Florian Bacher Skipped Last Austrian Olympic Team Selection Trial in Achleiten

Dressage

Austria

Austrian Grand Prix riders met one last time at the CDI Achleiten on 13 - 16 June 2024 where the final Austrian Olympic selection trial was held. Biggest absentee was Florian Bacher with Fidertraum.

The Final Stretch Before Paris

Candidates for an Olympic team spot, according to the press office of CDI Achleiten, are Christian Schumach (Te Quiero), Victoria Max-Theurer (Abegglen), Stefan Lehfeller (Roberto Carlos MT), Diana Porsche (Dahoud) and Lisa Wernitznig (Quintus), who were all entered for Achleiten, where a "final test of form before Paris" took place. Several of them were no-shows.

The CDI Achleiten is hosted by Elisabeth Max-Theurer, president of the Austrian Equestrian Federation (OEPS).

"Our team has already achieved very pleasing results in the run-up to this final Olympic selection show," said Elisabeth Max-Theurer. "Now it's a matter of each pair showing themselves again under the same conditions. We have a top-class panel of judges and perfect conditions all round. After all, it's the Olympics and, as in the other disciplines, we want to send the currently best pairs to dressage!"

Florian Bacher Receives Dispensation

Florian Bacher, who has been a member of the Austrian team at the 2021 Olympics, 2021 and 2023 Europeans and 2022 World Championships, did not compete in Achleiten.

In 2024 he has so far competed his 15-year old Fidertraum (by Fidertanz) twice: in Basel he got 72.087% in the Grand Prix and in Mannheim he posted 72.587%

"Florian asked me if he could skip the Grand Prix on Friday because Fidertraum is currently showing symptoms of illness with a cough that requires veterinary treatment," said Austrian team captain Diana Wunschek. "This is all about the horses' well-being and about ensuring that the two of them can head to the Olympics in top shape after their outstanding performances this season!"