Team Platinum at the Olympics

Showcasing Thrilling Performances of Elite Equestrian Athleticism Against the Canvas of Parisian Elegance at the Château de Versailles

Being selected for the Olympics is a pinnacle achievement in an athlete’s career. For riders representing their country at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the selection was not just an honor but a testament to their exceptional skills and perseverance, a dream realized through years of dedication, training and unwavering commitment. The journey to the Olympics unquestionably involved countless hours in the saddle, rigorous training and overcoming numerous challenges, all culminating in the ultimate reward of competing on the world’s biggest stage.

Appreciating the uniqueness of being an Olympic equestrian is essential to truly admire the splendor of the performances witnessed at the Summer Games. Unlike many Olympic disciplines, equestrian sports involve a unique dynamic where the athlete’s partner is a living, breathing horse. This partnership introduces a layer of complexity and collaboration that sets equestrian events apart. Riders must build and maintain a strong bond with their horses, built on mutual trust, respect and understanding. The horse is not just an athletic partner but a teammate. Success relies not only on the rider’s skill and strategy but also on an ability to communicate and synchronize with their equine teammates, understanding their mood, reactions and needs. This living partnership adds a depth of challenge and artistry to the discipline, making it a key component of the equestrian Olympic journey.

McLain Ward: Another Olympics, Another Medal

McLain Ward has established himself as one of the premier show jumpers of modern times through his remarkable Olympic career alone. The 48-year-old has competed in the Games six consecutive times. His Olympic record reflects both consistency and success, with a total of five Olympic medals. Ward first made a significant impact at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he won a gold medal in team show jumping only to later win another in 2008. His subsequent appearances at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro and COVID-delayed 2021 Tokyo Games further solidified his reputation, helping the U.S. team secure silver medals.

At the Paris Olympics, he competed on his talented horse, Ilex (Baltic VDL x Chin Chin), an 11-year-old KWPN gelding. The partnership showcased technical expertise, agility and precision, as they delivered a compelling performance. Ward demonstrated his trademark skills and composure under pressure during the team event. Despite the highly competitive field, his performance was marked by a clear round that helped secure a team silver medal further adding to his impressive Olympic tally. Ward’s numerous Olympic appearances and multiple medals underscore his extraordinary career and his enduring impact on the sport of show jumping. Although his 2024 performance on Ilex did not earn him an individual medal, he looks to earn it at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Looking to the Future

As the equestrian community reflects on the inspiring performances that set new standards at the 2024 Olympics, we look forward with anticipation and aspirations. Commitment and passion to their sport — and their horses — brought these athletes to Paris. Pair this with experience gained and bonds shared and built, the groundwork for future success is set and will continue to fuel their pursuit of Olympic excellence. Teams and individuals will use those experiences to refine their strategies and skills as they face 2028. The promise of the Los Angeles Games will bring fresh challenges, renewed ambitions and the ever-present drive for excellence on the world stage. The global equestrian community is eager to again embrace the Olympic spirit and shine on — especially Team USA as the community eagerly anticipates seeing them soar on home soil.

Paris Games From the Veterinary Perspective

The 2024 Paris Olympics showcased the pinnacle of equestrian sport, and behind the scenes, a dedicated veterinary team ensured the health and well-being of the equine athletes. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) veterinary team played a crucial role in the smooth execution of the Games, combining expertise and meticulous planning to maintain the highest standards of equine care.

PHOTO BY DR. CHRISTOPHER ELLIOT

“We look for fitness to compete,” Dr. Emily Sandler-Burtness explained, emphasizing that the horse must be in a condition conducive to completing the competition successfully.

Dr. Emily Sandler-Burtness: Ensuring Excellence at the Paris Olympics

Dr. Emily Sandler-Burtness, a distinguished veterinarian and founder of Pacific Coast Equine Veterinary Services Inc. shares her behind-the-scenes perspective and ongoing commitment to equestrian welfare on an international stage. Based in Southern California, her practice focus is sports medicine and lameness, so she is well-versed in the practicalities of performance horses. Dr. Sandler-Burtness has worked over 15 years as an FEI veterinarian and is very much the horse enthusiast herself. She relished eventing growing up in Colorado and now enjoys the occasional tranquil trail ride with her husband and their two Quarter Horses.

