in) training camp, but Will’s direct reserve, Diabolo, continued to impress and was physically in such great condition, so we made the decision to place (him) into the team roster before moving to the venue. “Diabolo trotted up great prior to shipping from training camp and arrived at the venue happy and sound. Unfortunately, shortly after settling into stabling, he showed some significant signs of discomfort and the team immediately got to work to address a potential abscess in the right front foot. Team Farrier Beck Ratte, Dr. Susan Johns; Diabolo’s groom, Hailey Burlock, and Will’s wife, Katie, were so diligent and excellent in treating Diabolo and he did in fact trot up sound last night. “With that said, we felt after weighing the risk, it was not in Diabolo’s or the team’s best interest for him to move forward with the competition this week. We’re all just really devastated for Will and his entire team. It takes so much work to get to this moment and it’s just such an unfortunate turn of events. We’ve got to look forward though, and with that said, we’re heading into this competition with four very competitive horses, and l still feel very confident in this team’s ability to be successful here in Paris.” Click here for Saturday’s eventing dressage start times. Remember, Paris is six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern time, where the competition will begin at 3:30 a.m. Get bulletins and results on this website if you want to know what’s happening, but also aren’t enthusiastic about getting up before dawn to watch. Will Coleman, reflecting on what happened, stated on social media, “They say timing is everything. With how our last two days have gone here in Paris, that simply could not be more true. It has been a difficult 48 hours for my team and all of Off The Record’s and Diabolo’s connections. “I don’t have anything to say other than I wish all of Team USA the very best of luck this weekend. I will be here supporting them all the way through in what will certainly be an incredible competition at the most amazing venue I have ever seen. Go get ‘em guys.” It will be the first Olympics for Liz, who joins Boyd Martin and another first-timer, Caroline Pamukcu, on the squad. Nutcracker was eighth in the Defender Kentucky 5-star in April. “I’m feeling a lot of mixed emotions right now,” Liz said on social media. I
“I’ve been in Will’s shoes before and I know the pain and disappointment that comes with a last-minute change ahead of the biggest moment in your sporting career and life. I’m devastated for their team – they’ve worked so hard and deserve to be here.
“I always knew this was the responsibility of the reserve role, and Bali and I are mentally and physically ready to step in and deliver our best for the team. We’re 100 percent focused and prepared to head down the centerline and represent our country on Saturday. The USA have an incredible team here in Paris — we are ready to fight hard and give it our all.”
Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire are now the alternates for the U.S.
Changes for other nations’ eventing teams include Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz, who are out for Germany, replaced by the first woman to win individual Olympic gold, Julia Krajewski, on her Aachen winner Nickel. Bertram Allen is out as Ireland’s alternate following injury to Pacino Amiro, and Darragh Kenny with Cartello. Ingrid Klimke will miss her fifth Olympics after injury to Franziskus, but like Bertram, she was an alternate. Sönke Rothenberger and Fendi are replacing her.
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In a shocking development, Britain’s dressage queen, Charlotte Dujardin, has been provisionally suspended by the FEI a week before she was scheduled to ride in the Olympics, after a 2.5-year-old video surfaced that showed her making “an error of judgment” during a coaching session.
The video came out on social media Wednesday and showed her aggressively hitting her student’s cantering horse with a longe whip, prompting the animal to kick out several times. The video was taken during a lesson at a private stable.
Dujardin, who dominated headlines with her team and individual gold medal at the London 2012 Games on Valegro, made headlines of another kind on Tuesday as she withdrew herself from the Olympics and other competitions while the FEI investigates.
“What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse,” she stated on social media.
“I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment,” she said.
“I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans and sponsors. I will cooperate fully with the FEI, British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage during their investigations, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete,” she concluded.
Netherlands website Horses.nl stated Dutch attorney Stephan Wensing, who is a rider and trainer, filed a complaint on behalf of a client with the FEI and British Equestrian Federation about Dujardin’s actions as depicted on the video. Wensing is a specialist in equine law and has co-authored a book entitled, “Plea for the Horse.”
