USA Media Guide
Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games August 23 – September 7, 2014 Normandy, France
Dressage
The U.S. Dressage Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games The following horse-and-athlete combinations have been named to the U.S. Dressage Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and are in alphabetical order. The substitutes are in ranked order. The dressage competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will take place August 25-29, 2014 at d’Ornano Stadium in Caen, France.
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Dressage - Team 3 Dressage Championships, the pair was second in the Intermediaire II Championship. They then traveled to the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan and claimed top honors in the Intermediate II Open Championship. Graves has had her biggest year to date in 2014. Beginning the year at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), she moved Verdades up to the Grand Prix level and won the Grand Prix Test during week three. The pair had another great performance during week seven, coming in second in the Grand Prix Special. Graves and Verdades then scored two more second-place finishes during the final week of the AGDF in the CDI3* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle. They then traveled to the KDA 28th Annual Dressage Show, where they were second in the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle. On a roll, Graves took Verdades to the U.S. Dressage Festival of Championship presented by The Dutta Corp. She and Verdades were second in the Grand Prix Special Photo Credit: SusanJStickle.com
Laura Graves Born: July 22, 1987 Residence: Geneva, Fla.
Verdades – 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by the rider Laura Graves is an accomplished international FEI com-
and Grand Prix Freestlye, and tied for fourth in the Grand Prix Test, to finish second overall in The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship. Their performance earned them a spot on the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team, enabling them to compete in Europe for the first time. At CDI4* Fritzens-Schindlhof, Graves and Verdades scored two second-place finishes in the Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Special. Two weeks later at CDIO5* Aachen, they were eighth in the Grand Prix Special, and tied for 10th in the Grand Prix Freestyle.
petitor and USDF Gold Medalist who has been studying the art of dressage for over 20 years. Graves has brought her mount, Verdades, up the levels herself with the guidance of trainers after her mother picked him in a video out as foal. In 2012, Graves and Verdades led Team USA II to a thirdplace finish in the WEF Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm. Individually, the pair was third in the Prix St. Geroges Test and fourth in the Intermediaire Freestyle. At the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, Graves and Verdades were eighth overall in the USEF National Intermediaire I Championship. In 2013, Graves competed Verdades at the Intermediaire II level. At the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Dressage - Team years training and showing in Europe, with two years as a student of Herbert Rehbein, then Rudolf Zeilinger, and after that, Klaus Balkenhol. Konyot returned to the U.S. in 1999 with the young stallion, Justice, to compete in the final Olympic Selection Trial where they finished seventh. Early in 2000, Konyot won the Grand Prix at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W. In 2004, Konyot partnered with Anna Karenina, winning the Grand Prix at the Florida Dressage Classic in Wellington in only their third outing. The pair was short-listed for the 2004 Olympic Games and finished seventh in the Selection Trials. Konyot began competing Calecto V in early 2007, and the big black stallion has gone from strength-to-strength in just a few short years. In his first Grand Prix Freestyle, Konyot guided him to the win at the World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle at Dressage at Devon in September of 2009. The pair was on a tear in 2010, winning eight Grand Prix, Photo Credit: SusanJStickle.com
Tina Konyot
Born: September 12, 1961 Residence: Palm City, Fla. Calecto V – 1998 Danish Warmblood stallion owned by Tina Konyot For Tina Konyot, horses are truly second nature. Her family spans five generations of horsemanship and circusring performance. Konyot’s grandfather, Arthur Konyot, occupied center ring in the acclaimed Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He then trained horses owned by numerous celebrities and was inducted into the Circus Hall of Fame in 1974. Konyot’s father, Alex Konyot, also a member of the Circus Hall of Fame, started an equine training facility in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. In the course of his more than 80-year career, he played a role in guiding multiple young riders to huge successes, including six-time U.S. Olympian Robert Dover. Konyot began riding at a very young age and has been honing her skills ever since. In the 1990s, she spent five
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seven of those consecutively. In February, they won the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2010 Wellington Classic, followed by wins in the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special a month later at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby. In April at the Kentucky Cup CDI3* Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games test event, the pair captured the Grand Prix and was then awarded its highest score to date in the Grand Prix Freestyle. In July, Konyot and Calecto V traveled to Germany to compete in the prestigious CDIO Aachen, where they placed 10th in the Grand Prix Special and eighth in the Freestyle. The pair then returned stateside to contest the 2010 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions. Konyot and Calecto V dominated the Grand Prix division, winning all four tests on their way to being crowned the National Grand Prix Champion. That fall, they represented the U.S. at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., where they helped the U.S. to a fourth-place finish and qualified for the Grand Prix Special. In March 2011, Konyot and Calecto V were second in the Grand Prix Test, behind WEG teammate Steffen Peters, at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by
Dressage - Team Polo Club International. The following night they earned a
In 2014, Konyot kicked off the season with a second-
third-place finish in the Freestyle. In the fall, the pair fin-
place finish with Calecto V in the Grand Prix Freestyle
ished second in the Grand Prix Test, Grand Prix Special, and
during Week Five of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival
Grand Prix Freestyle at the Collecting Gaits Farm/ USEF
(AGDF). Only two weeks later at AGDF the pair aided the
Dressage Festival of Champions.
USA I team to a Gold medal in the Wellington Nations Cup
Konyot and Calecto V started off 2012 by winning the
CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm. Konyot also earned
Grand Prix Freestyle and finishing second in the Grand Prix
the Individual Bronze medal for her Grand Prix Freestyle
Test at the Gold Coast Opener. At the WEF Dressage Clas-
with Calecto V. During Week 10 of AGDF, Konoyt and
sic, the pair took top honors in the Grand Prix Special and
Calecto V placed second in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Two
placed second in the Grand Prix Test. Konyot and Calecto
weeks later for the final week of AGDF, the pair ended the
V’s year continued to impress going into the summer as the
winter season on a high note, winning the Grand Prix Free-
pair contested the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Cham-
style CDI5* with a score of 79.250% and finishing second in
pions and Selection Trials for the U.S. Dressage Team in
the Grand Prix Test.
Gladstone, N.J. The pair won the third round, the Grand Prix
Konyot and Calecto V traveled to Lyon, France to com-
Test, with a score of 80.149% and finished second in the
pete in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final. They
other three rounds to finish second overall in the Grand Prix
were 11th in the Grand Prix Test and 12th in the Grand Prix
Championship for the second year in a row. Later that sum-
Freestyle.
mer, Konyot and Calecto V represented the United States at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Konyot and Calecto V began 2013 by winning at almost
Returning to the states, Konyot and Calecto V headed to the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. The pair was third in the Grand Prix Test
every turn. The pair won FEI Grand Prix Tests at the Inter-
and finished The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage
national Horse Sport Dressage Premiere, the Gold Coast
National Championship in fifth place, earning a place on the
Opener, and the Wellington Classic Spring Challenge. Kon-
Short List.
yot and Calecto V then took top honors in the FEI Grand
She headed to Europe during the summer and found
Prix Freestyle at the Florida Dressage Classic. At the WEF
success at CDI4* Fritzens-Schindlhof. Konyot and Calecto
Dressage Classic, the pair was victorious in the FEI Grand
V were third in the Grand Prix Test and fourth in the Grand
Prix and FEI Grand Prix Freestyle. Konyot and Calecto V
Prix Freestyle.
finished third in the Grand Prix Freestyle and fifth in the Grand Prix Test at the Wellington 5* presented by Diamante
Konyot teaches and trains at her farm in North Stonington, Conn., and at her parents’ farm in Stuart, Fla.
Farms during the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. In the spring, Konyot and Calecto V traveled to Europe to compete. At the CDI3* Schloss Achleiten in Germany, the pair finished second in both the Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Special. Next, Konyot and Calecto V helped the U.S. Team to a Bronze medal at the CHIO Aachen, where they also finished 10th individually in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Just two weeks later the pair placed second and third in the Grand Prix Freestyle and Grand Prix Test, respectively, at the CDI4* Fritzens-Schindlhof in Austria. The pair returned to the U.S. and closed out a highly successful season with third-place finishes in the Open Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Freestyle classes at Dressage at Devon. 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Dressage - Team Wizard originally, before Lyle took over the ride in 2006. The pair competed at the Intermediaire I level their first year together, and by 2008 they clinched the USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage Championship. In their first National Grand Prix Championship at the 2009 Collecting Gaits/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, Lyle and Wizard made a statement by winning the Freestyle. In February of 2010, Lyle swept the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special with Felix and the Grand Prix Freestyle with Wizard at the CDI3* in Thermal. Lyle spent the early part of the summer of 2010 training and competing with Wizard in Germany. The pair finished in the top 15 at the CDI Hagen, and continued to gain experience at the CDI Munchen Reim. While in Germany, Lyle spent two weeks training with legendary dressage rider and coach Klaus Balkenhol. Lyle and Wizard had a successful year in 2011. At the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 8 Dressage Photo Credit: SusanJStickle.com
Adrienne Lyle
Born: January 2, 1985 Residence: Ketchum, Idaho Wizard – 1999 Oldenberg gelding owned by Peggy Thomas Lyle was born and raised on a small cattle ranch in Whidbey Island, Wash. Growing up, she was active in the local Pony Club and competed in eventing before focusing solely on dressage. She was a member of medal-winning teams at the 2002 North American Junior Dressage Team Championships and the 2004 North American Young Rider Championships. During the summer of 2005, Lyle began working with Debbie McDonald as a working student, and has since become assistant trainer for the Thomas family at River Grove Farm. Lyle and Wizard have been forming a solid partnership over recent years. Wizard was imported from Holland as a five-year-old by the Thomas family; McDonald rode
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Championships, the pair won the Grand Prix Freestyle and finished third in the Grand Prix Test. Lyle and Wizard finished out the year by winning both the Grand Prix Test and the Grand Prix Freestyle at Dressage at Devon. Lyle has spent the first half of 2012 cruising to strong results on the East Coast. At the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI4* presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach, Lyle and Wizard won the Grand Prix Special and finished fourth in the Grand Prix Freestyle. The pair took top honors at the 5* West Palm Beach in both the Grand Prix Test and the Grand Prix Freestyle. At the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions and Selection Trials for the U.S. Dressage Team in June, Lyle and Wizard finished fourth overall after four rounds, with a combined total of 72.558%. Later that summer, they traveled to the United Kingdom to participate in the 2012 London Olympic Games to compete as Individuals. Following their Olympic appearance, Lyle and Wizard had a light year in 2013, but still finished second in the Grand Prix Freestyle and third in the Grand Prix Test at the Gold Coast Opener CDI-W. Lyle and Wizard were back with a vengeance in 2014, beginning the year at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). During week one, the pair won the Grand Prix Test. Lyle rode Wizard to a first-place finish in the Grand Prix
Dressage - Team Special CDI4*, as well as earning second in the Grand Prix Test CDI4* during the AGDF week five. Two weeks later, the pair helped USA Team I claim top honors in the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm. Lyle also received the Individual Gold medal for her Grand Prix Freestyle with Wizard. Next up, she and Wizard won the Grand Prix Freestyle and were second in the Grand Prix Test in the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W. The pair competed in the final week of the ADGF, taking home the wins in the Grand Prix Test and the Grand Prix Special in the CDI5*. Lyle traveled to the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp with Wizard and had a strong showing. The pair was third in the Grand Prix Freestyle and fourth in the Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Special, to finish fourth overall in The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship. For their efforts, they were named to the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team. The pair then headed to Europe for the summer to hone their skills. At CDI4* Fritzens-Schindlhof, Lyle and Wizard were third in the Grand Prix Freestyle and fifth in the Grand Prix Test. They tied for 10th at CDIO5* Aachen in the Grand Prix Freestyle before finishing fourth in the Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Special at CDI3* Verden.
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Dressage - Team USEF/Collecting Gaits Farm Festival of Champions at the Grand Prix level and traveled to Aachen, Germany, to represent the U.S. in the CDIO3*. With Ravel, Peters amassed a remarkable record. Under Peters’ expert guidance, the Dutch Warmblood gelding went from strength to strength during their partnership. Ravel won every single competition he entered leading up to the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong, including the 2008 USEF Selection Trials for Dressage. At the Olympic Games, he ended up fourth by the slimmest of margins, behind horses far more experienced. It was Ravel’s first competition outside the United States. Ravel and Peters dove into 2009, winning the Grand Prix at the Exquis World Dressage Masters in Wellington, Fla., with an impressive effort. At the Rolex FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, Ravel and Peters re-wrote history, beating out nine-time (and defending) World Cup champion Anky van Grunsven and Isabell Werth, to win both the Grand Prix and Photo Credit: SusanJStickle.com
Steffen Peters
Born: September 18, 1964 Residence: San Diego, Calif. Legolas 92 – 2002 Westphalian gelding owned by Four Winds Farm Originally from Germany, Peters moved to the U.S. in 1985 and began riding for his adopted country in 1992. Since this time, Peters has represented the U.S. at numerous championships and earned many National Titles. Peters won his first Olympic medal, a Team Bronze, at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games aboard Udon. He and Floriano were the alternates on the 2004 Athens Olympic team. In 2006, Peters and Floriano swept all three phases of competition at the 2006 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship in Gladstone, N.J., landing them the anchor spot on the Bronze medal-winning team at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games. 2007 was a breakout year for Peters and Lombardi 11. They traveled to New Jersey from California to win the
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the Freestyle. In July, Ravel and Peters traveled to Germany for CDIO Aachen, where the pair won all three tests: the Grand Prix, the Grand Prix Special and the Grand Prix Freestyle. This impressive sweep marked the first time an American combination had ever achieved this feat. In 2010, Ravel and Peters traveled to Wellington, Fla., to take part in the Exquis World Dressage Masters. They beat some of the very best in the world on their way to winning the Grand Prix Test and placing second in the Freestyle. That fall the pair was the anchor for the U.S. Team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky. Peters collected the first Individual Championship medal of his career when he rode Ravel to the Bronze in the Grand Prix Special. Two nights later, Peters and Ravel put in another heroic effort to capture the Bronze again in the Freestyle. Peters and Ravel started the 2011 season by doing something that had eluded them in the previous two years at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club. They were victorious in the Grand Prix Test, for a third consecutive year, and the following evening won the Freestyle after having been second the previous two years. At the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, Peters dominated in the Grand Prix, Intermedi-
Dressage - Team aire I, and Prix St. Georges divisions. With Ravel, Peters took
92. For their efforts, Peters and Legolas 92 were named to
home top honors in the Grand Prix Test, Grand Prix Special,
the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian
and Grand Prix Freestyle. He and Weltino’s Magic won the
Games (WEG) U.S. Dressage Team. Peters also claimed
Intermediaire I Test, Intermediare I Freestyle, and the Prix
the top two spots in The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire
St. Georges Test.
