Celebrating our Horse and Human Combinations at the 2024 Olympic Games

Equestrian sport unique allure was on full display at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as Horse and Athlete combined to produce great performances and memorable drama.

While it was the Athletes that took to the podium at the Palace of Versailles, they were keen to stress the talents and importance of their equine partners. Such modesty undersells their own contribution, but shows just how much their star Horses are valued.

Great Britain’s Laura Collett twice took to the podium in Paris after securing Eventing Team gold and Individual bronze. Collett has established one of the world’s great combinations with London 52 over the last few years and was full of praise for this most special of Horses.

Collett said: “I owe absolutely everything to that Horse. He is my Horse of a lifetime and I’m so, so proud of him.”

She's the most intelligent Horse I've ever had!

TSF Dalera BB is, of course, Dressage’s biggest star having dominated at the top of the discipline for the last few years. Her biggest fan is her rider, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, who was full of praise for the mare after they won Individual and Team gold together at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

While they’ve competed together countless times, Jessica was blown away by Dalera’s powers of concentration as they secured Individual gold in Paris.

“Dalera was 1,000% with me,” Von Bredow-Werndl said. “She had no ear or eye anywhere else than me, she was listening so carefully and she really showed me that this is what she wants to do and this is why it makes me so emotional because I don't know if I will ever get another Horse like her. She's the most intelligent Horse I've ever had, she is out of this world!”

Long-term legends and short-term successes

Von Bredow-Werndl’s and Collett’s successes were built on strong relationships with their Horses that date back years. Laura and London 52 first competed together in 2017, while it’s eight years since Jessica and Dalera appeared in their first Prix St-Georges together.

In contrast, the Individual silver medallists in both Eventing and Dressage at the Paris 2024 Olympics were new combinations. Both showed how stunningly talented Horses and humans can be successful pretty much from the off. Isabell Werth first competed with Wendy as recently as January, while Australia’s Chris Burton and Shadow Man only date back to March.

Burton described Shadow Man as “just the most delightful animal” after their fabulous performance in Paris. Incredibly, they took Olympic silver in just their seventh competition together.

“From the minute I sat on him I thought he was incredible,” Burton added.

Werth has created some of Dressage’s greatest-ever combinations with the likes of Gigolo and Bella Rose. Her alliance with Wendy might only date back a matter of weeks, but the ‘Queen of Dressage’ has thoroughly enjoyed their time together.

 “It's a very quick coming together of a new partnership, that's true. Sometimes when you sit on a Horse and you feel that is your Horse then it just clicks,” said the German.

“This is a really perfect match between us, and I think we both feel really confident and that makes it so easy.”

Horses are gold medal stars… whatever the result!

Steve Guerdat is another Athlete who added to his medal haul at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Swiss star earned an Individual Jumping silver with Dynamix De Belheme a year after they became European champions together.

Guerdat – who won Olympic gold at London 2012 – described how his Horses are treated with the same admiration and respect whether it’s been a day when things didn’t go to plan or when they’ve ended up on the podium at the Olympics!

“Horses don’t know the difference between four faults, a bad day or gold medal or silver medal. So that’s one thing that’s in our philosophy at home – that every Horse gets treated exactly the same, every single day, whatever happens," Guerdat said.

“They give so much to us. We owe those animals so much, for they do their job the best they can. When something goes wrong, it’s our fault, so they deserve the best treatment wherever they win or lose. We do it together and they are winners every day.”

Some 200 Horses were selected for the Paris 2024 Olympic equestrian competitions. Each entry came as a result of the intense dedication and collaboration between the Athletes and their Horses. This achievement underscores the remarkable bond they share, which is essential for reaching the highest levels of achievement in the sport. We can't wait to see them competing again in future events.

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