Wensing stated, “It is unacceptable that dressage sport should be accompanied by animal abuse. If top sport can only be performed in such a way that the welfare of the horse is compromised, then top sport should be abolished.
“Everyone who handles horses has their own responsibility and this also applies to bystanders who become aware of excesses. Equestrian sport must regulate itself and ensure that there can never be a discussion about horse welfare in sport again. This is a very important task for the judges who have lost sight of the core value of dressage for far too long and have overvalued the spastic movements of horses.”
Dressage has experienced a number of scandals recently, with the FEI looking into Cesar Parra’s training methods as depicted on video, and the decision of the Danish federation to suspend Andreas Helgstrand from being considered for the Olympic team after an undercover video of training at his stables was televised.
Wensing noted about Dujardin’s case, “It is extremely sad that one of the most successful riders in the world has to suffer. But this rider has also not taken any responsibility and this cannot go unpunished. The federations and in particular the FEI can be expected to take even more adequate action against animal abuse precisely to safeguard the survival of equestrian sports.”
Social license to operate is a major issue for horse sports, and the Olympics is equestrian sport’s biggest stage. For the first time during the Olympics, there will be an equine welfare coordinator whose mission is aimed at ensuring all stakeholders play by the welfare rules. Go to the On the Rail section of the website to read the link, or click here.
Britain was on track to challenge Germany for the team gold medal at the Olympics, while Dujardin, riding Imhotep, would have become her country’s most decorated Olympian in any sport if she had won any medal in Paris. Could that have played into the timing of the complaint being field, years after the incident?
In addition to her London gold medals, Dujardin and Valegro earned individual gold and team silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics and she took individual bronze in Tokyo three years ago.
Carl Hester, Dujardin’s mentor (Fame) and world champion Lottie Fry (Glamourdale) now will be joined in the team competition by alternate Becky Moody (Jagerbomb).
Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro in the 2012 Olympics. (Photo © 2012 by Nancy Jaffer)
A statement from the FEI said it received a video on Monday “depicting Ms. Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare. This video was submitted to the FEI by a lawyer representing an undisclosed complainant. According to the information received, the footage allegedly was taken several years ago during a training session conducted by Ms. Dujardin at a private stable.
“Upon receiving the video, the FEI initiated an investigation. As part of this investigation, Ms. Dujardin, British Equestrian, and British Dressage were informed of the allegations.”
After being given a deadline to respond by 5 p.m. Swiss time on Tuesday, Dujardin confirmed that she is the individual depicted in the video and acknowledged that her conduct was inappropriate.
The FEI announced the rider’s provisional suspension, effective immediately.
“During this period of suspension, she is prohibited from participating in any activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any competition or event under the jurisdiction of a National Federation (NF). This also includes any FEI or NF (national federation)-related activities. In addition, the British Equestrian Federation has mirrored this provisional suspension, which also makes Ms. Dujardin ineligible to compete in any national events during this period.”
Dujardin and Imhotep, who would have been her Olympic mount, at the London International Horse Show.
FEI President Ingmar De Vos said, “We are deeply disappointed with this case, especially as we approach the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. However, it is our responsibility and crucial that we address any instances of abuse, as equine welfare cannot be compromised.
“Charlotte has expressed genuine remorse for her actions, and we recognize and appreciate her willingness to take responsibility. Despite the unfortunate timing, we believe this action reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to welfare as the guardians of our equine partners and the integrity of our sport.”
The FEI further stated that on Tuesday, Dujardin requested to be provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the investigations and voluntarily withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and also confirmed that she will not participate in any competitions pending the outcome of the FEI’s investigation.
“The FEI condemns any conduct contrary to the welfare of horses and has robust rules in place to address such behavior. Our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of equine welfare and sportsmanship remains unwavering.”
The FEI acknowledges the cooperation of Charlotte Dujardin, British Equestrian, and British Dressage with the ongoing investigation and intends to proceed as swiftly as possible.