At the Paris Olympics, she served as the 2024 FEI foreign veterinary delegate. It was her third Olympic Games, after service as a treating vet at the Rio de Janeiro Games and a commission member at the COVID-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021. In Paris, she was one of four FEI veterinary commission members, joined by colleagues from Brazil, the Netherlands and France.

The FEI foreign veterinary delegate plays a pivotal role in the Olympic equestrian events. This position involves overseeing the health and safety of horses and further ensuring they meet stringent fitness standards for competition. Dr. Sandler-Burtness described her role as a regulatory one: completing the veterinary report; stamping passports; and conducting horse inspections (jogs for the three disciplines). The jog, a critical part of the vetting process, assesses whether a horse is fit to compete, evaluating overall health and fitness beyond just lameness. “We look for fitness to compete,” she explained, emphasizing that the horse must be in a condition conducive to completing the competition successfully. Horse welfare is always a priority and ensuring these athletes’ well-being is central to her role.

The Paris Games was filled with rich culture and iconic landmarks. The equestrian events were held at the stunning grounds of the Palace of Versailles, where the horses received exceptional care with state-of-the-art facilities and services. The barns were climate-controlled, offering a stark contrast to the non-climate- controlled athletes’ village. The venue featured extensive grazing areas and two gallop tracks — one on grass and the other with footing — providing ample space for the horses to move and graze. All horses traveled with their own groom, and many teams brought their own farrier and veterinarian.

Preparation for the Olympics involved meticulous planning, including scenarios for various emergency situations. In Paris, unique challenges such as the cross-country course’s proximity to the Grand Canal (over a mile in length) required innovative safety measures, including boats with scuba-equipped emergency personnel. Dr. Sandler-Burtness praised France for its advanced animal rescue capabilities, noting that all fire departments have trained animal rescue staff. With the course covering such a large area, they also ensured a veterinarian was assigned to each of the 28 obstacles.

Despite some challenges with heat and humidity, the weather was more favorable than expected and no extreme conditions experienced with only a few days with temperatures in the 90s, unlike those seen in past Olympics such as Tokyo. The veterinary team used advanced tools like wet bulb globe thermometers and thermography cameras to monitor the ambient and horses’ temperatures, ensuring effective heat management.

COURTESY PHOTO

The equestrian events at the Paris Olympics were held at the stunning grounds of the Palace of Versailles.

A Champion of Equestrian Welfare at the Olympics

Reflecting on the equestrian performances, Dr. Sandler-Burtness offered: “Paris 2024 showcased equestrian sport to the world in an amazing light. The venue was breathtaking, and the sport was fantastic, exciting and safe.” While watching horses and riders compete in Paris, she noted a few particularly memorable moments. Highlights include: Karl Cook’s and Caracole de la Roque’s clean round that helped earn Team USA’s silver medal victory, and the piaffe and passage performance of Maxima Bella — the youngest horse in the competition at 8 years old, two years younger than any other dressage mount — with Polish rider Sandra Sysojeva.

Dr. Sandler-Burtness commended the overall success of the Games, with no severe injuries reported and minor incidents managed effectively by a team of over 80 veterinary professionals. The on-site recovery facilities were well-equipped, and nearby world-renowned veterinary referral centers were available for more complex cases.

Looking ahead to future Olympics, Dr. Sandler-Burtness expressed hope for continued improvements, particularly in maintaining high standards of horse welfare. She praised the new addition of the role of equine welfare coordinator to this year’s Olympics, who monitored and offered advisory oversight on the horses’ welfare throughout the competition. She emphasized the collective responsibility of the equestrian community to enhance the sport's perception and ensure its positive portrayal.

As the world anticipates the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Dr. Sandler-Burtness looks forward to showcasing equestrian sport on home soil, building on the successes of Paris.