June 23, 2024—Marcus Orlob led a group of U.S. Olympic dressage hopefuls at the CDI Kronberg in Kronberg, Germany, from June 20-23. While the event was note one of the required observation events, several horses-and-rider combinations on the U.S. Dressage Team Short List competed in Kronberg. The U.S. Olympic Dressage Team is set to be selected by June 25.
CDI4* Grand Prix for the Grand Prix Special
Orlob piloted Jane to a personal-best score of 73.913% to win Friday’s CDI4* Grand Prix, which served as a qualifier for the Grand Prix Special. Despite only taking the ride over from owner Alice Tarjan earlier this year, Orlob and Jane have quickly progressed as a promising partnership.
Adrienne Lyle and Helix took second place in the class with a score of 72.739%. The next highest U.S. combination was Endel Ots and Zen Elite’s Bohemian in a tie for fourth place with a score of 72.587%. Anna Marek and Fire Fly scored 70.826% to finish in eighth place. Anna Buffini had a tough day with Fiontini, reporting on social media that the mare had gotten her tongue over the bit during the test.
CDI4* Grand Prix Special
Orlob and Lyle again went one-two in Saturday’s CDI4* Grand Prix Special. Orlob and Jane earned another personal-best score of 75.340% for the win.
“The mare was really excited when I rode her off. But when I rode around the arena in walk, she relaxed and let me ride,” said Orlob in the CDI Kronberg press release. “Today I thought: Come on, let’s step it up a notch, the competition never sleeps. I thought it was great that the mare took it so well.”
Lyle and Helix had another solid test to score 73.319% to clinch second place. Marek and Fire Fly were the next highest Short-Listed U.S. combinations in the class rankings, coming in eighth place with a score of 70.404%. Ots and Zen Elite’s Bohemian finished in ninth place with a score of 69.872%.
CDI4* Grand Prix for the Grand Prix Freestyle
The CDI4* Grand Prix, which served as the qualifier for the Grand Prix Freestyle, was also held on Saturday. While not a short-listed horse, Marek brought Fayvel, her mount from the 2024 FEI Dressage World CupTM Final, to compete in Europe. The pair made the trip worthwhile by finishing in second place with a score of 73.131%. Lyle rode her other short-listed mount, Lars van de Hoenderheide, to a score of 69.109% for sixth place.
CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle
Marek and Fayvel again delivered a great result in Sunday’s CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle. The pair earned a score of 78.995% to secure a second-place finish. Lyle and Lars van de Hoenderheide had a solid test to score 75.505% and finish in fifth place.
Olympic Team Selection
Following US Equestrian’s announcement of the U.S. Dressage Short List for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in early May, horse-and-rider combinations were required to compete in a minimum of two CDIs between May 8 and June 25, 2024, such as the CDI Kronberg. They also needed to compete in at least one of the following Observation Events: Le Mans CDI4* (May 30-June 2, 2024), Hagen CDI3* (June 6-9, 2024) or Rotterdam CDIO5* (June 20-23, 2024).
US Equestrian will announce final 2024 U.S. Olympic Team selection by June 25. The Olympic dressage team will be made up of three horse-and-rider pairs, plus one traveling reserve combination.
Note: Orlob’s quote came from a CDI Kronberg press release.
Thanks to Cosequin for our coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, including rider interviews, competition reports, horse spotlights, photos, videos and more.
