Apparently a surprise?
nope
I know nothing about it, so wondered what those who do know and are interested think about it.
So the article (editorial) is incorrect? It did sound as if the person left off the list was surprised.
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I think there was an assumption that they would take the top 8 on the list in ranked order, and that Adrienne’s two horses would only count as 1 spot (i.e. 8 riders, not 8 horses).
In the end, they chose to send 8 horses, and Adrienne took 2 of those spots. Then, the selectors chose to take #8 (a new combination) over #7 (an longstanding combination). Looking at the scores relative to the lengths of the partnership and potential for improvement during the European tour, it seems pretty understandable. Also, since the horse going in the 8th spot is a longshot to make the team, I’m sure they’re looking at the investment potential for experience/exposure for a future team slot too.
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I will never be in a position to make a short list in anything - but I’d have to ask myself as no. 8 on the list if it was worth the expense and time away from my business to go to Europe for 6 weeks with a very outside chance of making the final team selection.
It does sound like from Sarah’s interview that she was surprised to be left off the short list - though her last two outings did not go well - she really only made the top eight based on her Pan Am score boosting her average.
That has always been an issue when selecting dressage teams in particular. The scores are so subjective and the committee always leaves themselves the loophole of naming teams that are deemed a good medal chance even if they have not completed the full qualifying guidelines. The committee want to send a strong team, but if we never send anyone other than Steffen/Jan/Adrienne it is hard to develop more talent with true upper level international experience.
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I feel bad for Sarah. She and her family are good people and are very nice. I’m sure they are devastated.
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When there are limited spots available, there’s something about awarding two slots (two horses) to one rider when only one horse can be competed at the target competition (Olympics), which causes another horse/rider combo to drop out at the last minute, even though they met the qualifying criteria to move forward to the next round, that just doesn’t sit well (MHO).
The future investment theory may work on paper, but there’s no guarantee that the investment (recently purchased) will hold in the next few years. Horses are sold, become unsound and need time off, the horse doesn’t compete well under pressure, owners become unhappy with riders and take horses home, etc. The investment evaporates.
Meanwhile an established, qualified horse/rider team, who has invested PLENTY, has lost their chance to make an Olympic team, through no fault of their own.
I don’t know Sarah, but I wish her all the best.
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I watched her rides on the live stream at the last 2 qualifying shows hoping the horse would have finally developed a piaffe and unfortunately it has not, and the low scores (between 63-68%) understandably keep it out of contention for a spot on the short list (70%+ average) even though her average was 70% as well. Plus I believe her PanAm scores are inflated by a couple % points since it was run with the small tour.
As I understand one rider having two horses did not take her spot as she could have still been selected
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Thanks for the opinions/explanations. 
It’s nice to see some younger and different faces on that list. Too bad for Sarah, to be sure, but the numbers are the numbers.
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Where is Adrienne Lyle’s 2nd horse ? Lars van de Hoenderheide
He has shown once, I think, over there. Per Adrienne’s FB page, she withdrew him as he didn’t feel quite right. That was a couple weeks ago.
