July 24, 2024 
Germany’s Julia Krajewski made history at the Tokyo 2020 Games when she became the first female eventer ever to win an Olympic individual gold medal.
For the Paris Games, the world no. 36 was named the traveling alternate, but a late change on German eventing team has moved her onto the team proper.
On Tuesday evening at the final health check before the move from the training camp in Deauville to Paris, Sandra Auffarth’s mount, Viamant du Matz, was deemed not 100% fit. Krajewski and Nickel 21 will take their place instead.
“Up until then, the horse appeared to be in great training and condition, but was not quite clear on the last trot. It was clear to us that unfortunately they wouldn’t be able to come to Paris,” said national coach Peter Thomsen.
“This is very sad for us, but especially of course for Sandra, her horse owner and her whole team. We would have liked to have had Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz on the team as team world champions, team runner-up European champions and European Championship bronze medalists.”
Paris 2024 will be the championship debut for the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding. In 23 FEI appearances together since 2021, Krajewski and Nickel have finished outside the top 10 just five times. In July, at their last competition before the Paris Games, they won the CCIO*S at Aachen.
A two-time Olympic veteran, Krajewski helped Germany to the team silver at the 2016 Rio Games on Samourai du Thot and took individual gold at the 2020 Tokyo games on Amande de B’Neville.
The new reserve rider for Germany is now Calvin Böckmann with The Phantom of the Opera.
