Team USA Disqualified in Dressage at the Paris Olympics

The Americans on Team USA have been eliminated from team competition on only Day 1 of Dressage at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Marcus Orlab in his Olympic debut was the first of Team USA to enter the ring. During the canter zig-zag, he was stopped abruptly by the judges. The judges had spotted blood on his horse's back leg. 

Jane, the 10 year old mare owned by Alice Tarjan, suffered a very small cut to the back leg. Marcus said that when she came into the arena, she saw the crowd for the first time and reacted with a small rear. He suspects that she stepped on herself during her energetic entrance, causing the small cut. 

Orlab said, 'I was happy and excited to go down centerline; clearly Jane was too. It was a little bit of a, I would say, explosive entry. I believe she may have nicked herself in the entry, because I never had this issue. She felt in the ring amazing. I was super happy with her. Once she went down centerline, she settled nicely.” Marcus was sad to hear the bell from the judges telling him to stop, because he knew something wasn't right, but Jane was doing her job. 

Marcus went on to explain that the crowd made Jane nervous, but she performed very well after that. They were marking well until the judges called it quits for the pair at the sight of blood. Orlab described the cut as 'nearly just a mosquito bite,' however According to the rules, any presence of blood calls for immediate elimination. 

This regulation is largely influenced by PETA and their oversight of the event. This year, PETA released a statement expressing their opinion that the equine events 'must go.' Every precaution, rule, and regulation are continually being made to be sure that the equine athletes are treated fairly. Both the horse and riders wellbeing are always put first during all events. 

Each dressage team is made up of three horse and rider pairs, along with one traveling reserve. Many other Olympic events allow for substitutions in an event like this, however the dressage event does not allow for this. Dressage pairs must not be substituted once the action has began. 

Orlabs team mates Steffen Peters aboard Suppenkasper and Adrienne Lyle on Helix will now only be eligible to compete as individuals in the Grand Prix test. 

Marcus is a very successful trainer equipped with all the experience and tools to perform well at the Olympics, before this time there was cut short. Orlab was born in Germany and spent much of his youth horseback. At the young age of 21, he debuted at the Grand Prix. He competed and won across Europe before moving to the United States begin his own equine training facility. Jane and him have had much success this year, and was well prepared for their Olympic debut in hopes of a gold medal in their near future alongside their teammates. Unfortunately, the teams dressage dreams were dashed quickly in Paris. 

The Dressage event among other equine events will continue in Paris tomorrow morning, July 31.