Isabel Freese has been nominated as Norway's individual dressage rider for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Norway obtained an individual slot for Paris thanks to Freese's ranking on the FEI Olympic Riders Ranking in 2023.
Isabel Freese (née Bache) is employed as head rider at Paul Schockemöhle's stallion station in Mühlen, Germany, and rides Total Hope, a 12-year old Oldenburg licensed stallion by Totilas out of Isabell Werth's 2016 Olympic mare Weihegold (by Don Schufro x Sandro Hit). Total Hope is owned by Schockemöhle in partnership with Danish Lone Boegh Henriksen.
Freese and Total Hope competed this year at the CDI Doha, Mannheim, and the Aachen Dressage Days, before heading to the CDI Kronberg last weekend, where they won the Grand Prix (74.500%) and kur to music (80.950%).
The Norwegian equestrian federation has not nominated a reserve pair. "Norway has just been able to (put) Isabel Freese on the list, since she is the only one that is qualified," Ingrid Dokmo, the sports co-ordinator for the Norwegian NF told Eurodressage.
Freese will be joined by Norwegian jumper rider Victoria Gulliksen in Paris.
"We are happy to be represented in both jumping and dressage, and we are proud of both teams that will represent Norway in Paris. There are two riders who have both worked purposefully throughout their careers and who can now see that all the work they have put in over many years has led to them being taken out of the Olympic top to ride for Norway. It's big, really big – it takes more to be taken out than 'just' being eligible. It is a needle's eye to get through, and we are proud that we have equipment that has what is required from the Olympic summit to represent Norway," said NRYF sports manager Nina Johnsen.
Photo © Stefan Lafrentz
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