Luxembourg Gives Nicolas Wagner Ehlinger Priority for Olympic Selection

Dressage

Luxembourg

Luxembourg will be giving Nicolas Wagner Ehlinger priority for individual selection for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Other Grand Prix riders challenging or besting Wagner Ehlinger's current scores do not matter in the selection process.

"Priority"

Paul Engel, secretary general of the Luxembourg NF (FSLE), told Eurodressage that "for Luxemboug it's Nicolas Wagner Ehlinger who has the priority to go."

Engel explained that, "after the closing of the Olympic Ranking in 2023 the LUX NOC (COSL) decided that the rider who achieved the individual slot for LUX, has the priority to go to the Olympics 2024. To choose the best preparation for his horse."

Olympic Ranking in 2023

In 2023 Wagner was Luxembourg's highest ranked rider by 31 December, standing 64th on the Olympic ranking and in second place for Group B behind Portugal's Maria Caetano. Right behind Wagner was Luxembourg's Fie Skarsoe in third place for Group B (or 73rd on the overall Olympic ranking).

Both Portugal and Luxembourg obtained an individual Olympic slot that way. Portugal went on to clinch a team selection after Brazil failed to meet the team criteria.

Individual Selection

Riders unlock an individual slot for their country/national federation and in the year of the Olympics, National federations 'normally' give that spot to the horse-and-rider combination which has been scoring the highest in the months before the Games (and whose horse is the fittest).

Luxembourg goes against the grain by pre-assigning the slot to a preferred rider, no matter if other combinations are scoring better.

"In case of something happen(ing) with Nicolas or his horse, Fie will be the backup," Engel told Eurodressage.

Engel did not provide a reply to Eurodressage's question whether this does not conflict with fair play, objectivity, and a level of field of play for athlete selection.

COSL's Initiative

Sophie Rossy, member of the Luxembourg dressage committee, explains that this decision is made by its national olympic committee (COSL - Comité Olympique et Sportif Luxembourgeois). She does not say whether COSL decided this upon recommendation of the Luxembourg Equestrian Federation (FSLE) or whether COSL imposed this decision upon its own initiative.

"As Fie and Nicolas are currently at the same level, the Dressage commission has been informed that priority will be given to the rider who has achieved the individual slot for Luxembourg," Rossy told Eurodressage. "We appreciate that the COSL has taken this decision for the benefit of the horses and with the aim of a perfect preparation to the Olympics for the rider and his partner."

Rossy is president of the FLSE dressage committee alongside Jens Thorsen, Monique Halsdorf, and Roland Mathay.

Wagner vs Skarsoe

The FLSE has indicated that Fie Skarsoe is their second choice for Olympic representation.

Skarso on Imperador dos Cedros e at the 2024 CDI Hagen

This 2024 show season Wagner has competed his 15-year old Hanoverian Quater Back Jr (by Quaterback x Bonheur) at the CDI Doha (69.870% in the GP) and CDIO Compiegne (69.261% in the GP, 68.234% in the GP Special). The pair is due to ride at the CDI Le Mans this weekend.

Skarsoe and the 11-year old Lusitano Imperador dos Cedros (by Rubi x Hostil) competed at the 2024 CDI Lier (70.413% in the GP), CDI Troisdorf (68.913% in the GP, 69.830% in the GPS), CDI Hagen (68.609% in the GP), and CDI Aachen Dressage Days (70.870% in the GP, 70.043% in the Special). Skarsoe is scheduled to compete at the CDIO Aachen at the start of July.

Rossy commented on both riders. "The remarkable results that Fie and her partner Imperador dos Cedros have achieved in recent weeks show that she is ambitious and well prepared, both mentally and physically, to take on the challenge if the COSL must withdraw its decision for any unforeseen reason," she said.

She continued, "Nicolas not only demonstrates he’s fully focused on his Olympic participation but his determination and ambitious character shows Nicolas’ aim to deliver a top performance together with his long time partner Quater Back Junior FRH. We're sure he will demonstrate his and « Juni »’s qualities once again in the next few days"