by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 1, 2024
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.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 12, 2024
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.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 26, 2024
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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by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 15, 2024
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.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 24, 2024
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.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 11, 2024
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.”
