Roosendaal, The Netherlands – Three athletes who are members of the Dressage Squad for European Observation Events will compete at CDI4* Roosendaal, The Netherlands, June 3-5. The competition is a designated observation event as part of the selection process for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Dressage Team. With two observation events remaining before the selection of the U.S. Olympic Dressage Team, Laura Graves, Steffen Peters, and Guenter Seidel will aim for solid performances in an event full of international talent. 

All three athletes will compete in Friday’s Grand Prix, which is the qualifier for the Grand Prix Special on Saturday. Graves (Geneva, Fla.) continues her Olympic quest with Verdades. She and her own KWPN gelding had a solid showing at CDIO5* Compiegne. They won a Team Gold medal as part of The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team and placed second in the Grand Prix. Prior to their 2016 overseas debut, they found much success at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Graves and Verdades won the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special at the CDI5* presented by Diamante Farms, the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle at the CDI4* presented by Havensafe Farm, and were Team Gold medalists at CDIO3* Wellington presented by Stillpoint Farm, where they also won Individual Gold.

Peters (San Diego, Calif.) will make his first 2016 overseas and observation event debut. He will compete with Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92 in Friday’s Grand Prix. Peters and Legolas 92 dominated the West Coast circuit earlier this year, winning all of their CDI outings. Last summer, Peters and Legolas 92 represented the U.S. at the Pan American Games, winning both Team and Individual Gold medals.  

In addition to Legolas 92, Peters will ride Four Winds Farm’s Rosamunde in Saturday’s Grand Prix, which is the qualifier for the Grand Prix Freestyle on Sunday. He and the 2007 Rheinlander mare have had an impressive career thus far, finishing in the top two in all CDI outings, including wins in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CDI3* presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, and in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle at the Festival of the Horse CDI3*.

Seidel (Cardiff, Calif.) will compete with James and Charlotte Mashburn's Zero Gravity. Seidel and the 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding had an excellent showing on the West Coast winter circuit. They took multiple top placings in CDI competition including wins at the Mid-Winter Dressage CDI-W and Del Mar CDI3*.

Competition begins Friday at 4:30 a.m. ET. Find out more information about CDI Roosendaal and view live results here.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.