I Dressage National Championship with Roasmunde and
Peters partnered with Weltino’s Magic to represent the U.S. at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara,
Apassionata, respectively. Peters traveled to Europe and maintained his top form as
Mexico. The pair performed beautifully, bringing home
he prepared for the 2014 WEG. At CDI4* Fritzens-Schindl-
Team and Individual Gold Medals for the U.S.
hof, he won the Intermediaire I and Prix St. Georges Tests
In 2012, Peters and Ravel swept the World Dressage
with Rosamunde and finished second in the Grand Prix Test
Masters CDI4* Palm Beach presented by International Polo
and Grand Prix Freestyle with Legolas 92. Peters then trav-
Club, winning the Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Freestyle.
eled to CDI3* Verden with Legolas 92 and won the Grand
Peters competed on Legolas 92 in the 2012 USEF Dres-
Prix Test and Grand Prix Special.
sage Festival of Champions and Selection Trials for the U.S. Dressage Team, where the pair nearly swept the Grand Prix,
Peters and his wife, Shannon, operate a busy training facility in the San Diego area.
winning three of the four rounds and defending his 2011 Championship with an overall score of 77.653%. Later that summer, Peters and Ravel traveled to the United Kingdom, where they participated in the 2012 London Olympic Games for the United States, Ravel’s final competition before retiring. Peters kicked off 2013 by winning the Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Freestyle at The Dressage Affaire CDI3* with Legolas 92. The pair traveled east and won the Grand Prix Test at CDI5* Wellington, as well as finishing second in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Peters and Legolas tested out their partenrship overseas and earned second-place finishes in both the Grand Prix Test and Gran Prix Freestyle at CDI4* Hagen. The pair then helped the U.S. team finish third in the CDIO5* Aachen, coming in fifth individual in the Grand Prix Test. Peters and Legolas 92 closed out the year by claiming top honors in The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, Peters’ seventh National title. In 2014, Peters began the year with top placings yet again. He and Legolas 92 won the Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Special at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI-W. They continued their winning ways at the Festival of the Horse, by taking home top honors in the CDI3* Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Freestyle. Peters was on a roll at the 2014 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp, winning The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship with Legolas 92, his eighth National Grand Prix title and second consecutive title with Legolas 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Dressage - Substitute USEF National Intermediaire I Championship with Wig Wam and ninth in the USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship with Dominion. In 2012, Francis began the year with a second-place finish in the Prix St. Georges Test and a third-place finish in the Intermediaire I Test in the CDI1* with Doktor at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge II. The pair competed in another CDI1* at the International Horse Sport Champions Cup, finishing second in the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I Tests. Francis and Doktor were on the winning U.S. Nations Cup team at the WEF Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm in April. The pair then finished in 11th place in the USEF National Intermediaire I Championship at the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. Francis kicked off 2013 with first-place finishes in the Grand Prix Special with Doktor and the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I Tests with Firleflanz. At the Wellington Photo Credit: SusanJStickle.com
Shelly Francis
Born: December 16, 1958 Residence: Loxahatchee, Fla. Doktor – 2003 Oldenburg gelding owned by Patricia Stempel Shelly Francis grew up in Bar Harbor, Maine, where her family still owns a 30-acre farm. For most of the last twenty years, she has quietly been achieving strong results in Prix St. Georges and Grand Prix competition. In 1996, with Pikant, Francis was second alternate for the U.S. Olympic team. In 1997, the pair won the USDF Grand Prix Champion Horse of the Year, and went on to compete at the 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games in Rome. Francis began 2009 by winning the Grand Prix Special with Dominion at the Gold Coast Opener. The pair then won the Grand Prix Test and finished second in the Grand Prix Special in the CDI3* at the Wellington Classic Spring Challenge. At the 2009 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, Francis finished sixth in the
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Classic Dressage Challenge II, she and Danilo won the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I Tests. The pair won the same two classes in the CDI1* at the International Horse Sport Champions Cup, where Francis also finished second in the Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Freestyle with Doktor. She partnered with Danilo again to win the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I Tests at the Wellington 5*, presented by Diamante Farms. Francis and Doktor were on the winning Nations Cup team at the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm, where they finished second in the Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Freestyle, and were third in the Grand Prix Special. Over the summer, Francis traveled to Europe. At CDIO5* Aachen, she and Doktor helped the U.S. team to a thirdplace finish in the Nations Cup. The pair then went to CDI4* Lingen and were second in the Grand Prix Test. At CDIO3* Hickstead, Francis and Doktor again helped the U.S. team to a solid Nations Cup finish, with the team earning secondplace honors. At the competition, she rode Danilo to third place in the Intermediaire I Test and Doktor to fifth place in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Returning to the U.S., Francis ended the 2013 season at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. She was fourth at both The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National and The Dutta Corp/USEF
Dressage - Substitute Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship with Doktor and Danilo, respectively. Francis started 2014 at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). She and Doktor finished second in the Grand Prix Special and third in the Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Freestyle, also helping the USA II team to fourth place in the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm during week seven. During week 10, Francis rode Danilo to a second-place finish in the Grand Prix Special CDI-W. With Doktor, Francis headed to the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp, where the pair finished seventh in The Dutta Corp/ USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship. For their efforts, they were named to the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team and traveled to compete in Europe over the summer. At CDI4* Fritzens-Schindlhof, Francis and Doktor were fifth in the Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Special. The pair was seventh in the CDIO5* Aachen Grand Prix Freestyle.
2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Dressage - Substitute Prix, with scores in the 70s and numerous wins in Wellington. She had a great 2011 season with Pikko del Cerro HU, beginning with a win at the International Horse Sport Dressage Premiere in the Prix St. Georges Test. The pair was then second in the Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI1* at the International Horse Sport Champions Cup. Wilcox and Pikko del Cerro HU scored a win at the KDA 25th Annual Dressage Show CDI1* in the Intermediaire I Test. They continued their winning ways at the USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship sponsored by The Dutta Corp and Performance Sales International, where they took home the National title. Wilcox continued her success in 2012. At the 5* West Palm Beach, Wilcox won both the Intermediaire II Test and Prix St. Georges Test with Pikko del Cerro HU and Denzello, respectively. She then rode Pikko del Cerro HU to the USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Championship supported by Photo Credit: SusanJStickle.com
Lisa Wilcox
Born: September 8, 1966 Residence: Loxahatchee, Fla. Denzello – 2003 Hanoverian gelding owned by Betty Wells Lisa Wilcox has represented the U.S. in team competition multiple times, including at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004 with Relevant, helping the U.S. capture the Bronze medal. In 2002, Wilcox and Relevant were part of the U.S. team at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Spain that took the Silver medal, marking the best finish ever for a U.S. dressage team in any World Championship or Olympic Games. The pair also finished fifth individually at the 2002 WEG. Wilcox spent 12 years in Europe, riding and competing on some of the sport’s finest horses. In 2006, Lisa returned home to the U.S. and settled in West Palm Beach, Fla. During the 2009 season, Wilcox competed with Ingred Lin’s Lusitanos, Queba HI and Quemacho HM, in the Grand
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Hilda Gurney and Carol Lavell title. She had another solid year in 2013, winning the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special at the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3* with Pikko del Cerro HU. At the Wellington CDI-W, the pair won the Grand Prix Special and was third in the Grand Prix Test. Wilcox started 2014 with Small Tour wins with Galant at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, as well as finishing third in the Grand Prix Special CDI-W at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby with Denzello. At the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp, Wilcox and Denzello were eighth in The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, earning them a spot on the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team. Spending the summer in Europe, Wilcox and Denzello had strong performances. They were seventh in the Grand Prix Special at both CDI4* Fritzens-Schindlhof and CDI4* Aachen. The pair hit its stride at CDIO3* Hickstead, finishing second in the Grand Prix Special and third in the Grand Prix Freestyle, as well as helping the U.S. Nations Cup team to a fourth-place finish.
Dressage - Staff Aachen since 1960, and Dover considers it the high point of his distinguished career. He made his international team debut at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, finishing in 17th place in the individual competition on Romantico, while the U.S. placed sixth in the team competition. Dover returned to the Olympic Games in 1988 in Seoul, where he finished in 13th place. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, Dover won his first medal, helping to lead the U.S. to a Team Bronze medal. In 1994, Dover was named “Male Equestrian of the Year” by the U.S. Olympic Committee after winning the Team Bronze medal at the FEI World Equestrian Games in The Hague and finishing fifth individually. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, he won his second Olympic medal when the U.S. finished in third place to win the Team Bronze medal for the second straight time. At the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, Dover captained the U.S. team and helped lead the Americans to another Photo Credit: USEF Archive
Robert Dover
Born: June 7, 1956 Residence: Wellington, Fla. Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover has earned more honors than any other U.S. Dressage rider, competing in six consecutive Olympic
Bronze medal, finishing behind Germany and The Netherlands. Dover clinched his sixth Games berth in 2004. In Athens, the veteran rode FBW Kennedy. He won the Team Bronze medal and finished 6th individually. To finish out his career in 2005, Dover placed 4th in the 2005 FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas. He has also taught clinics all over the world, sat on many USEF committees, and is one of the founders of the Equestrian Aid Foundation, which helps people in the horse world suffering from any life threatening illness or injury.
Games for the United States, as well as on four FEI World Equestrian Games teams and at seven FEI World Cup Finals. Dover began riding when he was 13-years old, graduated as an “A” pony-clubber, and specialized in dressage when he was 19. After attending the University of Georgia, he saw his equestrian career take off in the 1980s. After his first Olympic appearance in 1984, Dover helped the U.S. capture the North American championship the following year. In 1987, Dover defeated six-time Olympic Gold medalist Dr. Reiner Klimke to win the Aachen Grand Prix in Germany in front of a crowd of 65,000. This victory was the first time an American had won in 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Dressage - Staff Van Wieren-Page began at the United State Equestrian Federation in 2004 in the Regulation Department. For three years she worked directly on cases and with the USEF Legal Counsel during the hearing process. In 2007, Van Wieren-Page made the transition to the USEF Dressage Department working as Assistant Director. In 2007 and 2008 she worked with Managing Director of Dressage on selection procedures and team logistics for Pan American and Olympic Games. In 2010, Van WierenPage was promoted to Director of High Performance Dressage.
Photo Credit: USEF Archive
Jenny Van Wieren-Page
Born: August 4, 1981 Residence: Lexington, Ky. Team Leader Jenny Van Wieren-Page’s horse experience goes back to her childhood. At the age of two, she got her first pony and began competing in hunt seat at age eight. Van WierenPage eventually turned her focus to dressage, and by age 16 was competing in the FEI Young Rider division with her Russian Warmblood, Dancing Bear, and participating in the USDF Advanced Young Rider Program and FEI Young Rider clinics. In 2003 Van Wieren-Page graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) with a B.A. in Communication. During her time at MSU she was part of MSU Polo Team, and continued riding and competing Dancing Bear at the FEI Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I level.
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Para-Equestrian
The U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games The following horse-and-athlete combinations have been named to the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and are in alphabetical order. Combinations will be named as Team members or Individuals no later than the Horse Inspection on August 24, 2014. The para-equestrian dressage competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will take place August 25-29, 2014 at La Prairie Racecourse in Caen, France.
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Para-Equestrian - Team treatment failed, she had three brain surgeries in 2009. During one of the surgeries, Sydney suffered a stroke causing her left side to have hemiparesis. Collier has competed throughout the United States in the last two years gaining valuable experience. In June, she finished in fourth place with NTEC Cuplee at the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship, as well as finished seventh with Willi Wesley.
Photo Credit: SusanJStickle.com
Sydney Collier
Born: November 26, 1997 Residence: Ann Arbor, Mich. Grade 1b Willi Wesley- 2000 Hessen gelding owned by Victoria Dugan At just 16-years-old, Sydney Collier has already made a big impact on para-equestrian dressage. Collier has always had a love for horses and began riding at seven-years-old. The following year she was diagnosed with an extremely rare, life-threatening medical condition called Wyburn-Mason Syndrome, a syndrome which causes vascular malformations deep within one hemisphere of the brain that are inoperable, and cause many side-effects on the body. One of the side-effects for Collier was losing vision in the right eye and having strength and coordination issues on the left side of the body. In 2007, Sydney underwent multiple staged cyberknife radiation treatment to get rid of the AVM’s. After the first 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Para-Equestrian - Team In 2006, Hart was the National Champion at the USEF National Para-Equestrian Championships. With Norteassa, Hart won the 2008 National Para-Equestrian Championships and was named to the 2008 Paralympic Equestrian Team. Hart represented the U.S. at the 2008 Paralympics in Hong Kong, where she placed fourth individually. Hart also had a strong 2009 season, once again claiming the National Para-Equestrian Championship. In 2010, Hart not only defended her National Championship title, but also claimed Reserve Champion honors as well. Hart won first prize with the Dutch Warmblood gelding Kazan and reserve honors with her 2008 and 2009 National Champion and 2008 Paralympic partner, Norteassa. Hart and Norteassa represented the U.S. again at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky. In 2011, Hart had a great year, winning almost every class she entered with Lord Ludger. At the Great American InsurPhoto Credit: SusanJStickle.com
Rebecca Hart
Born: October 26, 1984 Residence: Unionville, Pa. Grade II Schroeter’s Romani- 2003 Danish Warmblood mare owned by Rebecca Hart Rebecca Hart was born with familial spastic paraplegia, a genetic disease that causes muscle wasting and lack of control from the waist down. Hart got involved with the Paralympic movement in 1998 at a regional competition in Atlanta, Georgia, that served as the selection trials for the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games. It was at that competition that Hart decided she wanted to aim for international competition herself. Hart soon purchased her first horse and began to seriously start training for national and international competition. Over the years, she has represented the U.S. at several international events, including the 2003 and 2007 Para-Equestrian World Championships.
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ance Group/USDF Region 8 Dressage Championship, Hart and Lord Ludger won the Grade II Freestyle, placed second in the Grade II Individual Test, and third in the Grade II Team Test. Hart finished out the year by winning both the Grade II Individual Test and Grade II Team Test at the CPEDI3* Werribee. Hart started out 2012 with two wins aboard Lord Ludger at the Ocala Winter Dressage Show. The pair took home top honors in two more classes at CDCTA Dressage at Morven Park. At Dressage at Saratoga, Hart and Lord Ludger won the Para-Equestrian Freestyle and two other classes. Hart had a stellar showing at the 2012 USEF National Para-Equestrian Championships and Paralympic Selection Trials in New Jersey on both her horses. Hart and Lord Ludger dominated the Grade II class, winning with a combined total of 73.501%. Hart also took third on Carlingford’s Taldi. Her score on Lord Ludger placed her first in the Overall competition, allowing her to win her fifth USEF National Para-Equestrian Championship title. She also placed eighth on Carlingford’s Taldi in the Overall results. Her accomplishment earned her a place on the U.S. Team for the 2012 London Paralympic Games. In 2014, Hart has paired up with the talented Schroeter’s Romani, competing over the winter in Wellington, Fla., before heading to Europe to contest CPEDI competi-
Para-Equestrian - Team tions. In June, the pair claimed the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship, earning Hart the sixth National Title of her career.
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Para-Equestrian - Team
Photo Credit: SusanJStickle.com
Angela Peavy Born: August 12, 1996 Residence: Avon, Conn.
Grade III Ozzy Cooper- 2006 Trakehner gelding owned by Rebecca Reno Grade III rider Angela Peavy has had a lifelong interest in horses. Peavy was born with Cerebral Palsy, which has affected her coordination and strength on the left side of her body, but she has continued to ride. Peavy began competing in para-equestrian dressage competitions in 2012, quickly rising to be one of the top competitors in the United States. At the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship, she rode Lancelot Warrior to a sixth-place finish, as well as guided Ozzy Cooper to an eighth-place finish.
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Para-Equestrian - Team the U.S. Para-Equestrian Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held in June, Treabess and Moneypenny claimed fifth-place honors. The pair finished their 2010 season by competing on the U.S. team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In 2012, Treabess returned to the ring on Fugitivo XII where the two finished second and third, respectively, in the CPEDI FEI Grade IV KUR and Grade IV Individual Championship Test. At the 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship, Treabess finished in fifth place with the PRE stallion Kamiakin.
Photo Credit: SusanJStickle.com
Susan Treabess Born: July 1, 1977 Residence: Winters, Calif.
Grade IV Kamiakin- 2005 PRE stallion owned by Kathryn Hill Susan Treabess was born without her left hand, but has ridden horses her whole life. She has been competitive in dressage since she was 16, and became involved in international para-equestrian dressage in 2006. Treabess began riding the KWPN mare, Moneypenny, in 2008. They swept each of their divisions at the 2010 Dressage Affaire FEI CPEDI3* and won the overall highpoint award. Treabess and Moneypenny also competed at the Prix St. Georges level in able-bodied dressage shows during the 2010 season. They have already been successful at Fourth and Third levels, ranking nationally at both for the past two years. At the USEF Selection Trial/National Championship for 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Para-Equestrian - Team In November of 2012, she was classified as a Grade 1a and by May 2013, she rode in her first CPEDI, receiving qualifying scores at the Golden State Dressage Show in Rancho Murieta, Calif. Trunnell is now based in Dallas, Texas, training with Kai Handt. In June of 2013, Trunnell and Nice Touch earned a thirdplace finish at the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship.
Photo Credit: SusanJStickle.com
Roxanne Trunnell Born: April 26, 1985 Residence: Rowlett, Texas
Grade 1a Nice Touch- 1995 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Sidney Trunell Roxanne Trunnell rode as an able-bodied rider in dressage, having earned her USDF Bronze medal and being very close to her Silver medal until contracting a virus in 2009 that caused swelling in her brain and changed her life forever. After a long recovery, Trunnell slowly began to learn to ride again, as well as completed a Masters program in Psychology with a focus in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, graduating in September of 2013. As graduation neared, she was ready to begin preparation for competitive dressage, and became interested in para-equestrian dressage, learning about the program in the summer of 2012 and proceeded to apply for classification.
