United States Finalized Olympic Dressage Team Lineup

The U.S. Equestrian Team has completed its selection process following final trials in Florida and Germany.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Equestrian

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a dressage horse and rider performing in an arena, rendered with gestural brush strokes. — The U.S. Equestrian Team has officially finalized its Olympic dressage roster following a series of qualifying trials held in Florida and Germany. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The United States Equestrian Team has officially concluded its selection process for the Olympic dressage team. Riders competed throughout the year at various trials in Florida and Germany to secure their spots.

Why it matters

The completion of these trials settles the roster for the upcoming Olympic competition. These final events were crucial for determining which horse-and-rider combinations performed best under pressure in international settings.

Five riders emerged from the selection trials to earn a place on the team. Participants were evaluated through a rigorous series of events in Florida and a final trial held in Germany.

The players

Sue Blinks

An accomplished equestrian who led her horse Flim Flam to a Grand Prix victory during the final trial.

Christine Traurig

A skilled dressage rider who achieved a second-place finish in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special.

Guenter Seidel

An experienced equestrian who captured the top spot in the Freestyle competition riding Foltaire.

Robert Dover

A prominent figure in American dressage who competed with his nine-year-old horse, Rainier, to gain experience.

Kathleen Raine

A highly-ranked dressage rider who has been selected to serve in the reserve position for the team.

The details

Sue Blinks and Flim Flam secured a win in the Grand Prix, while Christine Traurig and Etienne took second in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special. Guenter Seidel and Foltaire also claimed victory in the Freestyle, with Robert Dover and Rainier gaining valuable competition experience and Kathleen Raine named as the reserve.

Selection trials for the team were held in Florida during May 2026.
The final selection trial took place September 18-20, 2026, at Parkfestival in Bad Honnef.

Season Trajectory

These results finalize the roster, shifting the focus from individual selection to team preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games. The selection of these specific horse-and-rider pairs establishes the competitive outlook for the United States on the international stage.

The finalization of the squad determines the official horse-and-rider combinations that will represent the country. Fantasy and professional observers now have the definitive list of athletes who qualified through the Grand Prix and Freestyle event scoring.

The takeaway

The successful completion of international trials ensures that the team enters the Olympic cycle with proven, high-performing combinations. Fans should look for the official federation announcement to confirm the final breakdown of team duties.