British Equestrian Chief Executive Jim Eyre commented; “As the guardians of equestrian sport, we must uphold the highest standards of equine welfare – the horse’s well-being is paramount. We have been in close liaison with the FEI on the matter and will fully comply with any requests to fulfill their investigation and support the robust processes around such complaints. The allegations made are serious and the consequences far reaching but upholding the integrity of our sport remains our priority – we are privileged to enjoy the company of horses; we must never compromise on their well-being. We will continue to work with the FEI and Charlotte to complete the process.”
British Dressage Chief Executive Jason Brautigam added; “At British Dressage our commitment is to ‘bring people and horses together in harmony’, and as part of this we constantly strive to achieve the highest standards of horse care. We do not condone any behavior that goes against our guiding principles and take a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our equine welfare policies. These historic allegations are deeply upsetting for everyone involved in our sport, but we fully support the FEI investigation and will take any appropriate disciplinary action when this process is complete. Our priority now is to rally behind our athletes and horses representing Team GB in Paris as they take on the responsibility of showcasing the best of our sport on the world stage.
British Equestrian Performance Director and Team GB Equestrian Team Leader Helen Nicholls said; “Obviously the events of the last 24 hours have been disappointing on many levels for all affected. No one more than Charlotte Dujardin recognizes the part welfare holds in sport and as such has done the right thing in stepping down to allow the FEI tribunal to take place in a timely manner. Our focus remains on supporting our athletes to deliver to their potential on the world stage and we look forward to the Games getting underway on Saturday.”
After nearly five years of tumult that included a high-profile trial, jail time and stays in psychiatric institutions, a court hearing this week indicated dressage trainer Michael Barisone may be a step closer to resuming his life with horses.
Since being discharged from Greystone Psychiatric Hospital in November, Barisone has been free to travel around New Jersey as he wishes, but is prohibited from leaving the state while he is under supervision of the court.
He wants to move to Loxahatchee, Fla., where he owns a farm with his fiancée, Lara Osborne, so he can work with his horses that are stabled there and continue the relationship with his partner.
In 2022, Barisone was found not guilty by reason of insanity on a second-degree attempted murder charge involving Lauren Kanarek, a former student and tenant he was charged with shooting twice in August 2019. He has stated he has no recollection of the incident that transpired after Kanarek and her boyfriend, Rob Goodwin, clashed with him repeatedly.
Barisone, the alternate for the 2008 U.S. Olympic dressage team, has been subject to periodic Krol hearings. They are held to judge the progress of a criminal defendant who has been confined to a psychiatric institution following a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
During Tuesday’s Krol hearing in Morristown, N.J., before Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor, Barisone’s lawyers, Ed Bilinkas and Chris Deininger, asked that their client be allowed to go to Florida.
Michael Barisone and attorney Ed Bilinkas. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I’m not disinclined to do that, I’ll be honest with you,” said the judge.
“I think it’s important for Mr. Barisone to get on with his life. But I also have to recognize there are dangers here…this was an exceedingly violent offense that almost cost the life of Miss Kanarek.”
The judge also pointed out that she lives near Barisone’s Florida farm and is involved with the equestrian scene, which prompts him to be concerned about what might happen if Barisone encounters her in the area.
“How is that going to end up? Is that likely?” asked Taylor. “I don’t know.”
Dr. Jonathan Wall, a psychologist who has been treating Barisone in New Jersey, was questioned by both Morris County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn and Barisone’s lawyers about his client’s state of mind.
Barisone had been abused as a child. When Barisone was dealing with Kanarek, he suffered from delusional disorder and believed she was trying to kill him, a psychologist said during his November hearing.
Wall said Barisone currently has no symptoms of clinical depression, but was sad about what has happened to his career since the shooting, telling the doctor, “This would have been my year.”
Under questioning by Bilinkas, Wall agreed that Barisone has admitted responsibility for the shooting and is remorseful for his conduct. He also agreed that after therapy, he saw “no further signs of any delusional thinking” and it is unlikely that Barisone “would suffer another delusional event” like the one that ended in tragedy.