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Para-Equestrian - Staff
Photo Credit: USEF Archive
Kai Handt
Born: August 19, 1960 Residence: Wylie, Texas Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt has a great depth of experience in the equestrian world as a competitor, trainer, and coach. Since August of 1985, Handt has owned and managed the North Texas Equestrian Center, which hosts lessons and boarding programs in addition to training equestrians of all levels in the dressage, jumping, and para-equestrian dressage disciplines. Handt has had one or more of his students compete at the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship since 2009. Riders he has coached and trained have also competed at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the 2012 Paralympic Games.
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Para-Equestrian - Staff
Photo Credit: USEF Archive
Hallye Griffin
Born: July 4, 1986 Residence: Lexington, Ky. Team Leader Hallye Griffin grew up riding in the United States Pony Club and competing in the discipline of eventing in Kentucky. She attended Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky., and majored in Political Science. Following her graduation she worked for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Organizing Committee in the Competition Department. In 2011, Griffin joined the USEF as the Director of Dressage National Programs. For the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, she is stepping into the role of Team Leader for the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage and Vaulting teams.
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Reining
The Adequan U.S. Reining Squad for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games The following horse-and-athlete combinations have been named to the Adequan U.S. Reining Squad for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and are in alphabetical order. Combinations will be named as Team members or Individuals no later than the Horse Inspection on August 24, 2014. The reining competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will take place August 25-30, 2014 at the Caen Exhibition Centre in Caen, France.
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Reining - Squad Champion on NQH Little Jac. At the 2008 Reining by the Bay, Fappani won the Open Derby Championship on the six-year-old stallion Spooks Gotta Gun, who is one of the few deaf horses to compete in reining. Fappani also rode Tinsel Jac to the Open Derby Reserve Championship. In 2009, Fappani rode Lean with Peppy Chex to a sixthplace finish in the CRI2* at Reining by the Bay. At the High Rollers Classic, he and Tinsel Jac were second in the CRI2*. The next year, he placed seventh in the CRI2* at the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) with Custom Casino, and took sixth and ninth on Custom Legend and Einsteins Revolution, respectively, at the Adequan/USEF National Reining Championship. In 2011, Fappani rode Yellow Jersey to a second-place finish at the NRBC. Fappani had a solid year in 2013. At the NRBC, he finished second and fifth in the USEF Open Reining class with Stars Photo Credit: Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman Photo
Andrea Fappani
Born: April 1, 1977 Residence: San Marcos, Calif. Custom Cash Advance – 2006 Quarter Horse stallion owned by Silver Spurs Equine Andrea Fappani was born and raised in Italy, but moved to the U.S. in the 1990s. In 2006, Fappani reached National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Million Dollar status. He is the youngest rider and the first European ever to do so. Fappani now rides under the American flag. When Fappani relocated to the U.S., he spent five years
For The Chicks and Dreamy Little Sailor, respectively. Fappani and Stars For The Chicks scored another second-place finish in the CRI3* at the Kentucky Reining Cup. He began 2014 in a big way by winning the Sun Country CRI3* with Smoking Whiz. The pair then finished third in the CRI3* at the Kentucky Reining Cup, which served as the first round of the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial. Following the second and final round of the Championship and Selection Trial, Fappani and Smoking Whiz ended up in fourth place and earned a spot on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad. He also finished in fifth place with Custom Cash Advance. Fappani and his wife, Tish, have two sons, Luca and Jeremy. The Fappanis run a successful training and breeding business, Fappani Performance Horses, in San Marcos, Calif.
as an assistant to Todd Bergen, who also is a NRHA Million Dollar Rider. In 1997, he placed sixth in the Non Pro division at the NRHA Futurity. In 2000, Fappani won the NRHA Futurity Intermediate Open Championship riding Hagans Sugarman. He became the first European rider to win the NRHA Futurity Open Championship in 2001 with RR Star. At the 2004 NRHA Derby, Andrea was Co-Reserve 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Reining - Squad Dunnits Easter Bunny in 1994, for the first of eight times. In 2002, Flarida represented the U.S. at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, on San Jo Freckles. He returned home a Team and Individual Gold medalist. During 2004, Flarida again found success in Europe. He collected the World Reining Trophy Reserve Champion title, the Reining Challenge Open Championship in Kreuth, Germany, and the Americana Reserve title in Augsburg, Germany. In 2006, Flarida began a streak of collecting both Champion and Reserve honors at the same show. At the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic, he won with Walla Walla Whiz and was second riding Western Whiz. That same year, he also won his first NRBC Championship on Einsteins Revolution. 2008 was a huge year for Flarida. He was the first person to win first and second at the National Reining Breeders Classic. Aboard Wimpys Little Chic, Flarida won the NRHA Futurity, the NRBC, and the NRHA Derby – the first time Photo Credit: Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman Photo
Shawn Flarida
Born: April 30, 1969 Residence: Springfield, Ohio Spooks Gotta Whiz – 2007 Quarter Horse stallion owned by Michell Kimball Shawn Flarida knew from a very young age that he wanted to train horses. Upon graduating from high school in 1988, he went to work for his brother, Mike Flarida, who already was running a successful business as a reining trainer. Flarida has won five NRHA Open Futurity championships, as well as eleven All-American Quarter Horse Congress Futurity titles. He is the all-time NRHA leading money earner, and the only NRHA Five Million Dollar Rider. Throughout the 1990s, Flarida won many championships, including the NRHA Derby Limited Open Reserve Championship in 1991 and 1993. He won his first big paycheck when he was fifth in the NRHA Open Futurity on Peponitas Mr, and he won the All-American Quarter Horse Congress on
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this had ever been done. It was also in 2008 that Flarida became the first-ever NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider. 2009 played out to be another great year for Flarida, as he was second in the USEF National Championship on KR Lil Conquistador. The pair also won the CRI2* at the Kentucky Cup Reining event in July. On Smart Spook, Flarida won the CRI2* at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic. Flarida claimed victory in the 2010 Adequan/USEF Open Reining Championships riding RC Fancy Step with a total score of 446.5. He was also seventh at the same competition on Wimpys Little Chic. Riding RC Fancy Step, Flarida completed the 2010 season by winning the Team Gold medal at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky. Flarida had outstanding 2011 and 2012 seasons. He started 2011 with a fifth-place finish at the National Reining Breeders Classic with KR Lil Conquistador, and nine days later the pair won the Kentucky Reining Cup CRI5*. Flarida returned to the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup on Wimps Chocolate Chip in 2012, piloting the horse to Flarida’s second straight victory at the event. He continued his winning ways at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic. With Shiners Chic, he won the USEF Open Qualifier and the 2012 Adequan/ USEF National Open Reining Championship.
Reining - Squad 2013 was another winning year for Flarida. Kicking things off at the Kentucky Reining Cup, he and Wimps Quixote Cody took top honors in the CRI3*. The pair’s score of 226.5 helped Team Ariat Boots win the Team CRI3* Open FEI Reining competition. Flarida returned to Kentucky in July and claimed another CRI3* victory with RC Fancy Step. The pair then took the All-American Quarter Horse Congress by storm, collecting another CRI3* win. Flarida began 2014 in a big way at the Kentucky Reining Cup. With Spooks Gotta Whiz, he claimed his third consecutive win at the Kentucky Reining Cup, earning top honors in the CRI3*, which served as the first round of the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial. To top off the weekend, Flarida maintained his excellent form in the second round and won the National Championship and Selection Trial, claiming the Adequan/ USEF Open Reining National Championship title and earning himself a spot on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad. Flarida and his wife, Michelle, have three children, Cody, Courtney, and Sam. The family runs a successful training business in Springfield, Ohio.
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Reining - Squad CRI3*. He began 2014 at the Kentucky Reining Cup. In the CRI3*, which served as the first round of the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad, Heikes and Lil Gun Dunit were fifth. Following the second round, the pair finished sixth in the Championship and Selection Trial, earning themselves a place on the Squad. Heikes and his wife, Andrea, own and operate Troy Heikes Quarter Horses.
Photo Credit: Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman Photo
Troy Heikes
Born: July 12, 1964 Residence: Scottsdale, Ariz. Lil Gun Dunit – 2006 Quarter Horse gelding owned by Denise Bixler and Steve Tarani Troy Heikes is a respected professional trainer with over $500,000 in lifetime NRHA earnings. He has made the finals of every major NRHA category-two event, including the NRHA Open Futurity, the NRHA Open Derby, the NRBC, CRBC, and the AQHA Congress Futurity. Troy also is a multiple APHA World Champion and AQHA World Show finalist, and has won the Kansas Sunflower Slide Futurity, the RMRHA Summerslide Futurity, and the CRBC Futurity. Heikes owned and found great success with Jacs Electric Spark, an NRHA Open Futurity & Derby Finalist and NRBC Finalist, with over $85,000 in NRHA earnings. Heikes scored top performances in 2013. At the NRBC he and Lil Gun Dunit were sixth in the USEF Open Reining class. The pair improved to fourth at NRHA Derby in the
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Reining - Squad an NRHA Judge. In September 2008, Larson and Lena Gallo traveled to Manerbio, Italy, to be part of the U.S. team at the FEI World Reining Championships. Larson left Italy an Individual Gold and Team Silver medalist. He finished out the year with a second-place finish with Lena Gallo in the Open Reining class at the FEI World Reining Masters. Larson was the 2009 APHA World Champion, riding Dolled Up Gunner. He also was second in the CRI at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic with Einsteins Revolution, and sixth with Moonshine N Juice in the Open Finals at the NRHA Futurity. Larson closed out 2009 with a 10th-place finish in the CRI2* at the AQHA World Championship Show with Ali Oops. At the 2010 National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC), Larson and Make It With A Twist finished second in the CRI2*. He scored a big win in 2013, taking top honors in the Photo Credit: Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman Photo
Jordan Larson
Born: March 21, 1981 Residence: Whitesboro, Texas HF Mobster – 2008 Quarter Horse stallion owned by Heritage Farm Jordan Larson has always had a passion and love for horses and reining. He was homeschooled through high school, graduating early so he could begin his reining career by apprenticing for Doug Milholland in 1997. In 2001, while working for Pete Kyle, Larson won his first major title, the NRHA Limited Open World Championship,
USEF Open Reining class with Custom Cash Advance at the NRBC. Larson has performed well in 2014. At Winter Slide, he was fifth with Shining Shoes in the Open Reining class. Larson then traveled to the Kentucky Reining Cup with HF Mobster. The pair was fourth in in the CRI3*, which served as the first round of the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad. In the second round Larson and HF Mobster improved to a third-place finish, earning them a place on the U.S. Reining Squad for WEG. Larson and his wife, Taylor, who is also an NRHA professional, work together as a team in their business, Larson Performance Horses. Larson has three children, Hannah, Cash, and Chloe.
on Amber N Oak. In 2002, Larson took it his riding to the next level by stepping out on his own, moving to a facility in Whitesboro, Texas, that was built for him by his first clients. By 2008, his winnings had topped $290,000 and for the previous two years he had been the youngest professional to be in the NRHA Top 20 standings. At the NRBC, he claimed the USEF Gold medal on Lena Gallo, as well as the $25,000 Open Title. Additionally, Larson recently became 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Reining - Squad 2011. At the NRHA Futurity in 2003, McCutcheon and Booger Peppy Lena were fifth in the Non Pro Futurity Finals. She also placed 19th with Blow Pop in the same division. Also in 2003, McCutcheon and Blow Pop were Reserve Champions in the Non Pro Finals at the SWRHA Futurity. In 2007, she became the first woman to reach NRHA Million Dollar Rider status. At the high Roller Reining Classic in August of 2009, McCutcheon and I Spin For Chics were fifth in the CRI2*. McCutcheon followed that result up in 2010 with a thirdplace finish on Mister Nicadual in the CRI* at the Cowboy Capital Classic. In 2011 and 2012, she paired with Don Julio Whiz to take fifth in the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup CRI3* both years. In 2013, the pair was ninth in the CRI3* at the Kentcuky Reining Cup. 2014 has been a big year for McCutcheon. She and Yellow Photo Credit: Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman Photo
Mandy McCutcheon
Born: October 20, 1976 Residence: Aubrey, Texas Yellow Jersey – 2004 Quarter Horse stallion owned by Tim and Colleen McQuay Mandy McCutcheon is part of American reining royalty. Her father is world-famous reiner Tim McQuay, who not only is an NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider, but also a Team Gold and Individual Silver medalist from the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games and Team Gold medalist at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Mandy is also married to Tom McCutcheon, an NRHA Million Dollar Rider and Team and Individual Gold medalist from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. She has earned many accolades herself, being one of the industry’s leading riders as the only woman and Non Pro to surpass $2 Million in earnings, and was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in
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Jersey were second in the CRI3* at the Kentucky Reining Cup, which served as the first round of the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial. The pair took second-place honors once again in the second round to be named the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Reserve Champions and earn a spot on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad. She is the first woman and Non Pro to ever represent the U.S. at a Reining World Championship. With her husband, Tom, she has a son, Cade, and a daughter, Carlee.
Reining - Squad Futurity in October, winning the Open there as well. In 2002, he was a member of the Gold medal-winning U.S. team at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. He also brought home the Individual Silver medal riding Conquistador Whiz. In 2008, McCutcheon and Ruf Hearted Jac were members of the Silver medal-winning U.S. team at the FEI World Reining Championships in Manerbio, Italy. They were also eighth individually. McCutcheon won the Individual and Team competitions on Darlins Not Painted at the 2009 Kentucky Cup CRIO4*. He began 2010 with a second-place finish in the CRI2* at the Cowboy Capital Classic with Chexy Dun It. At the 2010 Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Championships in July, McCutcheon rode Gunners Special Nite to the Reserve Champion title. In the fall, McCutcheon achieved the highlight of his career when he won Team and Individual Gold medals at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Photo Credit: Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman Photo
Tom McCutcheon Born: March 27, 1967 Residence: Aubrey, Texas
Dun Git A Nicadual – 2008 Quarter Horse gelding owned by Jennifer Marley Listed as one of the reining world’s leading riders, Tom McCutcheon has NRHA lifetime earnings of more than $1 million, making him part of the elite group of million dollar riders. McCutcheon is a multiple NRHA Futurity finalist and has twice earned the NRHA Derby Open Reserve Championship, as well as being a four-time Gordyville Breeders Cup Open Reserve Champion. McCutcheon is a past National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Champion and is a twotime USEF Open Reining Champion. He has also been a finalist at every major NRHA event. In 2001, McCutcheon rode Smartest Chic Olena to win the NRBC Open title. At the 2001 NRHA Open Futurity, he rode Sailin Ruf to a third-place finish out of 445 entries. The pair also won the Southwest Reining Horse Association’s
with Gunners Special Nite. McCutcheon success continued into the new year where he finished seventh and 10th in the NRBC. On Chic Olena Starbuck, he placed fourth in the 2011 Kentucky Reining Cup CRI5*, before finishing the year with a second at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic. In 2012, McCutcheon and Chic Olena Starbuck finished second at the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup CRI3*. At the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic the pair was sixth in the Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Championship and the USEF Open Qualifier. At the 2013 Kentucky Reining Cup, McCutcheon and Pretty Peppy Chic were third in the CRI3*. The pair also helped Team Cosequin to a third-place finish in the win the Team CRI3* Open FEI Reining competition. McCutcheon began 2014 with a second-place finish in the NRBC Reining Open class aboard Dun Git A Nicadual. The pair then traveled to the Kentucky Reining Cup where they finished seventh in the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial, earning a spot on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad. McCutcheon is deeply rooted in the reining industry. He is married to fellow world-class reiner Mandy McCutcheon and his father-in-law is world-renowned reining competitor, 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Reining - Squad owner, and trainer Tim McQuay. McCutcheon is the owner of Tom McCutcheon Consulting Services, a worldwide consulting firm for the reining industry. In addition, he is co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NRBC, the largest added money reining event and stallion incentive program in history. He is also a member of the NRHA Professionals Committee.
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Reining - Staff medal-winning U.S. teams at the 2002 Nations Cup, the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, followed by the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Petska owns and operates Petska Performance Horses and Whitesboro Equine Therapy out of Whiteboro, Texas, with his wife, Lisa, and their children, Chelsea and Tanner.
