June 25, 2021 
U.S. Equestrian has announced the four riders that will travel to Tokyo to represent the United States in Olympic dressage competition, the second of three equestrian teams that will represent the nation at the upcoming Games.
While not a selection trial, the U.S. Dressage Olympic Shortlist Mandatory Event, held Jue 8-11 under the lights of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL proved to be a key determiner. We introduce the squad:
Adrienne Lyle & Salvino
Adrienne Lyle and Betsy Juliano’s Salvino were the stars of the Mandatory Event, taking the wins in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle, with personal bests. After making just two international starts in 2020, Salvino did not return to CDI competition until April 2021. But Lyle and the talented dark bay have won their last eight outings (including the Mandatory Outing). Five of those tests have received scores above 80 percent.
“He’s the horse you’d want with you down in the trenches,” Lyle said. “There’s not many of those you sit on in your lifetime.”
Lyle and Salvino already boast championship experience, having contributed to a team silver medal at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, NC. This pair also finished seventh at the 2019 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Finals. Tokyo will mark Lyle’s first Olympic appearance since London 2012 with her memorable partner, Wizard.
Steffen Peters & Suppenkasper
Peters, a four-time Olympian and two-time team bronze medalist, entered the mandatory observation event having won a remarkable 22 consecutive international events with the talented 13-year-old gelding, Suppenkasper. The pair finished third and second, respectively, in the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special.
“I always knew he would be a good horse for Tokyo, because he has so much go,” Peteres said. “Even [in the Grand Prix Special], I didn’t really have to push him. What a lucky guy I am to ride a horse like that.”
With the new Olympic format for dressage, the Grand Prix Special will be a crucial test, as it will determine the team medals. The Grand Prix will serve as a qualifier for the Special and the Freestyle, and the Freestyle will determine individual medals. Team USA fans will want to see this combination in that Freestyle; it’s always a treat to watch Steffens in this test with his incredible musical choreography.
Sabine Schut-Kery & Sanceo
Sabine Schut-Kery and Sanceo punched their tickets to Tokyo with a personal best in their Grand Prix test at the Mandatory Outing, receiving a 78.97 percent. Their previous best in the test was 75.022. The pair also finished third in the Grand Prix Special, more than holding their own with the likes of Lyle and Peters.
This pair was part of the gold medal-winning U.S. squad at the 2015 Pan American Games when competing in Small Tour competition. Tokyo will mark Schut-Kery’s Olympic debut.
Nick Wagman & Don John (Traveling Reserve)
In Tokyo, substitutions can be made up until two hours before the team final, the Grand Prix Special — but only for veterinary or medical reasons. Nick Wagman and Don John have been named Team USA’s Traveling Reserves after finishing fourth in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special at the Mandatory Outing. This pair took wins in both tests at the CDI3* level during the Global Dressage Festival in March.