The psychologist said in his report to the court he addressed “managing the risk,” but did not administer a risk assessment.
“I did not find Dr. Wall’s testimony particularly helpful,” the judge said later in the proceedings, noting there was nothing in his report about “dangerousness.”
“That’s the whole purpose of this,” the judge commented.
Barisone’s team is proposing that if he moved to Florida, he would be treated there by another psychologist, Dr. David Landry.
Looking at Landry’s resume, Taylor noted that he does evaluations of clients and said it appeared he has been involved in the court system “and may have a better understanding of what is required here,” citing “some assessment of continued dangerousness.”
Osborne, who got to know Barisone in 2018 when her daughter began riding with him, testified about Barisone’s living conditions in a gated community, where their farm is also gated. In response to a question from Schellhorn, she said there are no guns on the property.
Judge Stephen Taylor and Lara Osborne. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Taylor is concerned about “the authority of the court” once Barisone leaves New Jersey.
He said he is not at the point where he wants to give up jurisdiction, and feels it is necessary to have a mechanism in place that would allow the court to have Barisone brought back to New Jersey if, for instance, he stops going to the doctor in Florida.
At some juncture, Taylor said, “if he continues to progress, maybe we’ll get to the point where supervision is not necessary. We’re not at that point right now.”
Schellhorn asked the court to continue Barisone on his therapy and the current set of conditions, seeing no reason to change them. If Barisone violated conditions or began to exhibit signs of additional psychosis in Florida, the prosecutor was not sure what the mechanism would be to bring him back to New Jersey. At this point, risk “does appear to be relatively low,” but he noted Barisone is not in proximity to Kanarek. That risk would increase if he were to move to Florida, said Schellhorn.
Bilinkas noted for Barisone to be separated from Osborne and other family members in Florida “could have a deleterious effect if this continues,” were he “not allowed to go to his own home.”
The lawyer contends “he needs to be able to make a living, he needs to be able to help his fiancée” and without being in Florida, “it will be more difficult for him to survive financially.”
The judge said he is not inclined to release Barisone without supervision. Taylor asked for briefs from the attorneys about how Barisone legally could be returned to New Jersey from Florida. The judge also added he would like a certification from Landry that he is willing to take the case. Another hearing is scheduled for Aug. 30.
Meanwhile, Barisone, who will be 60 next month, has been living in Readington at the home of a former client, doing repairs for her, working on his collection of old trucks and cars, writing a book and exercising. He would like to be able to visit his friends in other states “and just go back to living,” he said during an interview outside the courtroom.
The trainer has not competed at FEI level since 2016. He is under an interim suspension from SafeSport and the U.S. Equestrian Federation, pending the outcome of a formal investigation and final decision, which means he can’t attend shows or teach.
His dream?
“I want to ride a horse in the World Cup or the WEG (World Equestrian Games) one more time,” he said.
“That will be enough.”
Amateur hunter riders competing in everything from the 2-foot, 6-inch low adults up to 3-6 amateur owners will be able to vie for year- end honors in 2025 at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Assocation’s new championship.
Riders can start earning points Dec. 1 for the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships, set to debut in the 2025 competition year. Other divisions eligible are the 3-foot adult amateur and the 3-3- Amateur-owner.
“Amateurs represent over 40 percent of the membership, which is by far the largest component of USHJA members,” said USHJA Amateur Task Force Chair Tracey Weinberg.
“As an amateur hunter exhibitor myself, I am thrilled to have a championship solely dedicated to the Amateur Hunter competitors and am proud to be a part of the process of developing it over the past several years.”
The competition will offer four separate Championships. Each division will be conducted in three phases: Under Saddle, First Hunter Round and a Classic Round for the 2’6” and 3’ sections or a Handy Round for the 3’3” and 3’6” sections.
Riders can qualify for the championships through both USEF-licensed Channel I or Channel II competitions by earning champion or reserve champion at one competition in their division. Additionally, horses can qualify if they are ranked in the top 10 of their USHJA Zone Horse of the Year Standings in Channel I or Channel II. Qualifying for the 2025 USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships begins December 1, 2024.