Photo Credit: Shannon Brinkman
Jeff Petska
Born: July 30, 1965 Residence: Whitesboro, Texas Chef d’Equipe Jeff Petska grew up in Nebraska, where he became involved in the equine industry on the college rodeo team at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. He then started with performance horses at the Pitzer Ranch in Nebraska. His career continued under the employment of Carol Rose from 1990 to 1996. Today, Jeff Petska is known for his many accomplishments in reining, including being an NRHA Open Futurity finalist, an AQHA World Champion, and an AQHA Reserve World Champion. Petska currently serves as an NRHA judge, an AQHA judge, a board member of the NRHA, as well as chair and vice-chair of NRHA Professionals. Petska has been involved with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) since 2002, when he became the Chef d’Equipe for the Gold 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Reining - Staff
Photo Credit: USEF Archive
Leah Oliveto
Born: April 15, 1988 Residence: Lexington, Ky. Team Leader Leah Oliveto, a native of Tarpon Springs, Fla., spent her high school years competing in the Hunter/Jumper ring and working as a student at Fire Ant Farm under the direction of legendary trainer John Mann. Oliveto graduated with a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Florida, where she also rode on the Hunt Seat Team. Oliveto’s start at the USEF began as an intern in the Marketing Department in the summers of 2008 and 2009. She began full-time work for the Federation in 2010, assisting with the organization of the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North and working as a press officer for U.S. teams at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Oliveto made the move to the Sport Programs department in 2011, and works dually for the disciplines of Reining and Dressage.
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Endurance
The U.S. Endurance Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games The horse-and-athlete combinations have named to the U.S. Endurance Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and are in alphabetical order. The alternates are in ranked order. The endurance competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will take place August 28, 2014 at the Bay of Mont Saint Michel in Sartilly, France.
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Endurance - Team won the CEI3* to end their 2011 season. She had another solid year in 2012. At the USA Team Trial Race, Olson and SA Belshazzar finished ninth out of 45 in the CEI3* race. She then rode Noslo’s Harley Rally to the win in the CEI1* at the Zone Team Endurance Challenge. In 2013, Olson won the FITS CEI3* race riding Hot Desert Knight. Later that year, the pair placed second in the CEI3* Zone Team Endurance Challenge. With Noslo’s Ready to Run, Olson won the Sand Hills Stampede race. Olson finished her season with a fourth-place finish in the NJTRA Mustang Memorial CEI1* with Noslo’s Selket Da Yankee. Olson has been on top form in 2014, kicking the year off with a win at FITS on Noslo’s Sand Dancer. She is married to fellow endurance competitor Jeremy Olson.
Photo Credit: Becky Pearman Photography
Ellen Olson
Born: July 19, 1982 Residence: La Motte, Iowa Hot Desert Knight – 2000 Arabian gelding owned by Farzad Faryadi Ellen Olson is an accomplished endurance rider. She rode Berjo Smokey, a very competitive horse known for his excellent recoveries, in the 2009 competition season. They were second in the CEI1* at the Goethe Challenge. In October, they placed second in the Kentucky Cup Endurance Ride held in Lexington, Ky. In February 2010, Olson represented the U.S. at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Al Wathba President’s Cup in the United Arab Emirates. In the UAE, she and SA Belshazzar finished 41st out of 106 competitors. In 2011, Olson had an amazing showing at the Fort Howe Endurance Ride in June, finishing second in the CEI2* on SA Belshazzar and winning the CEI1* on Guesswhozgotitall. At the Goethe Benefit Challenge, Olson and SA Belshazzar 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Endurance - Team she rode Aleclipse to a Pan American Endurance Championship Individual Silver medal. In the past 10 years, Reynolds has earned numerous CEI3* wins along with many top finishes. She was a member of the U.S. team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, as well as a team rider for the 2012 World Endurance Championship in the UK, helping the U.S. to a fourth-place team finish. In 2013, Reynolds started the year with a win in the Broxton Bridge Fundraiser CEI1* on RR Kings Gold. At the Shine and Shine Only CEI1*, she and RR Surprise Moment were second. The pair then came in third in the Almanor Hustle CEI2*. Reynolds ended the year with a win aboard Chanses in the New Mexico Desert Classic CEI3*. 2014 has been a good year for Reynolds, beginning with a win in the Broxton Bridge Fundraiser CEI3* aboard Chanses. She continued her winning ways at the Biltmore Challenge, taking top honors in the CEI2* with Stirgess and Photo Credit: Becky Pearman Photography
Heather Reynolds Born: August 4, 1977 Residence: Dunnellon, Fla.
Chanses – 2005 Arabian gelding owned by the rider Heather Reynolds began riding at age 11 as a junior, getting her start in endurance. Since then, she has earned over 18,000 endurance miles to her name, including numerous top wins. Based in Dunnellon, Fla., she operates Reynolds Racing, a training, coaching, and consulting business, out of her home alongside her husband and fellow endurance competitor, Jeremy Reynolds. In 1999, Reynolds was awarded the Haggin Cup, having the best conditioned horse after the completion of the Tevis Cup, an award she would receive again after winning the prestigious race in 2003 aboard Master Motion. Competing in the 2001 Pan American Endurance Championship, Reynolds won the Gold medal as well as the Best Conditioned Award aboard Crystals Charm. Two years later,
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in the CEI1* with RR Opening Act. She added a second Tevis Cup win to her resume this summer aboard French Open.
Endurance - Team Desert Gold CEI3*. Reynolds started 2011 off with a victory, winning the CEI1* at the Shine and Shine Only race. He then piloted Stirgess to a third-place finish in the Fort Howes Endurance Ride CEI2*. A Kutt Above would get the call at the next CEI event and the pair would finish second in the CEI3* at the Patriots Day at Lake Almanor. Reynolds got his first CEI victory of the year in September when he won the CEI3* at the North American Endurance Team Challenge aboard A Kutt Above. His last race of the year resulted in a third-place finish in the CEI1* with Chanses at the Goethe Benefit Challenge. In 2012, Reynolds started off with a second-place finish in the CEI2* at the Dupuis Piney Pig ride on A Kutt Above. He went on to finish fourth in the CEI2* and third in the CEI1* race at the FITS event with Riverwatch and Cleopatrah. His first victory of the year would be a big one as he beat 44 other competitors in the CEI3* race at the 2012 Team Trial Race on A Kutt Above. The victory was followed by a secPhoto Credit: Becky Pearman Photography
Jeremy Reynolds Born: January 16, 1980 Residence: Dunnellon, Fla.
RR Gold Dust Rising – 2006 Arabian gelding owned by the rider Jeremy Reynolds is an active endurance competitor based in Dunnellon, Fla. Not only does Reynolds compete in endurance rides around the globe, but he is also a farrier. In 2010, Reynolds won the Git-R-Done I CEI2* with Makazin. With Sir Smith, Reynolds represented the U.S. at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Al Wathba President’s Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The pair placed a credible 37th out of 106 competitors. Upon returning from the UAE, the pair won the CEI3* at the Git-R-Done II race. Next, Reynolds rode TA Tiran to victory in the Shine and Shine Only CEI2*. His winning streak wouldn’t end there, as he rode A Kutt Above
ond-place finish at the CEI3* ride at the Biltmore Challenge on Stirgess. Reynolds was named to the U.S. Squad for the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championships with his mount, A Kutt Above, and helped the team to a fourth-place finish. Reynolds had strong performances throughout the 2013 season. At Almanor Hustle, he and RR Gold Dust Rising were second in the CEI2*. He then had a second-place finish in the CEI1* at the New Mexico Desert Classic with RR Sansational Shai. Reynolds scored a win in the North American Endurance Team Challenge CEI3* with RR Gold Dust Rising. He began 2014 with wins at the Broxton Bridge Fundraisers in the CEI2* and CEI1* with Kowboy KS and RR Most Likely, respectively. At the FITS event, he came in second with Stirgess in the CEI1*. Reynolds then collected a secondplace finishes in the CEI3* with RR An Honest Crook and the CEI2* with RR Most Likely at the Biltmore Challenge. Reynolds is married to fellow endurance competitor, Heather Reynolds. Together they run Reynolds Racing, a training, coaching, and consulting business out of their home.
to the win in the CEI3* at the Patriots Day at Lake Almanor race. Reynolds ended the year with first- and fifth-place finishes on Sir Smith and Dreamerchant, respectively, in the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Endurance - Team finish in fourth place. She also won Team and Individual Gold at the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North riding My Wild Irish Gold. Russell rode Destiny Gold to the CEIYJ2* win at Dupuis Piney Pig to kick off the 2012 season. She continued her winning ways at FITS, where she won the CEIYJ2* with AF Big Bucks and the CEIYJ1* with My Wild Irish Gold. Russell ended her year with another win in the CEIYJ1* with Just Gold. In 2014, Russell and My Wild Irish Gold placed third in the CEI3* at the North American Endurance Team Challenge. She then rode Genuwine Gold to top honors in the CEIYJ1* at Berwick. Outside of endurance, Russell is also an avid barrel racer and participates in pole bending. The college sophomore also competes in western pleasure classes to complete Photo Credit: Becky Pearman Photography
Kelsey Russell Born: October 23, 1995 Residence: Williston, Fla.
My Wild Irish Gold – 2003 Anglo Arab mare owned by Valerie Kanavy Kelsey Russell got her start in the sport of endurance in 2008 when she looked after U.S. team veteran Valerie Kanavy’s horses over the summer in exchange for being able to turn out two of her own horses on Kanavy’s property. The following winter, Russell began training with Kanavy, making her competitive debut soon after. The young rider has quickly made a name for herself in endurance, earning many top finishes for the United States. Russell has secured top finishes at the FEI Junior and Young Rider Endurance World Championships in 2011 and 2013, earning sixth and fifth, respectively, which is only fitting as these are the best American finishes at an Endurance World Championship since Kanavy claimed a Gold medal in 1998. Russell’s finish in 2011 helped the U.S. team
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her well-rounded equestrian resume. Russell, who considers her favorite part of endurance to be the connection between horse and rider, looks to stay involved in the equestrian world and help horses by becoming a veterinarian.
Endurance - Team their first 100-mile ride at Old Dominion in 1989. Sleeper has raised many of the horses she has competed, and are relatives of Chaucer. Sleeper was on the U.S. East Gold medal team in the 2001 Pan American Endurance Championship, where she was seventh individually. She has competed twice in the prestigious endurance ride in Dubai in 2001 on Syrocco Troilus and in 2002 on Syrocco Blair. In 2006, Sleeper was 22nd at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, and the second fastest U.S. rider. She finished first individually in the 2007 Zone Team Endurance Challenge (ZTEC), and her horse Syrocco Troilus also won the Best Conditioned Award and helped earn the Team Gold. She was a member of the 2008 U.S. team in Malaysia on Syrocco Reveille, and was a member of the Gold medal-winning U.S. East team at the 2009 North American Endurance Challenge in Lexington, Ky., where she was sixth Photo Credit: Merri Melde
Dr. Margaret Sleeper
Born: December 16, 1967 Residence: Frenchtown, N.J. Syrocco Reveille – 2000 Arabian mare owned by the rider Dr. Margaret “Meg” Sleeper began riding as a child, when she received riding lessons for Christmas. Her father bought her a horse the following year, an Appaloosa named Tecumseh. After that she never looked back, completing her first competitive trail ride, a 30-mile race with “Tummy” in 1980. A few years later, Sleeper and her dad were at an auction to raise money for Blair Academy, where one of the alumni had donated a two-year-old Half-Arabian. After winning the bidding, they left with the untrained young horse who they named Chaucer. Sleeper and Chaucer would learn together and began taking part in endurance rides in 1986. They did
individually on Syrocco Harmony. Also in 2009, Sleeper was first in the FEI Vermont 100-mile ride and won Best Conditioned on Syrocco Gabriel. In 2010, Sleeper won the FITS CEI3* 160 KM race with Syrocco Reveille, who also won the Best Conditioned Award. She then traveled to New Lowell, Ontario, and came in fourth in the CEI3* 160 KM race with Syrocco Cadence. Sleeper finished up the year by being part of the U.S. team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In her first race of 2011, Sleeper finished second at the Dupuis Piney Pig CEI3* 160 KM race with Syrocco Reveille. She then won the FITS CEI1* 80 KM race with Syrocco Cadence, and finished fifth in the CEI3* 160 KM race with Syrocco Harmony. Sleeper and Syrocco Cadence finished second at the Biltmore Challenge in the CEI3* 160 KM race. She then scored a win at the Fort Howes Endurance Ride in the CEI1* 80 KM with Syrocco Harmony, as well as finishing third in the CEI3* 160 KM race on Syrocco Reveille. At that year’s North American Endurance Team Challenge, Sleeper finished second out of 43 against some of the best riders on the continent in the CEI3* 160 KM race. To round off the year, she finished first in the NJTRA Mustang Memorial CEI1* 80 KM race with Syrocco Harmony and second in the Goethe Benefit Challenge CEI2* 120 KM race with Syrocco Reveille. 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Endurance - Team In 2012, Sleeper and Syrocco Reveille finished 16th in the CEI3* 160 KM USA Team Trial Race. She then had a sixthplace finish with Syrocco Rabia in the CEI1* 80KM race at Foxcatcher. Sleeper then represented the U.S. in the FEI World Endurance Championship, finishing 11th individually aboard Syrocco Reveille and aiding the team to a fourthplace finish. Sleeper kicked off 2013 with a second-place finish at FITS in the CEI3* 160 KM race with Syrocco Harmony. She then participated in the 2013 CEI2* test event for the 2014 Alltech/FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, gaining valuable experience over the Mont Saint Michel terrain. Later that year, she added another CEI3* win to her resume aboard Syrocco Cadence in Berwick, Canada. In 2014, Sleeper is in good form, having finished third in the FITS CEI3* 160 KM race with Syrocco Cadence. Outside of endurance, Sleeper is a veterinary cardiologist working at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Because of her busy schedule, Sleeper’s husband, Dave Augustine, does the majority of the conditioning and preparation of the horses for their competitions.
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Endurance - Alternate Also in 2009, Olson and Belshazzar completed the Kentucky Cup, a test event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, in monsoon-like conditions. Olson placed in two CEI1* events in 2011 with two different horses. In June, he rode Hadban USA to a fifth-place finish at the Fort Howes Endurance Ride CEI1*. Olson’s second placing came in November when he piloted Noslo’s Banjara to an eighth-place finish at the NJTRA Mustang Memorial CEI1*. In 2012, Olson and Bound for Honor rode to a secondplace finish in the FITS CEI1*. He then finished second Noslo’s Echo Extreme in the Goethe Benefit Challenge CEI1*. Olson had several top placings in 2013. At the Broxton Bridge Fundraiser, he and Noslo’s Echo Extreme were third in the CEI2*. The pair was then won the FITS CEI2*. With Noslo’s Mesozoic, Olson came in third in the Zone Team Endurance Challenge CEI1*. The pair then brought home Photo Credit: Becky Pearman Photography
Jeremy Olson
Born: April 15, 1975 Residence: La Motte, Iowa
top honors in the Sand Hills Stampede CEI2*. In 2014, Olson had a second-place finish in the Broxton Bridge Fundraiser CEI3* riding Wallace Hill Shade. He then scored a win in the CEI1* at the Zone Team Endurance Challenge with Noslo’s RRenaldo.
Wallace Hill Shade - 2002 Half-Arabian gelding owned by Jeremy Olson and Amy WallaceWhelan For Jeremy Olson, the sport of endurance was a family affair growing up. Olson’s father began taking part in endurance rides in 1978. Four years later, a seven-year-old Jeremy took part in his first 50-mile ride. Olson’s mother and sister also were active competitors. Olson has found recent success with SA Belshazzar. This horse represented the U.S. at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Al Wathba President’s Cup in the United Arab Emirates with Ellen Olson in the irons. With Olson, Belshazzar was third in the CEI1* at the Goethe Challenge in December of 2008. They also won the CEI2* at the Florida Horse Park Gallop on the Greenway in January 2009. 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Endurance - Alternate over the reins of her World Championship mount to her daughter, Danielle. Kanavy won the 1998 World Endurance Championship in the United Arab Emirates with a thrilling gallop to the finish. At the 2000 Bayer/United States Equestrian Team (USET) Festival of Champions, Kanavy rode to a third-place finish in the Sooner Trailer/USET 50-Mile Endurance Championship, finishing behind one of her own horses, Bearcat O’Reilly, ridden by winner Kristen Snook. She came back the next year to win the USET Championship, and repeated that title at the 75-mile distance in 2002. Valerie has had success in recent years with a number of different horses. With Gold Raven, Kanavy won the FEI ride at the Goethe Challenge in December of 2008. With King Ali Gold, Valerie had two wins in the 2008 season. They won at the New Years in New Mexico competition and the CEI3* Open at Fort Howes. At the 2009 Biltmore Challenge Kanavy and her own Photo Credit: Becky Pearman Photography
Valerie Kanavy Born: July 9, 1946 Residence: Fort Valley, Va.
