U.S. Olympian Steffen Peters suffered a health scare on Monday night 4 December which took him into the hospital. He was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism and needs to follow a treatment plan.
The news of Peters' hospitalization first became known on social media through a post that his appearance for a Masterclass in Australia had been cancelled. Peters was invited as clinician to the Victorian Dressage Festival at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre on 9 - 10 December 2023.
"We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen medical circumstances requiring hospitalisation, Steffen Peters is unable to attend the event, we are wishing him a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with him at this challenging time," the show organizer posted. New Zealand Grand Prix rider Vanessa Way will be substituting for him.
The California based Steffen Peters confirmed to Ken Braddick of Dressage-News that he suffered from "blood clots in his lungs and left leg. Unfortunately, very painful. I hope to be back in the show arena early January."
His doting wife, Grand Prix rider Shannon Peters, told Eurodressage that "h’s home and resting , and hopefully will be back on his feet soon."
Peters is a five-time U.S. Olympian with four different horses: Udon in 1996, Ravel in 2008 and 2012, Legolas in 2016, and Suppenkasper in 2021. With the latter he is aiming for the 2024 Paris Olympics and is currently American's highest scoring Grand Prix rider.
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