You had to figure that Olympic and world championships medalists Steffen Peters (Suppenkasper) and Adrienne Lyle (Salvino) would make the Dutta Corp. U.S. dressage team for the championships next month in Denmark.
Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper, the highest-ranked U.S. dressage combination. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Ashley Holzer, who rode in the Olympics for her native Canada before becoming an American citizen, also looked like a lock for the squad on Valentine after some impressive performances on the European tour this summer.
But newcomer Katie Duerrhammer with Quartett was a bit of a surprise, as speculation ensued about the fourth member of the squad. Katie, at 33 the youngest rider in the group, is trained by Adrienne.
Debbie McDonald, Adrienne’s mentor, works with her, and Steffen as well. He is the highest-ranked U.S. rider in the world, at number 19.
Alice Tarjan of Oldwick, N.J., was named alternate with the U.S.-bred Serenade MF and will train in Germany with the squad before it leaves for the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championship presented by Helgstrand.
The Danes are favored for the gold medal, as often-dominant Germany is weaker than usual without its pregnant Olympic gold medalist, world number one Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB. Sweden also looks as if it could be in for a medal. Britain has yet to announce its team, but a pillar of the squad, Carl Hester, lacks a horse and will not be riding.