Just Gold – 2005 Arabian gelding owned by Valerie Kanavy The eldest of six children, 1994 and 1998 World Endurance Champion Valerie Kanavy was the only family member with an interest in horses. Although her parents supported her desire to ride, they couldn’t afford to buy her a horse, so she did it herself. At age 11, she got her first horse for $150. Kanavy began competitive endurance riding in 1972 after reading an article about the Tevis Cup in California. Since then, she’s ridden to the top echelon of her field. Kanavy’s 1994 World Championship horse, Pieraz (nicknamed “Cash”), was purchased through a classified ad for $500. At the 1994 FEI World Equestrian Games in The Netherlands, Kanavy and “Cash” earned the Individual Gold and Best Conditioned Award. In 1996, Kanavy opted not to defend her World Championship title. She instead handed
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Spectacular Gold won the AERC Open 100. Kanavy and LM Parys won the CEI2* 120 KM race at Coast Creek New Lowell CEI event in Canada. Kanavy began 2010 with a fourth-place finish on King Ali Gold at FITS in the CEI3* 160 KM race. A month later, she placed third in the CEI2* 120 KM ride at the Biltmore Challenge with Destiny Gold. Her first win of the season came in July when she would finish first in the CEI1* 80 KM race in New Lowell, Canada, on Tuff Enough FA. Kanavy then traveled overseas for the late summer and fall, earning a fifth-place finish in the CEI3* 160 KM race at the CEI3* Florac in France. Kanavy started 2011 on a winning note, winning the Dupuis Piney Pig CEI3* on her own Gold Raven. She then finished in second place in the FITS CEI3* 160 KM race with Destiny Gold. Kanavy picked up her second victory on Reach For the Gold at the Biltmore Challenge CEI2* 120 KM race, which would start a string of top placings for the rider and her horses. Next up, she crossed the border and finished second in the CEI2* 120KM race in Millbrook, Ontario, before traveling to the Big Sky State to win the CEI3* 160 KM race at Fort Howes. The 2011 Endurance Pan American Games in Chile was Kanavy’s final ride of the year and she went out on a high note, finishing third individually and earning the second-place team honors with the U.S. team.
Endurance - Alternate Kanavy repeated her victory at Dupuis Piney Pig to kick off 2012, winning the CEI3* 160 KM race on LM Parys. In July, Kanavy and her mount, Reach For the Gold, were members of the U.S. Endurance Team for the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championships, helping the U.S. team to a fourth-place finish. 2014 started strong for Kavavy with a fourth-place finish in the North American Endurance Team Challenge aboard Just Gold. At the Biltmore Challenge, she rode AM Mysterious Mopsa to second place in the CEI2* 120 KM race. Kanavy then picked up a win in the CEI2* 120 KM race in Berwick, Ontario with Just Gold. In addition to being a top competitor, Kanavy gives back to her sport through organizing and managing competitive rides. She has attracted riders from the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and Europe, as well as the best from the U.S. and Canada. Kanavy and her husband, Larry, also own and operate Trev-Dan Building Supply Co., in Chester Springs, Pa. They have three children.
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Endurance - Staff Silver and Senior Team Silver medals. In 2011, Ross became the Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Endurance Team. Not only has he played an integral role in endurance riding, but Ross has also played an important part in the major equestrian competitions. In 1984, Ross was the Sports Manager (COO) of the Equestrian Events at the Los Angeles Olympics, and, 12 years later, he was the Chief Adviser for the Equestrian Events at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. For the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Ross was the Director/Manager of the endurance event.
Photo Credit: Geoff Bugbee
Emmett Ross
Born: August 13, 1948 Residence: Cat Spring, Texas Chef d’Equipe Emmett Ross has contributed to the sport of endurance as a rider, trainer, and coach. Ross has logged over 5,600 kilometers and had three top-ten Tevis Cup finishes and was a Haggin Cup recipient. Ross has attended over 150 FEI events as a rider, trainer, or coach. He was the second of three trainers in the world to have had winning endurance horses in nine or more different countries. From 1995-2006, Ross was an endurance trainer and coach in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, and from 2000-2001 he was the top trainer in the UAE based on points and wins, producing numerous top riders and horses. In 2005, Ross was the Managing Director of the GCC Endurance Championship in Qatar and also served as the Chef d’Equipe for Qatar in the championship, leading the riders to Young Rider Individual Gold and Team
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Endurance - Staff
Photo Credit: USEF Archive
Vonita Bowers Born: February 25, 1954 Residence: Lexington, Ky. Team Leader Vonita Bowers began working at the United States Equestrian Federation in December of 2006 as the Director of Endurance; she now also serves as Director of Reining. For 24 years, she had a career in the medical services sector in administration and business management. Prior to joining the USEF staff, Bowers had served for 16 years in leadership roles for the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) as a member of the Board of Directors, as Vice President, and as President for two years. Bowers has accumulated just under 10,000 career endurance miles and has been in the AERC National Top Ten and the AERC Central Region Champion. Additionally, she is an FEI licensed official, a past member of the Endurance Technical Committee, and has been an organizer of endurance events. 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Eventing
The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Squad for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games The following horse-and-athlete combinations have been named to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Squad for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and are in alphabetical order. Combinations will be named as Team members or Individuals no later than the First Horse Inspection on August 24, 2014. The Traveling Reserves are in ranked order. The eventing competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will take place August 28-31, 2014, with the dressage and cross country phases at Le Pin National Stud in Le-Pin-au-Haras, France and the show jumping phase at d’Ornano Stadium in Caen, France. 50 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
Eventing - Squad 10th and then fourth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event with Pajama Game, the Morgan-cross that many felt wouldn’t compete on the international level. Also in 1999, he and Pajama Game were part of the U.S. team in the Pan American Games. In 2003, Davidson placed third in the USET Three-Star Spring Championship and fourth overall in the Foxhall Cup CCI3*. At the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2005, Davidson was 11th and 13th with Let It Rain and Private Treaty, respectively, two horses known for their sensitive natures. At that year’s Jersey Fresh, Hyperlite provided Davidson with his very first CCI3* victory. Since importing Ballynoe Castle RM (or Reggie as he is called, after fellow super jock Reggie Miller) as a young horse, Davidson has always maintained that Reggie is all class. In 2008, Davidson’s faith in the horse was rewarded with an immaculate performance at the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh where they were second. In 2009, Davidson had his most successful season to
Photo Credit: Mike McNally
date, winning horse trials at every level and collecting a
Buck Davidson
number of strong finishes at three-day events. With My
Born: February 11, 1976 Residence: Ocala, Fla.
Ballynoe Castle RM – 2000 Irish Thoroughbred gelding owned by Carl and Cassandra Segal The Davidson name is legendary in the eventing world, and Buck has focused on following in the footsteps of his father Bruce, an Olympic medalist and the only person to ever win back-to-back World Championships. Though much of his younger years were devoted primarily to baseball, a sports-related injury changed his focus. Always a rider, Davidson began his career as a fox hunter and timber jockey. Davidson had an impressive history as a young rider. He won the Markham Trophy as the highest placing Young Rider in a USET Championship three times, and was the 1996 Young Rider of the Year. In his CCI4* debut in 1998, he placed sixth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event on Trans Am A Flirt. The two following years he placed
Boy Bobby, Davidson won the CIC3* divisions at both The Fork and Wits End. In the spring of 2009, the pair was third at the CCI4* in Kentucky, making Davidson the top-placed American, winning him his second Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship. Not to be outdone by his stablemate, Ballynoe Castle RM also cruised to a number of good results in 2009. Reggie collected ribbons up and down the east coast at horse trials in the spring. He capped off the first half of the season with a top 15 finish in his first CCI4* at Rolex. He followed up this good result with a pair of second place CIC3* finishes at Maui Jim and Wits End. In September, Davidson and Reggie traveled to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4* where they were once again in the top 15. 2010 once again proved to be a successful year for Davidson. With My Boy Bobby, Davidson replicated his win from 2009 in the CIC3* at The Fork Horse Trials and placed second in the CIC3*-W at The Event at Rebecca Farm. Ballynoe Castle RM collected wins at the Advanced level at Rocking Horse Winter II Horse Trials and Millbrook Horse Trials. Davidson completed the 2010 season by representing the U.S. at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Eventing - Squad Ballynoe Castle RM. Davidson competed across the county as well as over-
Corp Fair Hill International CCI3*. With D.A. Adirmo, Davidson came in second in the Jersey Fresh CCI3*. Additionally,
seas in 2011. He and Ballynoe Castle RM completed the
he and Petite Flower topped the CCI3* field at the Galway
Badminton CCI4* and were the highest-placed American
Downs International in the fall.
pair in 21st place. In the summer, the pair won the CIC3* at
Davidson enjoyed a successful start to his 2014 season
Richland Park and Advanced divisions at both the Millbrook
earning second- and fourth-place finishes in CIC3* with
Horse Trials and the Morven Park Fall Horse Trials. They
Ballynoe Castle RM at the Cloud Eleven~Gavilan North LLC
also finished second in the CIC3* at The Event at Rebecca
Carolina International and The Fork, respectively. At the
Farm and at the Nutrena/USEA American Eventing Cham-
Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover
pionships in the Advanced division.
the pair earned a third place. Additionally Davidson and Park
With Absolute Liberty, Davidson found another top performer. In the spring of 2010, he and Absolute Liberty were second in the CIC2* at Richland Park and fourth in the CCI2* at the Ocala Horse Properties International ThreeDay Event. In 2011, Davidson moved the mare up to the Advanced and three-star level, collecting a fourth-place finish at the CCI3* at Bromont and a third-place finish at Millbrook Horse Trials. After finishing sixth at the Mandatory Outing at Richland Park, Davidson and Absolute Liberty were chosen to represent the U.S. at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. The pair won Individual Bronze and was part of the Gold medal-winning team. Davidson suffered a broken collarbone in February of 2012, but that did not slow him down. He proved he was back at 100% at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event in early May. With Ballynoe Castle RM, Davidson finished fourth in the CCI3* division. He followed up his Jersey Fresh showing in Bromont by placing seventh in the CCI3* with The Apprentice. With Ballynoe Castle RM, Davidson scored two Advanced wins before finishing third in the Richland Park CIC3*. At Plantation Field International Horse Trials, the pair earned another CIC3* third-place finish. Davidson finished the year with a fifth-place finish in the Galway Downs International CCI3* with The Apprentice. 2013 saw Davidson earn top finishes on multiple horses. With Ballynoe Castle RM he earned two third-place finishes in CIC3* competition at Red Hills and The Fork before finishing in fourth place at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. With Mar de Amor, Davidson finished ninth in the Kentucky’s CCI4*. He also piloted Park Trader around the Irish Sport Horse’s first CCI4* in April at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and the pair went on to complete their 2013 campaign earning a second-place finish at The Dutta
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Trader finished 12th at the event. Davidson then won the Jersey Fresh CCI3* with Copper Beach.
Eventing - Squad the world stage. Dutton has been runner-up at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event six times, was second, fourth and fifth in 2005, and also was second at Burghley CCI4* with The Foreman in 2005. The Foreman was back with a vengeance in 2007 winning the Fair Hill International CCI3* for the second time (he also won in 2004). With Connaught, he represented Australia at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games as an individual after placing fourth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event earlier that year. The pair returned to Kentucky in 2007, where they were second and the highest-placed American combination. They went one better in 2008, and Dutton finally broke his streak, winning his first CCI4* with a fantastic clear show jumping round. Connaught went on the represent the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. Dutton and Truluck represented the U.S. in 2007 at the Pan American Games and were Individual Silver medalists and members of the Gold medal winning team. He began Photo Credit: : Mike McNally
Phillip Dutton
Born: September 13, 1963 Residence: West Grove, Pa. Trading Aces – 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Trading Aces LLC Phillip Dutton represented Australia in three Olympics and four World Championships before acquiring U.S. citizenship in 2006. A native of Australia, Dutton has been based in Pennsylvania since 1991 and lives there with his wife, Evie, her daughter, Lee Lee, and their twin girls, Mary and Olivia. Dutton won Team Gold medals at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games with True Blue Girdwood and House Doctor, respectively, and was fifth individually in the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games with House Doctor. He also represented Australia at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. Dutton brought True Blue Girdwood with him from Australia as a relatively inexperienced horse. Dutton credits “Jug” with teaching him how to ride and getting him onto
riding Woodburn in 2007, and the pair has been very successful during its partnership. They were third in the Fair Hill International CCI3*, the horse’s first attempt at the level, in October and went on to finish 10th at Woodburn’s first CCI4* at Kentucky in 2008. 2009 was another extremely successful year for Dutton. Woodburn completed the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event for a second time, placing 12th. Additionally, the horse had a pair of third-place CIC3* finishes over the summer at Wits End and Richland Park, as well as claiming second place the USEA American Eventing Championships. Connaught finished seventh at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in April and Truluck finished the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4* in fourth place in September. Dutton wound up the 2009 season with a fourth-place finish on Kheops Du Quesnay at the Fair Hill CCI3*. At the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone, Dutton claimed his third USEF CCI4* National Championship on Woodburn. The pair finished the event in second place. Dutton also was sixth on The Foreman. Also in 2010, Dutton won the CIC3* at Jersey Fresh and was third in the CIC3*-W at The Event at Rebecca Farm with Truluck. Dutton completed his 2010 season by representing the U.S. in Lexington, Ky., at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Eventing - Squad Games with Woodburn. Two weeks later, he piloted the relatively inexperienced Fernhill Eagle to a second-place finish in the CCI3* at Fair Hill International. 2011 was another year filled with success for Dutton and his string of horses. At Red Hills International, he and Mighty Nice won the CIC2*. With Fernhill Eagle, Dutton attained another Rolex Kentucky CCI4* completion. At Bromont, he placed third in both the CCI3* and the CCI2* with William Penn and Mighty Nice, respectively. Dutton picked up another win with Ben in the Advanced division at The Event at Rebecca Farm. At Richland Park, he finished third with Ben and fourth with William Penn in the CIC3*. Dutton then traveled to England and completed the Blenheim CCI3* aboard Mighty Nice. He finished up his year at Fair Hill International, placing fifth in the CCI3* with William Penn, as well as completing the CCI3* and CCI2* aboard Ben and Young Man, respectively. Dutton started 2012 with a very successful showing at Red Hills International. He won the CIC3* with Mystery Whisper and finished third with Ben. Dutton also finished second in the CIC2* with Gran Banks and second at the Advanced level with Fernhill Eagle. He continued his success in 2012 by finishing 10th and 12th with Mighty Nice and Fernhill Eagle, respectively, at the Rolex Kentucky ThreeDay Event presented by Bridgestone CCI4*. Dutton admits that although he has never braided a horse, he can put shoes on one. Having grown up on a farm in Nygan, New South Wales, he was responsible for all aspects of his horses’ care. His introduction to horses came through Pony Club and riding on the farm as a child. Dutton and Evie run a very busy training and teaching business at True Prospect Farm, and Dutton’s list of students is a “Who’s Who” of the stars of the sport. He considers his biggest accomplishment being able to make a living doing what he enjoys. When he’s not competing or traveling, Dutton spends time with his family and enjoys all sports.
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Eventing - Squad her time abroad that Halpin found Manoir de Carneville. Upon returning to the U.S. in the fall of 2008, the pair came in third in the CCI2* at Fair Hill International. 2009 was a banner year for this combination. They were fifth in the CIC3* at Wits End and second in the CIC3* at Plantation Field. Halpin and “Tate” ended the season with a fifth-place finish in their first CCI3* at Fair Hill International. In 2010, Halpin and Tate won the CIC2* at Richland Park in the summer. They completed the season by completing the Boekelo CCI3* in The Netherlands. The pair started out 2011 by winning the Advanced division at Southern Pines Horse Trials II and finishing fourth in the CIC3* at The Fork. In April, Halpin and Manoir de Carneville were third in their first CCI4* at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone and were crowned USEF National CCI4* Eventing Champions. The pair then traveled to England for the Burghley CCI4* and finished 15th out of a huge field of talented horses and Photo Credit: Mike McNally
Sinead Halpin
Born: October 10, 1981 Residence: Oldwick, N.J. Manoir de Carneville – 2000 Selle Francais gelding owned by Manoir de Carneville Syndicate Growing up in Irmo, S.C., Sinead Halpin spent much of her childhood riding ponies. She enjoyed a very successful Young Rider career, which included completing her first CCI3* at 19 on Killian. Halpin spent many years working for
riders. Halpin started 2012 with a bang at the Jersey Fresh International on Manoir de Carneville, finishing the CIC3* in second place. The pair closed out the year with a strong second-place finish and at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in September. In 2013, Halpin and Manoir de Carneville were the victors of the CIC3* at Plantation Field and an Advanced division at Richland Park. The pair kicked off their 2014 campaign with a CIC3* win at The Fork before earning a fourth-place finish at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover. Sinead runs a successful training and coaching business out of Annandale, N.J.
