Updated London Olympic 2012 News

Heather Blitz aboard Paragon
Photo: PhelpsPhotos

Catch up on some of the news for all of the competitors from different countries competing in dressage.
British Pride
Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro and Carl Hester and Uthopia on Friday were named to Great Britain's Olympic team with Richard Davison and Artemis as the individual in the host nation's attempt to win its first ever Olympic medal.
Austrian entry to replace Garcia
A second Austrian Grand Prix rider, Renate Voglsang, has obtained an entry ticket for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, following a failed attempt of Colombian Maria Ines Garcia to qualify for the Games. Garcia was not able to reach the necessary qualifying score in time.

Colombian rider Maria Ines Garcia was the only Colombian rider still in the running for an individual spot after having scored her first minimum eligibility score of 64% at the 2012 CDI Fritzens. At the CDI-W Lipica she failed to repeat this score.

Polish Trio in London Make a Team
The three riders and horses for Poland's first Olympic team since the height of the Cold War in 1980 were nominated last Wednesday. The Polish combinations of Michal Rapcewicz and Randon, Beata Stremler and Martini and Katarzyna Milczarek and Ekwador qualified as individuals and the three pairs are able to field a "composite" team for the dressage competition.

Canadian Dressage Squad
Ashley Holzer and Breaking Dawn, Jacqueline Brooks and D Niro and David Marcus and Chrevi's Capital were named by Equine Canada as the dressage team for the Olympic Games beginning in London next month.

Heather Blitz team alternate in American team

Pan American team gold and individual silver medalist Heather Blitz from Wellington, Florida and her nine year old Danish Warmblood gelding Paragon (Don Schufro x Pari Lord) have been named as the U.S. Olympic Dressage Team Alternate. Blitz will travel with the squad to London on July 9th to be in training in England until the team is announced.

The partnership finished sixth in the final selection trial at Gladstone, NJ, and following the withdrawal of Todd Flettrich and Otto - another horse that Blitz trained to Grand Prix level - they were the next ranked combination to be promoted to the alternate position and invited to join the squad.

"I'm thrilled with the opportunity to participate as a member of the Olympic squad, It's a great honor and a privilege for Paragon and me to be selected. And I believe it's the best possible situation for a young horse to benefit from this exposure," said Blitz. "We gained invaluable experience on the Pan American Games team last year which will stand us in good stead for this next adventure."
Blitz will take Paragon to some events whilst in England and is planning to compete at the famous Hickstead Showground in Sussex.