(19 July 1996)
Grand Prix dressage has long been dominated by Germany, and that is a pattern that is not likely to be broken during the Centennial Olympic Games. Led by reigning Grand Prix World Champion Isabell WERTH on Gigolo and team member Monica THEODORESCU on Grunox, the German delegation will look to repeat its 1992 team gold-medal and individual sweep.
The Netherlands looks to have the team most likely to challenge the Germans. Led by freestyle World Champion Anky VAN GRUNSVEN on Bonfire, the Dutch team will look to continue the steady improvement that the team has shown in World Championship competitions over the past few years.
Olympic Dressage Champion from 1992, Nicole UPHOFF-BECKER on Rembrandt (GER) were not selected by the German Equestrian Olympic Committee (DOKR) to compete in Atlanta, but UPHOFF-BECKER has successfully petitioned the International Equestrian Federation and DOKR to defend her individual gold.
Twenty-four riders are scheduled to advance from the qualifying Grand Prix to the Grand Prix Special, which is the competition for individual medals. Should UPHOFF-BECKER and Rembrandt be ranked in the top 24 at the time the cut is made, a 25th rider would be added to the individual competition.
Finally, the Musical Kur, or freestle, will also be performed by the top individuals, and the combination of scores from Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Kur performances will be used to determine the 1996 individual medalists. Dressage competition is scheduled to begin on Saturday, 27 July.
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Amy H. Symons.
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