U.S. Olympians Karen and David O’Connor at their High Acre Farm in The Plains, Va. In 2005, Halpin won the USEF National Two-Star Championship at Radnor with Tommy. She has also been named to the USEF Developing Riders List numerous times. During the spring of 2007, Halpin moved to England, where she trained with U.S. team Chef d’Equipe Mark Phillips. While in the UK, she also spent 10 months working for British Olympian William Fox-Pitt. During her stay in England, Halpin gained invaluable experience. It was during 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Eventing - Squad ning the 2008 Bromont CCI2* in Canada. Neville Bardos was also ninth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day CCI4* in 2008. Martin has quickly made his mark on American eventing. In 2008, he was ranked number two on the U.S. Eventing Association Rider of the Year Leaderboard, an impressive feat in only his second year living and competing in the U.S. 2009 was a very successful year with Martin’s first CCI3* win at Fair Hill in the fall with Neville Bardos. Martin was also sixth with Remington XXV in the CCI3* at Fair Hill. Other successes in 2009 include winning and placing fourth in the CIC3* at Jersey Fresh with Belmont and Rock on Rose, respectively. In the CCI3* at Jersey, Martin and Remington XXV were once again in the Top 10. At the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone, Martin and Neville Bardos finished in fourth place. Martin also had two other horses in the Top 12: Rock on Rose (11th) and Remington XXV (12th). In the fall of 2010, Martin and Neville Bardos were part of
Photo Credit: StockimageServices.com
the U.S. team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games,
Boyd Martin
and were the highest-placing Americans in 10th place. A
Born: August 30, 1979 Residence: Cochranville, Pa. Shamwari 4 – 2002 Hanoverian gelding owned by Shamwari 4 Syndicate LLC Australian native Boyd Martin relocated to the U.S. in 2007 to pursue his dreams of international eventing competition. In 2009, Martin rode under the American flag for the first time. Martin was extremely successful in Australia, where he won the 2003 Adelaide CCI4* riding True Blue Toozac. He spent his first two years in the U.S. working as assistant trainer to Olympic Gold medalist Phillip Dutton before striking out on his own. Martin has several horses competing at the upper levels of the sport, and always has numerous young horses coming up the ranks. Martin’s competitive successes since moving to the U.S. include placing second with Ying Yang Yo and fourth with Neville Bardos overall at the 2007 Fair Hill CCI3*, and win-
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few weeks later, Martin and Remington traveled to the Pau CCI4*, where they finished in seventh place at the horse’s second attempt at the CCI4* level. Martin started off 2011 with his usual success by finishing second in the CIC3* at Red Hills on Neville Bardos and ninth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone with Remington XXV. However, things changed dramatically for him in May. On May 31, 2011, a fire ravaged Martin’s barn, taking the lives of six horses and injuring four others. The horse that had the most severe injuries was Neville Bardos. Things looked grim for the little horse, but somehow he managed to improve and keep recovering. Martin then lost his father, Ross, in a bicycling accident and Martin’s wife, Silva, lost her father to illness. Through this difficult time, Martin focused on getting Neville Bardos recovered and fit in time for the Land Rover Burghley CCI4*. The pair seemed to do the impossible by traveling to England and finishing seventh in the grueling CCI4* competition. For his amazing comeback, Neville Bardos was named the 2011 USEF Horse of the Year. Martin continued to produce stellar performances in the fall of 2011. Martin and Remington XXV finished second at
Eventing - Squad the CIC3* at Plantation Field. At Boekelo, Martin rode Otis Barbotiere to a 14th-place finish in the horse’s first CCI3*. Ying Yang Yo made quite a statement by winning the Fair Hill CCI3* with Martin shortly after returning to competing at the upper levels to complete the 2011 season. Martin kept up his form in 2012, and with Otis Barbotiere he finished fifth in the CIC3* at The Fork. He had an excellent performance at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone CCI4*. Martin finished third with Otis Barbotiere in the horse’s first four-star and was named the 2012 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Reserve Champion. Martin also finished eighth with Remington XXV. In June, Martin traveled to England, where he placed sixth in the Barbury Castle CIC3* on Remington XXV. Later that summer, Martin and Otis Barbotiere represented the United States at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Upon returning to the U.S., Martin won the CIC2* with Cracker Jack and was eighth in the CIC3* with Trading Aces at Richland Park. He and Trading Aces had another eighthplace finish in the Plantation Field CIC3*. Martin finished out 2012 claiming fifth and sixth place in the Fair Hill CCI2* with Master Frisky and Cracker Jack, respectively. In 2013, Martin won top honors at the Richland Park CIC3* with Trading Aces. The pair was then sixth in the Plantation Field CIC3*. Martin also had strong performances in the CIC2* at Plantation Field, winning the division with Pancho Villa and coming in fourth with Steady Eddie. Martin ended the year by representing the U.S. in the Boekelo CCIO3*. Martin began 2014 in a big way, winning the Red Hills CIC3* with Trading Aces. After suffering a broken leg in March, Martin returned to competition in May. With a new mount, Shamwari 4, Martin showed he was back in top form by finishing third in the Luhmuhlen CCI4*. Martin is married to German Grand Prix dressage rider Silva Martin, and they run a coaching and training business out of their base in Cochranville, Pa.
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Eventing - Squad at the Blenheim CCI3* and placed second. She and Over The Limit placed fourth (behind Olympic medalists Blyth Tait and David and Karen O’Connor) in the 2000 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* presented by Bayer. In September 2001, she won the Blenheim CCI3* on Winsome Adante. Earlier that year, she rode him to the Reserve Champion title in the USET Three-Star Spring Championship at the MBNA Foxhall Cup. In 2007, the pair was third at the very prestigious Badminton CCI4* in 2007. Severson uncovered a new star in the giant Tipperary Liadhnan. “Paddy” was a different type of horse for Severson, but she found success with him very quickly. The pair was second in the CIC3* at The Fork and fifth at the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh in 2007, but missed a fall three-day after Severson broke her collarbone. Paddy continued to jump around big tracks with ease in 2008, picking up good finishes in the Advanced division at Southern Pines and in the CIC3*-W at The Fork. They capped off their 2008 spring Photo Credit: Mike McNally
Kim Severson
Born: August 22, 1973 Residence: Charlottesville, Va. Fernhill Fearless – 2000 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the rider Kim Severson has won the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* in Lexington, Ky., an impressive three times: in 2002, 2004, and 2005, all with her trusty mount, Winsome Adante. She earned her first medal in a World Championship in September 2002, when she and “Dan” helped the U.S. earn the Team Gold medal at the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. In 2004, they not only were members of the U.S. Olympic Bronze medal-winning team, but also earned an Individual Silver medal. Prior to her partnership with Dan, Severson began her climb to success with Over The Limit. In 1999, the duo was in the winner’s circle in Lexington, having won the USET Three-Star Spring Championship. That same year, Severson was awarded a USET grant to compete Over The Limit
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season by finishing fifth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* in April. In 2010, Kim and Paddy completed the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* and were fourth in the CCI3* at Bromont. At the Land Rover USEA American Eventing Championships, the pair was fourth in the starstudded field of the Advanced Championship. In 2011, she and Tipperary Liadhnan completed another Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone. Severson returned to the international scene in 2013 with Fernhill Fearless. After only a few months of beginning their partnership, Severson and Fernhill Fearless were fifth in The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI3*. In 2014, the pair has continued to improve and develop their partnership. At The Fork, Severson and Fernhill Fearless ended up fifth in the CIC3*. They then took on the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, where they came in 11th.
Eventing - Squad him to a fifth-place finish in his first CCI2* at the Jersey Fresh. The pair then took on the CIC3* level, successfully completing the Plantation Field CIC3*. Symansky and Donner represented the U.S. for the first time at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, where the pair finished on its dressage score to contribute to the Team Gold medal. The following year, they had a 13th-place finish in The Fork CIC3* and an 11th-place finish in the Jersey Fresh CCI3*. In 2013, Symansky had a stellar year, kicking things off with a win in The Fork CIC3* with Donner. The pair then finished on its dressage score to earn fifth place in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover CCI4*. As the second highest-placed American, Symansky claimed the 2013 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Eventing Reserve Championship title. Donner received the Zeppa International Trophy for Best Turned Out and the Best Conditioned Horse Award. Symansky and Donner’s success continued in the summer
Photo Credit: Mike McNally
and fall. The pair came in 10th at the Richland Park CIC3*
Lynn Symansky
and had a successful outing in the CIC3* at the Plantation
Born: March 19, 1983 Residence: Middleburg, Va.
Donner – 2003 Thoroughbred gelding owned by the rider
Field. Symansky and Donner received a Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grant from the USET Foundation to travel to France for the Pau CCI4*, where they finished in 13th place. In 2014, Symansky and Donner have maintained their top form. In the Bromont CIC3*, she and Donner took home top honors.
Lynn Symansky began riding at the age of three and competing at the age of five. She grew up as a member of the United States Pony Club, earning her A-rating, and by the age of 18, she was competing at the Advanced level. In 2003, she was named to the Short List for the Pan American Games. That fall, she and No It Tissant were 10th in the Fair Hill International CCI3*. Symansky competed in her first CCI4* at the 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event with No It Tissant and finished in 19th place and received the Best Conditioned Horse Award. The pair had a repeat performance, coming in 19th once again in the 2009 edition of the CCI4*. Symansky found another talented star in the off-thetrack Thoroughbred gelding, Donner. In 2011, she rode 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Eventing - Traveling Reserves finish at the Fair Hill International CCI3*. Little kicked off 2012 by winning the Advanced division at the Rocking Horse Winter II Horse Trials riding RF Demeter. At Red Hills International, Little won the CIC2* with RF Smoke on the Water and finished second in the CIC3* with RF Rovano Rex. Little’s success continued at The Fork. She had two third-place finishes at the competition, in the CIC3* with RF Demeter and in the CIC2* with RF Smoke on the Water. Little competed in her first CCI4* competition at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone, finishing in an impressive ninth-place with RF Demeter. At the Bromont Three-Day Event, she and RF Smoke on the Water finished in fourth place in the CCI2*. Little traveled overseas at the end of the summer and came in eighth at the Malmo CIC3*-W with RF Smoke on the Water. Returning to the U.S., the pair was fifth in the Plantation Field CIC3*. At the Fair Hill International CCI3* Little had a great showing, earning second place with RF Photo Credit: Mike McNally
Marilyn Little
Born: December 1, 1981 Residence: Frederick, Md. RF Demeter – 2002 Oldenburg mare owned by Team Demeter After much success competing at the international Grand Prix level in show jumping, Marilyn Little took up the sport of eventing in the fall of 2010. In 2011, Little went from competing at Preliminary to the Advanced and CCI3* levels. She started the year by winning the Preliminary Rider division aboard Udonna at the Rocking Horse Winter II Horse Trials. The pair then moved up to Intermediate and finished third in the Open Intermediate division at Red Hills International. Little competed at the Advanced level for the first time at Five Points Horse Trials, winning the division on RF Rovano Rex. At Plantation Field Horse Trials, Little won her first international eventing competition, winning the CIC3* with RF Rovano Rex. The pair ended the year with a ninth-place
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Smoke on the Water and fourth place with RF Demeter. She and RF Demeter earned another fourth-place finish at the Jersey Fresh International CIC3*. 2013 began with more top finishes for Little, as she scored a second-place finish with RF Smoke on the Water in the CIC3* and second- and third-place finishes with RF Azarah and RF Black Pearl, respectively, in the CIC2* at Red Hills International. At The Fork, Little rode RF Demeter to fourth place in the CIC3* and RF Black Pearl to second in the CIC2*. Going overseas, Little maintained her top form. At the Saumur CCI3* she and RF Smoke on the Water were eighth. Little partnered with RF Demeter at the Luhmuhlen CCI4*, where they had an impressive seventh-place finish. She found success once again at Blair Castle, ending up fifth in the CIC3* with RF Demeter and third in the CCI2* with RF Tabasco. Little’s next stop was Breda where she was second in the CIC3* with RF Demeter and first in the CIC2* with RF Tabasco. She and RF Demeter teamed up and earned another second-place finish at the Schenefeld CIC3*, then had a strong performance at the Pau CCI4* to close out the year. Little began 2014 in a winning fashion, taking home top honors at the Carolina International CIC3* with RF Demeter. The pair was then second at The Fork CIC3*. At the
Eventing - Traveling Reserves Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, Little maintained her fine form, finishing fifth and sixth with RF Smoke on the Water and RF Demeter, respectively.
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Eventing - Traveling Reserves O’Connor. It was during this year that Burnett started riding Richard Thompson’s St. Barths. In October 2009, this pair won the USEF National CCI2* Championship at Fair Hill International. The following spring, Burnett and St. Barths were second in the CIC2* at Red Hills International before winning the Advanced division at The Fork in April. They finished 2010 by once again winning at Fair Hill International, this time moving up a level to claim victory in the USEF National CCI3* Championship. In April 2011, Burnett and St. Barths contested their first CCI4* at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone. The pair galloped to a double-clear cross country round, finishing the event in eighth place. With Harbour Pilot, Burnett has collected numerous top placings. In 2011, they were third in the CIC2* at Red Hills International. In June, Burnett rode Harbour Pilot to Photo Credit: Mike McNally
Hannah Sue Burnett
Born: July 9, 1986 Residence: The Plains, Va. Harbour Pilot – 2003 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Jacqueline Mars Hannah Sue Burnett and her list of accomplishments would be enough to last some a lifetime. Burnett grew up riding alongside her mother, Sue, in Shelbyville, Ky., and at a young age developed an aptitude for the sport of eventing. Burnett first tasted success with Keep the Faith. In the fall of 2006, the pair contested its first CCI3* at Fair Hill, finishing the cross country with no jumping faults. The following spring, they contested their first CCI4* at the 2007 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. In 2008, following the retirement of Keep the Faith, Burnett began working full-time for Karen and David
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second-place honors at the Bromont International CCI2*. The pair finished fourth at the Pan American Games Mandatory Outing at Richland Park and were named to eventing team to represent the U.S. at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. At the games, Burnett and Harbour Pilot were part of the Gold medalwinning team and received Individual Silver. In 2012, Harbour Pilot and Burnett finished ninth in the Bromont CIC3* in Canada, and then had a third-place finish at the American Eventing Championships in the Advanced division. The pair ended the year on a high note, winning the Advanced division at the Morven Park Fall Horse Trials, followed by taking home top honors in the Fair Hill International CCI3*, claiming the USEF Three-Star National Championship title. Burnett and Harbour Pilot kicked off 2013 with a seventh-place finish at the Red Hills International CIC3*. They then finished tenth in the competitive field in The Fork CIC3*. At the Jersey Fresh International, Burnett and Harbour Pilot improved to finish in third in the CIC3*. For their performances, the pair was chosen to represent the U.S. at the Saumur CCI3*. Burnett and Harbour Pilot also earned a third-place finish in an Advanced division at the Plantation Field International Horse Trials in the fall.
Eventing - Traveling Reserves In 2014, Burnett and Harbour Pilot earned a ninthplace finish in the Cloud Eleven~Gavlian North LLC Carolina International CIC3*. They then stepped up to the CCI4* level for the first time finishing the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 15th place.
