Will Charlotte Dujardin’s Paris Olympics Exit Affect Team USA? Adrienne Lyle’s Gold Chance Skyrockets After Major Equestrian Shocker

“24 times … like an elephant in a circus.” Those words have been enough to send shivers down the spine of each dressage fan and enough to send Charlotte Dujardin out of the Paris Olympics. On July 23, the international governing body, FEI, accused the three-time Olympic champion of equine abuse after an anonymous video clip showed her beating an equine with a whip in a private stable. Although the video was four years old, FEI didn’t go easy on her, handing her a six-month ban. The 39-year-old will not be participating for Team GB in the dressage competition in Paris. Would that lead to a chance of helping Team USA succeed in the French capital? 

The US prospect Adrienne Lyle has a memory of going against Charlotte Dujardin in the Olympics. Lyle has had a bittersweet journey. She faces fewer obstacles now as the British champion is off the stage. Let’s dive into that discussion. 

Charlotte Dujardin’s exit gate opens a chance for Adrienne Lyle 

This time, before the Paris Olympics, two things filled Adrienne Lyle’s mind. One is her 9-month-old daughter, Bailey, and another is her newly formed bond with her equine, Helix. Last year, the 39-year-old bought the Dutch Warmblood gelding eyeing the Paris Olympics solely. Since then, she has been trying hard to make camaraderie with the equine. Her additional effort in the preparation in Zen Elite Equestrian Center puts a seal on that. All this while, she remembers her experience in the Tokyo Olympics. 

Three years ago, Team USA left the Tokyo Olympics with two silver medals while participating in six events. Coincidentally, in one of those silver medal-winning events, the team had to face Charlotte Dujardin. However, in the individual dressage event, the sides locked horns. But that’s another story. Initially, Team USA and Team GB came face-to-face in the team dressage event. Thankfully, Adrienne Lyle’s extra effort with her 14-year-old Sandro Hit stallion Salvino gave the Stars and Stripes an upper age. The squad won silver by defeating the Charlotte Dujardin-starred British team. However, things changed unexpectedly later. 

Adrienne Lyle qualified in the individual dressage round after scoring 74.876% in the Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Charlotte had a better say, with 80.963%. But the former missed the final as she opted out. Revealing the reason for her backing off, Adrienne said, “This morning, Salvino did not feel quite like his usual self and last night’s historic team medal was an extraordinary accomplishment, and we are proud of the team’s incredible effort.” In her next step, she kept herself away from the arena, cheering the squad. 

But Adrienne had to watch Dujardin take home the bronze medal in the individual dressage event. That experience made the American stand on her toes this time. She wasn’t ready to keep any loose end in her preparation. She has continued her practice despite having a 9-month-old baby. Things have seemed challenging from time to time. However, the British standout’s exit has decreased the competition on a few fronts. Still, a few factors are still there. 

The German champion and the legendary know it all 

Hardly anybody has come in dressage as consistent as Jessica von Bredow-Werndl. The 38-year-old took both the team and individual dressage titles at the Paris Olympics. The form continued as she kept winning the European Championships in 2023 and the World Cup in 2022 and 2023. Her victory in 2022 attracted a lot of eyes.

While winning the 2022 FEI Dressage World Cup Final Grand Prix Freestyle in Leipzig, she proved herself way above others with a score of 90.836%. She is thoroughly looking at the Paris Olympics to land another clean sweep, as she did last year in the European and World Championships. Apart from her, Adrienne Lyle could face a contest from a monument. 

From the German camp, Isabell Werth will be at the Paris Olympics, aiming to be the most successful woman Olympian ever. The 55-year-old equestrian star has won 12 Olympic medals in six different Olympics. Last time in Tokyo as well, she gave a fitting competition in the individual dressage, winning the silver medal. This time, the legend might only settle for gold. She will be another challenge for Adrienne Lyle to look out for when Charlotte Dujardin is away.