After a disappointing observation event at the Rome CSIO, Solem went home for a few days then back to Europe to prepare for their second and final observation event at the Rotterdam CSIO (the Netherlands). There she and VDL Wizard logged two 8-fault rounds in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, and the U.S. team finished in overall fifth.

When the U.S. show jumping team for the Rio Olympic Games was named, Solem's name wasn't on the list.

Callan Solem and VDL Wizard completed their first observation event at the Rome CSIO last week, where Solem jumped to 8 faults in Round 1 of the Nations Cup and 4 in Round 2. The U.S. team finished in a tie for second overall. 

We didn’t have the result I was hoping for in Rome. There were a few things that didn’t go to plan, and we had to make some decisions that were in Wizard’s best interest, but that didn’t help the results in the ring. That’s sports, and that’s horses. 

VDL Wizard’s road to the top of the sport has been anything but straightforward. But rider Callan Solem has never doubted that he had the heart to go all the way, and he’ll prove her right when the two make their debut together at the Longines FEI World Cup Final.