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Eventing - Traveling Reserves up to the Advanced level and finished sixth at the Morven Park Fall Horse Trials. In 2012, O’Donoghue and Pirate continued to improve and climb the levels. At the Jersey Fresh International, the pair finished an impressive seventh in their first CIC3*. They then finished 15th in the Richland Park CIC3*, before improving to 14th at the Plantation Field International CIC3*. O’Donoghue brought her year to a close by competing in her first CCI3* at the Dansko Fair Hill International, where she and Pirate finished 12th. O’Donoghue had one of the biggest years in her career in 2013. She and Pirate completed The Fork CIC3* before heading to the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover to tackle their first CCI4*. O’Donoghue rose to the occasion with Pirate, earning a 12th-place finish and being the highest-placed, first-time rider. She continued her rise to stardom, receiving a Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grant from the USET Foundation to compete Photo Credit: Mike McNally
Meghan O’Donoghue
Born: April 12, 1989 Residence: Carbondale, Ill. Pirate – 2002 Thoroughbred gelding owned by the rider Meghan O’Donoghue grew up on her parents’ Southern Illinois boarding and training farm and as a member of the United States Pony Club, having a fierce competitive drive from a young age. From 2009-2012, O’Donoghue worked full-time at Surefire Farm learning the inner workings of a top eventing training facility. She was first included on the Developing Riders List in 2011 and has quickly risen to the top of the sport. O’Donoghue found Pirate, an off-the-track Thoroughbred, and the pair rose through the levels together. In 2011, she and Pirate completed their first CCI2* at Jersey Fresh International, finishing in 13th place. In the fall, they moved
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overseas for the first time in the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International CCI3*. O’Donoghue and Pirate held their own against a field of experienced competitors to collect an 11th-place finish and be the highest-placed, first-time rider once again. In 2014, O’Donoghue has continued to demonstrate that she is a solid competitor in international competitions. With Pirate, she finished 17th at The Fork CIC3* and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover CCI4*.
Eventing - Staff as the USEF president from 2004-2012. O’Connor also served as the International Technical Advisor to the Canadian Eventing Team from 2006-2012, coaching Canada to Individual Gold and Team Silver medals at the 2011 Pan American Games, as well as Team Silver medals at the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. He took over as the U.S. International Technial Advisor in 2013. With his wife, legendary eventer Karen O’Connor, he runs a premier eventing training facility, teaching some of the best horses and riders in the country.
Photo Credit: USEF Archive
David O’Connor Born: January 18, 1962 Residence: The Plains, Va. Chef d’Equipe David O’Connor is one of the most famous names in U.S. eventing. Throughout his career, he had top placings both nationally and internationally, representing the U.S. on numerous occasions. O’Connor won a Team Silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, a Team Bronze medal at the 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games, and Team Gold and Individual Silver medals at the 1999 Pan American Games, all with his legendary mount Giltedge. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games, O’Connor won Individual Gold with Custom Made, as well as a Team Bronze medal with Giltedge. At the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games, he and Giltedge won a Team Gold medal. O’Connor retired from international competition in 2004. O’Connor made the switch from being an international competitor to being a leader of equestrian sport. He served 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Eventing - Staff
Photo Credit: USEF Archive
Joanie Morris
Born: October 24, 1979 Residence: Lexington, Ky. Team Leader Joanie Morris, a native of Concord, Mass., has numerous years of experience with international equestrian competition. She grew up competing in eventing and working for top riders in the sport. Morris began working at the USEF in 2007 as the High Performance Communications Director and remained in this position for five years. She also was the Event Director of the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North from 2009-2012. Morris started her current position as Managing Director of Eventing in 2013.
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Jumping
The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games The following horse-and-athlete combinations have named to the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and are in alphabetical order. The jumping competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will take place September 2-7, 2014 at d’Ornano Stadium in Caen, France.
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Jumping - Team FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North. Davis started off the 2011 season by collecting top placings at every turn on the Desert Circuit. In January, Davis teamed up with Hannah to place fifth in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix. Nemo 119 and Davis kicked off the month of March by winning the $50,000 HITS World Cup Qualifier. Davis returned to the Grand Prix ring the following day with Hannah to win the $25,000 Smart Pak Grand Prix presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Teaming up once again with Nemo 119 the following weekend, she beat a star-studded field in the largest class of the Desert Circuit, the $200,000 Lambourgini Grand Prix. This was also Davis’ fourth consecutive Grand Prix win. Davis started off 2012 in a big way by finishing 10th with Nemo 119 at the USEF National Show Jumping Championship and being named to the Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team. In 2013, Davis made her Rolex/FEI World Cup Final debut
Photo Credit: Shannon Brinkman Photo
and gained valuable experience. She then represented the
Lucy Davis
U.S. team at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by
Born: October 22, 1992 Residence: Los Angeles, Calif. Barron- 2003 Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Old Oak Farm At just 21-years-old, Lucy Davis is already proving to be a force in the Grand Prix ranks, often besting people twice her age. Davis got an early start, riding as soon as she could walk and taking lessons by the age of five. It was a natural progression for Lucy to take up riding early on, as her grandfather works in the horse racing industry. In the summer of 2009, Davis and True Love traveled to Lexington, Ky., for the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, where they earned the Individual Silver medal in the Young Rider Championships for Zone 10. In 2010, Davis returned to Kentucky riding Nemo 119 on the Gold-medal winning team, and placed fifth individually at the Adequan/
Longines in Rotterdam riding Barron, helping the team to a second-place finish. For her double-clear jumping efforts, Davis received the Furusiyya Leading Rider of the Day Award. That week, she finished eighth in the Longines Grand Prix of Port Rotterdam. Later in 2013, Davis had the biggest win of her career when she claimed top honors in the Grand Prix of Lausanne with Barron, also becoming the youngest rider to win a Global Champions Tour Grand Prix at the age of 20. She also added being a representative of the U.S. at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona to her resume, where she again rode Barron helping the U.S. team claim top honors in the Consolation Round. In 2014, Davis kicked things off with a third-place finish in the $370,000 CSI5*-W FEI Word Cup presented by Rolex with Barron during week five of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The pair finished third again in the $100,000 Engel & Volkers CSI4* Grand Prix during week 11. Davis then represented the U.S. at the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Lyon, France, where she finished in 17th place. In June, Davis and Barron jumped in the lead-off position 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Jumping - Team in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by Longines at CSIO5* Rotterdam. The following the month, the pair produced a double-clear effort in the Mercedes-Benz FEI Nations Cup at CSIO5* Aachen, leading the United States to a second-place finish. They closed out their first trip to CHIO Aachen by finishing sixth in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen. In addition to riding at the highest-level, Davis is also a student at Stanford University.
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Jumping - Team with Uceko, claiming victory among a star-studded field in the $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational. In the summer of 2011, Farrington and Uceko collected wins both stateside and abroad. On his first tour of Europe with the U.S. Team, Farrington and Uceko won the prestigious Longines King George V Gold Cup at the CSIO5* Hickstead. Farrington and Uceko were also part of the Gold Medal-winning U.S. team at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Partnering again with Uceko, Farrington finished sixth in the 2012 USEF Selection Trials for the U.S. Show Jumping Team with clear rounds in the first and fourth Trials. In July, Farrington traveled to Europe with his string, taking third in a CSI5* class at Chantilly on Venus. He then finished second on Venus in a CSI5* class and fourth in a CSI3* class on Voyeur in Beervelde, Belgium. Venus and Voyeur again brought home the ribbons in Spain at the CSI4* Coruna when Venus finished second and Voyeur finished fourth in two CSI4* Photo Credit: FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst/Pool Pic
Kent Farrington Born: December 28, 1980 Residence: Wellington, Fla.
Voyeur – 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Amalaya Investments Kent Farrington’s success has spanned more than a decade. In 2001, he was named the winner of the Maxine Beard Award, given to an individual based on their potential to represent the United States in international competition. In 2007, Farrington and Up Chiqui won the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championships, capping off a year where they were nearly invincible. With Uceko, Farrington had found a star. In February of 2010, this pair was fifth in the first USEF Selection Trial for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Uceko had a strong start to the 2011 season, collecting second-place honors in the $100,000 Deluca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix. In April, Farrington collected one of the largest victories of his career
classes. In the late summer, Farrington returned to the U.S. in top form, winning the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix & FEI World Cup Qualifier with Voyeur and finishing second in the $50,000 Spy Coast Farm/YHS Grand Prix Qualifier-CSI 4* with Venus at the Hampton Classic. He next traveled to Spruce Meadows for the CSIO5* ‘Masters’ Tournament and won the $100,000 Encana Cup with Uceko. His success continued as he finished second in the $200,000 American Gold Cup with Voyeur. He kicked things off in 2013 in a big way by scoring top honors at the $100,000 Trump Invitational CSI2* Grand Prix with Dynamo. He was a member of the Gold-medal winning U.S. team in the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup CSIO4* presented by G&C Farm with Uceko and also took top honors in the $150,000 CSIO4* Grand Prix presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty with Blue Angel. At the CSI5*-W ‘National’ Tournament at Spruce Meadows Farrington had a fantastic week, winning the $400,000 CN Reliability Grand Prix World Cup Qualifier with Uceko and the $33,000 ATB Financial Cup with Blue Angel. A month later at Spruce Meadows, he claimed another top prize in the $35,000 G&C Farm Cup with Zafira. Traveling to Europe for the summer, Farrington scored two huge wins. At the La Coruña CSI4* in Spain, he and Voyeur won the Telefonica Grand Prix. At the CSIO5* Dub2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Jumping - Team lin, Farrington and Blue Angel won the JLT Dublin Stakes
Pessoa/AHSA National Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Final
one day after helping the U.S. team to a third-place finish in
in 1998 and the Washington International Equitation Medal
the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by Longines.
in 1999. He then climbed another notch when his team
Returning to North America, his winning streak contin-
won the Gold medal at the North American Young Riders’
ued. At the Hampton Classic, he won the $250,000 FTI
Championship in 1999. Farrington’s first major win was on
Consulting Grand Prix and World Cup Qualifier CSI4* with
Madison in 2004 at the $75,000 EMO Grand Prix in Sau-
Zafira. A week later at the CSIO5* ‘Masters’ Tournament
gerties, N.Y.
at Spruce Meadows, Farrington and Blue Angel earned top honors in the $125,000 Suncor Energy Cup - Winning Round and the $50,000 Akita Drilling Cup. With Willow, he scored another win at in the $50,000 Hermès Classic CSI4* at the American Gold Cup. Farrington and Blue Angel added yet another win to their resume, earning top honors in the New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix CSI2*. During the fall of 2013, Farrington and his string of horses didn’t slow down. At the Washington International Horse Show, he and Blue Angel came out on top in the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix CSI3*-W presented by Events DC, as well as the $33,000 Open Jumper class, earning Farrington the Leading Open Jumper Rider Award. Farrington began 2014 on a high note, winning the $125,000 CSI2* Trump Invitational presented by Rolex with Blue Angel. In February, Farrington and Blue Angel won the $84,000 Salamander Hotels & Resorts CSI3* and the $34,000 CSI3* Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Round VI. On week nine of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, he won the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Round IX with Voyeur. In April, Farrington traveled to Lyon, France for the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final, where he won the second leg of competition with Voyeur. Farrington had continued success in Europe, winning the MAG-JLY Small Grand Prix at CSIO5* Rome with Blue Angel in May before winning the Prix SBM Le Casino with Willow at CSI5* Monaco. Farrington then headed back to North America to compete at Spruce Meadows, where he won the prestigious ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup with Voyeur and the Pan American Cup presented by Rolex with Uceko. Farrington and Voyeur head into the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games after winning the Prize of Europe at CSIO5* Aachen before placing second in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen. As a talented young equitation rider, Farrington won the
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2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
Jumping - Team in 2006 and 2007, the first rider ever to do so, and then clinched the title again in 2013. In 2004, she breezed through the Olympic Selection Trials, finishing in first place on Authentic. With her contribution of double-clear rounds in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, she helped the U.S. team win the Gold medal. Her success on U.S. soil earned her the American Grand Prix Association (AGA) Rider of the Year title that year. Madden added Team and Individual Silver medals to her resume at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, riding Authentic. One of her greatest accomplishments in 2007 involved her win at the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen in July. Madden again rode Authentic for this prestigious win over 40 of the world’s best riders. To add to this honor she was named leading rider in Aachen. Madden enjoyed another incredible year in 2008 with Authentic. She won her second consecutive Team Gold Photo Credit: : Jon Stroud/FEI
Beezie Madden Born: November 20, 1963 Residence: Cazenovia, N.Y.
Cortes ‘C’- 2002 Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Abigail Wexner Simon - 1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Abigail Wexner Originally from Milwaukee, Wis., Beezie Madden has been riding since the age of three and made her Grand Prix debut in 1985. Four years of continued success followed, including participation on winning U.S. Nations Cup teams, leading to being named the 1989 United States Olympic Committee’s Female Equestrian of the Year. Madden was the first woman and the first U.S. rider to ever reach the top three in the Gandini Show Jumping World Ranking List (achieved in 2004), and she was the first woman to pass the $1 million mark in earnings for jumping. Additionally, she has won the USEF Equestrian of the Year title three times, including back-to-back honors
medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, where they won an unbelievable jump-off to also pick up Individual Bronze. In 2010, Madden teamed up with Coral Reef Via Volo to win the $75,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix. In the summer they traveled to Europe, where they won the Grand Prix of Aachen and placed third in the Grand Prix of Dublin. At the Spruce Meadows CSIO5* ‘Masters’ Tournament, the pair won the $50,000 Cana Cup and was part of the winning U.S. Team in the Nations Cup in September. That same month they picked up wins at the American Gold Cup. 2011 saw Madden win at home and on foreign soil. In March, she and Coral Reef Via Volo were part of the winning U.S. team in the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). In April, Madden traveled to Leipzig, Germany, to com¬pete in the 2011 Rolex/FEI World Cup Finals, where she tied for fourth-place honors overall. Madden kept up her strong form throughout the summer of 2011. With Cortes ‘C’, Madden claimed her first victory on the Global Champions Tour (GCT) winning the VDL Groep sponsored GCT Grand Prix of Valkenswaard. Later that month, Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo won the Longines International Grand Prix of Rotterdam. The year ended on a high note for Madden. After collect2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Jumping - Team ing third place in the $75,000 Grand Prix de Penn National
In May of 2014, Madden was forced to sit on the sidelines
with Cortes ‘C’, she traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico, to
for six weeks due to a broken collarbone returning to com-
represent the U.S. at the 2011 Pan American Games. Riding
petition in July. She quickly returned to her winning ways,
Coral Reef Via Volo, she won Team Gold and Individual
helping the U.S. to victory in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup
Silver medals.
of Great Britain presented by Longines at CSIO5* Hickstead
In August of 2012, Madden represented the United States
with a double clear effort on Cortes ‘C’. She then became
at the 2012 London Olympic Games with Coral Reef Via
the first women to ever win the Longines King George V
Volo.
Gold Cup at CSIO5* with Cortes ‘C’. The following week she
In 2013, Madden cemented her status among the sport’s elite as she won at nearly every turn. She began her recordsetting campaign at the FTI WEF winning the $125,000 FEI W-Cup Grand Prix CSI3* presented by Spy Coast Farm before aiding in the winning U.S. effort in the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm. Also during CSIO Wellington, she produced a second-place effort in the feature Grand Prix, the $150,000 CSIO4* Grand Prix presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty. In April, Madden traveled to Gothenburg, Sweden, to claim the one title that had eluded her in her illustrious career, the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final crown. She kicked off the week with a win in the Speed Leg before jumping three more consistent rounds with Simon to force a jump-off with the reigning Olympic champion, where a clear effort saw her claim victory. She continued to dominate in Europe, producing an impressive two double-clears in Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup competitions and a Longines GCT Grand Prix of Chantilly victory over the summer with Cortes ‘C’. Madden then helped the U.S. to a win in the Consolation Round of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona. As a testament to her 2013 success, Madden spent three months as the second-ranked rider in the world on the Longines/ FEI Rankings. For her banner year, Madden was named the USEF Equestrian of the Year for the third time. 2014 is playing out to be another successful year for Madden, as she scored a big win in the $200,000 American Invitational presented by G&C Farm with Coral Reef Via Volo. She then traveled to Lyon, France, where she earned a seventh-place finish at the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final with Simon. She partnered with Coral Reef Via Volo to earn a second-place finish in Nations Cup competition for the U.S. at CSIO4* Coapexpan before winning the Gran Premio Veracruz.
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2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
was a member of the winning U.S. Nations Cup effort at CSIO5* Dublin with Simon. Married since 1998, Madden and her husband, horseman John Madden, reside in Cazenovia, N.Y.