The dates and locations for the inaugural USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships will be announced in the coming months. To learn more about the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships, visit ushja.org/amateurhunter.
Will Coleman will be riding his back-up mount, Diabolo, rather than the more experienced Off the Record with the U.S. eventing team in the Olympics, where competition begins Saturday. No reason was given for the substitution announced Wednesday.
Will Coleman and Diabolo. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Diabolo was a direct reserve for Will, who will ride on the team with Boyd Martin and Caroline Pamukcu. Diabolo was impressive in the Cosequin 4-star at the Kentucky Horse Park in April, when he was the winner. Although he was sixth in dressage, Diabolo was the only double-clear on cross-country and finished double clear in the show jumping as well.
This was one of several substitutions before the Games get under way. Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz are out for Germany, replaced by the first woman to win individual Olympic gold, Julia Krajewski, on her Aachen winner Nickel. Bertram Allen is out as Ireland’s alternate following injury to Pacino Amiro, and Denis Lynch with Brooklyn Heights is in. Ingrid Klimke will miss her fifth Olympics after injury to Franziskus, but like Bertram, she was an alternate. Sönke Rothenberger and Fendi are replacing her.
The U.S. squad for the Paralympics in Paris next month is a strong one that could well find itself laden with medals at the conclusion of the Games.
“Heading into the Paralympic Games with the highest-ever scoring team in U.S. history in the run-up to Paris 2024 is beyond our wildest imagination,” said Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline.
“It’s a very proud moment for the U.S. with all the work that has been invested into this program over the past several years. It’s our collective goal to honor this historical occurrence with pride and produce results that make our country proud.”
Those selected were announced Thursday. They include Rebecca Hart with Floratina, owned by Rowan O’Riley and cared for by Mackenzie Young. Fiona Howard will be riding Diamond Dunes owned by Dressage Family LLC and Hof Kasselmann and cared for by Helen Claire McNulty.
Also named were Kate Shoemaker with Vianne, owned by Nocordia USA and cared for by Katherine Barrett, and Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H, owned by Karin Flint and cared for by Rafael Hernandez-Carillo.
As Rebecca mentioned, “The four of us are the figureheads that are out on the field of play. I want to thank all of the people on our U.S. support team, as well as everyone on each of our own individual support teams for getting us to this point. Without all of you working just as hard as we do on the field of play, we would not be able to achieve our goals. Your effort and work does not go unnoticed.”
A two-way communication platform will be launched on Cornell Equine as its first phase of development, inviting horse owners, trainers and veterinarians to discuss their most pressing issues, ultimately guiding future research and education programs.
The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) has contributed $25,000 to support the development of the cross-campus program, rooted in Cornell University’s legacy of scientific research clinical care and education. Based at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) in Ithaca, N.Y., Cornell Equine aims to advance equine health and education through enhanced collaboration among interdisciplinary teams.
“We are so grateful for the support of NYTHA in helping us bring Cornell Equine to fruition,” said Dr. Mandi de Mestre, professor of equine medicine with the Baker Institute for Animal Health and Department of Biomedical Sciences at CVM.
“This gift will support us to take the first steps in leveraging the exceptional breadth of skills of Cornell faculty to tackle novel research questions in equine health and safety and build leadership capacity for the future. A coordinated equine program also will bolster the University’s efforts to recruit and retain the best veterinary students into equine practice through enhanced and coordinated access to educational opportunities, faculty support and industry.”
“The College of Veterinary Medicine has a long-standing history of driving research and clinical results that have had lasting impact on the Thoroughbred industry and equine health and care,” said Tina Marie Bond, president of the NYTHA.
“We are pleased to be able to support the college as it builds upon this legacy.”
Cornell Equine will enhance dissemination of research results to deliver benefits nationally to equine management and clinical services. This initial phase is anticipated to be available to the equine field at large by the summer of 2025.