Jumping - Team courageously rode in Aachen not long after, and his double clear aboard Sapphire propelled the U.S. to the Nations Cup victory there. Ward and Sapphire were members of the Silver medalwinning team at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. The road to the 2008 Olympic Games and Ward and Sapphire’s second consecutive Team Gold medal quickly gained momentum, including being a valuable part of the winning U.S. team at the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by CN at the Winter Equestrian Festival in March. Just one month later, the pair won the $200,000 Budweiser Invitational in Tampa in a deluge of rain and wind. In 2009, the two-time Olympic Gold medalists won at nearly every turn. Ward and Sapphire prepared diligently for the 2009 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final all winter and were rewarded with a second-place finish for their efforts. The pair took home top honors in the $1 Million CN International Photo Credit: Tomas Holcbecher/FEI
McLain Ward
Born: October 17, 1975 Residence: Brewster, N.Y. Rothchild – 2001 Warmblood gelding owned by Sagamore Farms McLain Ward has an international Grand Prix prowess that only continues to increase with age. In 1990, Ward became the youngest rider ever to win both the USET Medal Finals and the USET Talent Derby at age 14. He would go on to turn that into a legacy, winning the pair of competitions from 1990-1992. Ward has already competed in more than 10 Rolex/FEI World Cup Finals and numerous FEI Nations Cup competitions. In 2004, Ward made his Olympic debut with Sapphire in Athens, where the pair helped the U.S. to a Team Gold medal. Ward was a key part of the Gold medal-winning 2005 Samsung Super League team despite a fall on course at Hickstead, England, resulting in a broken collar bone. He
at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament - one of the most prestigious classes in the world. Also in 2009, they won the Devon Grand Prix for the second time. For a second straight year, Ward and Sapphire won the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix at the end of March of 2010. This came just two weeks after they secured a second-place finish in the $200,000 WEF FEI World Cup Qualifier. During the summer of 2010, Ward proved to be a force in Europe, jumping to many successful finishes all over the continent. With Sapphire, Ward won the coveted classes of the La Baule Grand Prix and the Rome Grand Prix. Ward finished off his summer in Europe by winning the prestigious Dublin Grand Prix with Antares F. Ward and Sapphire continued to accumulate strong results in the fall of 2010. In September, they won the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifier for a second consecutive year at the Hampton Classic. The following week, Ward and Sapphire won the inaugural Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, N.Y. In October 2010, Ward and Sapphire were the highestplaced Americans at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky. Ward had another strong start to the 2011 season, jump2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Jumping - Team ing at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI
ended the year on a high note, earning top honors in the
WEF). In March, Ward and Sapphire teamed up for another
$100,000 Hickstead FEI World Cup Grand Prix with Roth-
U.S. win in the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup CSIO4* presented
child.
by G&C Farm. With Antares F, Ward placed second in the $150,000 Spy Coast FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI3*. At the Hampton Classic Horse Show in September, Ward
During the CSIO4* Wellington, he aided the U.S. team to a third-place finish in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm with Rothchild. During the third week
added to his illustrious resume, by tying his own record,
in April, Ward then traveled to Longines FEI World Cup
winning a Grand Prix at the Classic on three consecutive
Jumping Final in Lyon, France earning a ninth-place finish.
days. Ward and Antares F were victorious in the $250,000
The following weekend Ward and Rothchild were the win-
FTI Grand Prix, tying Margie Engle’s record of winning the
ners of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Antwerp
featured Grand Prix at the Classic for three consecutive
Grand Prix. He then earned multiple victories in June and
years. This feat added to Ward’s own record of winning the
July at the Spruce Meadows Tournaments. With Rothchild,
Classic’s featured Grand Prix six times, twice as many as
he was the winner of the CP Grand Prix of the final day of
anyone else.
the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows “Continental” Tournament.
In the fall, Ward and Antares F were part of the Gold
With a double-clear effort in the Furusiyya FEI Nations
medal-winning U.S. team at the 2011 Pan American Games
Cup of Great Britain presented by Longines at CSIO5* Hick-
in Guadalajara, Mexico. The pair finished fourth individually.
stead, Ward and Rothchild helped the U.S. to victory.
In January 2012, Ward suffered a shattered knee-cap that kept him from riding for more than three months. At the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show, Ward made his return to competition a noticeable one by winning the $40,000 Old Salem Grand Prix with Antares F. The following weekend, Ward won the $75,000 Empire State Grand Prix with Zander. On May 14, 2012, Ward announced that Sapphire would retire from competition. However, Ward would continue to make a big splash as he won the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon the same night his longtime partner was officially retired. He then came back to put in a solid round for a second-place finish in the $50,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stakes at the same show with Antares F. In August 2012, Ward made his third Olympic appearance for the U.S. at the 2012 London Olympic Games aboard Antares F. 2013 proved to be another successful year for Ward. At the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, he collected a top-10 finish with Super Trooper de Ness. Ward then traveled back to the U.S. and once again earned top honors in the Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon with Rothchild. In addition, he and Rothchild jumped consistently for the U.S. in Nations Cup competition and helped the U.S. to earn top honors in the Consolation Round of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final at CSIO Barcelona. Ward
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2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
Ward is married to his wife, Lauren, who is an avid competitor in the amateur divisions.
Jumping - Traveling Reserve List for the 2008 Olympic Games with Urbanus after an impressive performance at the 2008 USEF Selection Trials for Show Jumping. He then represented the U.S. in the first three Samsung Super Leagues with the FEI Nations Cup Team in Europe, turning in consistent results. In the spring of 2009, Jayne had success with all of his horses; most notably he guided Urbanus to fourth-place finishes in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI4* and the Budweiser American Invitational. Also in 2009, Jayne and Urbanus were part of the U.S. effort on Tour Three of the Meydan FEI Nations Cup. While in Europe, Jayne and Urbanus were second in the Grand Prix of Dublin. Jayne finished off the 2009 season on a high note winning the $25,000 Spy Coast/Sweet Oak Farm Grand Prix on Sampras. Jayne finished off his strong 2010 campaign by collecting top placings with Athena in the fall. They were winners of the $125,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix in Saugerties. Photo Credit: Parker/Russell-The Book LLC
Charlie Jayne Born: March 11, 1986 Residence: Elgin, Illi.
Chill R Z – 2003 Zangerscheide stallion owned by Alex Jayne and Maura Thatcher Charlie Jayne grew up on his family’s farm outside of Chicago and horses have always been part of his life. Along with his parents, Alex and Linda, and his sisters, Maggie and Haylie, the Jayne family runs the definition of a family business. Jayne won the USET Maxine Beard Award in 2006, which recognizes accomplishment by an up-and-coming show jumper. He also won the USEF Talent Search Finals – East that year. In 2007, the successful junior rider made the transition into the senior ranks and at the age of 20 represented the United States on the Gold medal-winning Team at the CSIO Buenos Aires in November with Urbanus. Jayne was named to the USEF Show Jumping Short
Three weeks later, the pair was a creditable second, behind McLain Ward and Sapphire, in the $1 Million Pfizer Grand Prix. In 2011, Jayne began the season jumping with strong performances on both U.S. coasts. On the HITS circuit at Thermal, Jayne and Athena won the $31,000 HITS Welcome Classic in early February. He also collected an eighth-place finish in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix with Uraya in March. Over the summer, Jayne and Athena competed on the U.S. team at FEI Nations Cup stops in La Baule, Rome, and St. Gallen. Jayne and Chill R Z proved to be a force to be reckoned with at the Devon U.S. Show Jumping Team Observation Events in both classes, starting out with a third-place finish in the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon, then winning the $50,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake two days later. Jayne traveled to London with Chill R Z as the reserve rider for the U.S. team at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Upon returning to the U.S. the pair finished second in the New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix. They had another second-place finish at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in the $40,000 PA Big Jump. Jayne began 2013 on a high note with a third-place finish in the $100,000 Trump Invitational CSI2* Grand Prix 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Jumping - Traveling Reserve on Waldman Z. He then traveled to Gothenburg, Sweden, to compete in his third consecutive Rolex/FEI World Cup Final. He then headed to Spruce Meadows and during the CSI5* ‘North American’ Tournament he and Valeska were fifth in the $33,000 Suncast Jumper Cup. The following week during the CSI5* ‘Pan American’ Tournament, Jayne and Chill R Z finished fourth in the fourth in the $33,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup. The pair returned to the states and won the $75,000 Grand Prix of Indianapolis. Jayne and Chill R Z had a solid performance at the American Gold Cup, finishing in fourth place in the feature Grand Prix. They were then just shy of a win, coming in second in the New Albany Classic International Grand Prix CSI2*. During the fall indoor competition season, Jayne and Chill R Z earned two fifth-place finishes, in the $125,000 Presdient’s Cup at the Washington International Horse Show and in the $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix during the Alltech National Horse Show. Jayne began his 2014 season at the FTI WEF, kicking things off with a fourth-place finish in the $370,000 CSI5*-W FEI World Cup presented by Rolex with Chill R Z. Traveling to the West Coast, Jayne and Chill R Z were ninth in the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix. Jayne and Chill RZ spent much of the late spring and summer competing outside of the United States earning top results. At the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by Scotiabank at CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ the pair were the only combination to jump double clear. In August, they jumped in the lead-off spot for the U.S. at CSIO5* Dublin’s Furusiyya FEI Nations presented by Longines again producing a double clear helping the United States to earn victory. Jayne graduated from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla., in May 2008 with a degree in Business Management. Despite all of the awards he has picked up over the years, he considers the fact that he was able to ride full-time and graduate in five years to be his greatest accomplishment.
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2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
Jumping - Staff international official, he is the only American to have served as the FEI Technical Delegate for four FEI World Cup Finals. As a television commentator, he worked for many years as the color analyst for ESPN and CBS, as well as two stints for NBC at the Barcelona and Athens Olympic Games.
Photo Credit: Š 2008 Dr. C. Mike Tomlinson www.Tomlinson.com
Robert Ridland Born: November 7, 1950 Residence: Irvine, Calif. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland brings several decades of international experience to the sport, including two appearances in the Olympic Games during his career as a member of the United States Equestrian Team. Over the years he was victorious on four continents, including at the American Invitational, the Grand Prix of New York in Madison Square Garden, and the Grand Prix of Switzerland. In addition to his riding career, Ridland has been extensively involved in the governance of the sport, including several terms as a board member of the USEF and the USET. His analytical approach to the sport is aided by virtue of his vast experience as an international course designer. Ridland twice won the Course Designer of the Year Award while building the courses for the U.S. Olympic Trials as well as numerous international competitions. As an 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Jumping - Staff Chesson resides in Gladstone, N.J., and still rides and drives when she can find the time. She finds herself incredibly fortunate to work with such an experienced and dynamic team.
Photo Credit: USEF Archives
Lizzy Chesson
Born: April 3, 1977 Residence: Gladstone, N.J. Team Leader Lizzy Chesson has been deeply rooted in international equestrian sports for many years. As a groom for her mother, she was part of two World Championship Driving teams. At the age of 22, Chesson was selected to drive a pair of horses in the World Pair Championship in Hungary. She is a graduate of Columbia University where she studied German and Spanish and earned a degree in Art History. Chesson began working for the USEF in 2006. Her first position was in the USEF Show Jumping department as an assistant to Managing Director, Sally Ike. Chesson has been a member of the USEF High Performance Driving Committee and the Chairman of the USEF High Performance Eligible Active Pair Driver Committee. In December 2007, Chesson was promoted to USEF Director of Show Jumping High Performance Activities.
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2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
Vaulting
The U.S. Vaulting Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games The following horse-and-athlete combinations have been named to the U.S. Vaulting Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and are in alphabetical order. The vaulting competition for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will take place September 2-5, 2014 at the ZĂŠnith in Caen, France.
82 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
Vaulting - Individual Female teammates. In 2011 at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship, Garrett finished third in the Women’s Gold division. Later that year, she finished in second place at the Vaulting in Vegas IV competition. Garrett had a great start to 2012, beginning with a third-place finish in the Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic + Selection Trials Women’s Gold division. She traveled to Canada for the CVI Chilliwack and finished fifth in the CVI3* Individual Female division. At the CVI Kentucky and North American Young Riders Vaulting Challenge, she improved to second in the CVI3* Individual Female division. A few weeks later Garrett finished second yet again at the USEF/ AVA National Vaulting Championship in the Women’s Gold Championship. Garrett had another solid year in 2013. She kicked things off with a second-place finish in the Women’s Gold division at the Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic, and traveled Photo Credit: Shannon Brinkman
Mary Garrett
Born: January 25, 1990 Residence: Mountain View, Calif. Palatine – 1998 Westphalian gelding owned by Sydney Frankel Mary Garrett began vaulting with Valley View Vaulters
overseas to compete in the prestigious CVIO3* Aachen and finished in a respectable 14th-place. Garrett returned to the U.S. and finished in fifth place at the Pacific Cup in the CVI3* Individual Female division. She closed out the year with a fourth-place finish in the Women’s Gold Championship at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship. Garret has maintained her strong form into 2014. She began the year with back-to-back second-place finishes at Vault into Spring and the Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic. Garrett then received third-place honors at the Pacific Cup in the CVI3* Individual Female division. She was third once again at Garrod’s Spring Classic. Garrett claimed her first win of the year at the CVI Chilliwack in Canada in the CVI3*
in 2002, and joined FACE in 2008 as a member of FACE:
Individual Female division. She then added two second-
“The Wall,” coach Devon Maitozo’s second team. With “The
place finishes to her record at the Woodside Vaulters
Wall,” Garrett had the opportunity to train and compete in
Spring Fest and USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship.
Germany for the summer of 2009, where she developed a taste for international team vaulting. Garrett has competed individually for several years. At the 2004 USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship, she won the Copper division. She finished in fourth place at the 2009 Kentucky Vaulting Cup in the Gold Women’s CVI2* aboard Palatine. At the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Garrett won a Gold medal alongside her FACE 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Vaulting - Individual Female Copper (2005), Bronze (2006), and Silver (2007). Also in 2007, she was the AVA/USEF National Champion at the Silver level. She was ranked among the top 10 U.S. female vaulters the in 2008 and 2009. 2010 was a big year for Ioannou. She began her season by competing in her first individual international competition at the CVI Ermelo, finishing in eighth place. At the AVA Region II Championships, Ioannou took home top honors in the Women’s Gold Championship. She then collected a second-place finish at the Face-Off Vaulting Challenge, before ending the year with a third-place finish in the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship. In 2011, Ioannou experienced more international vaulting competitions as an individual, earning respectable finishes at the CVI2* Massenhoven in Belgium and the CVIO3* Aachen in Germany. She finished fifth in the CVI2* Individual Female division at the CVI Saratoga. Ioannou had a solid year in 2012. At the Woodside Vaulters Photo Credit: Primo Ponies Photography
Elizabeth Ioannou
Born: February 22, 1996 Residence: Saratoga, Calif. Jarl – 1998 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Lasse Kristensen and Emma Seely At just 18-years-old Elizabeth Ioannou competes both individually and as part of the Mt. Eden A Team. Ioannou began vaulting at age seven, gaining many accolades in the short time since. As a nine-year-old, Ioannou was the flyer on Mt. Eden’s National Champion A Team. At age 10, she was a member of the National Champion F.A.M.E. team that won the Silver medal at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. As a member of the Mt. Eden team, Ioannou was also on the 2009 National Champion A Team. Ioannou has also enjoyed a great deal of success vaulting individually. She was the AVA National High Point Champion at
84 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
Spring Fest, she finished third in the Women’s Gold division. She finished second in the CVI3* Individual Female division at the 2012 CVI Chilliwack in Canada. Ioannou was then named as a substitute for the 2012 U.S. Vaulting Team for the FEI World Vaulting Championship. 2013 was a stellar year for Ioannou, starting things off with a second-place finish at Vault into Spring. She then scored three Women’s Gold division wins in a row at Great Falls Vaulters and Topaz Vaulters Spring Fest, Garrod’s Spring Classic, and Woodside Vaulters Spring Fest. At the Pacific Cup Ioannou came in fourth in the CVI3* Individual Female division. She was second in the AVA Region II Championship, before going on to win the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship Ioannou is still performing strongly into 2014. She kicked the year off with a third-place finish at the Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic. She then had three back-to-back secondplace finishes at the Pacific Cup CVI3*, Garrod’s Spring Classic, and CVI3* Chilliwack. She was eighth in the Individual Female division at CVIO3* Aachen. At the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship, she was third in the Women’s Gold Championship. Ioannou is a freshman at the University of California, Los Angeles. When she is not training or doing schoolwork, she enjoys shopping, scary movies, and the occasional donut. She trains with Emma Seely.
Vaulting - Individual Female In 2010, McCormick once again won the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship vaulting on Sir Anthony Van Dyck. They completed the season by finishing fourth place individually at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. June 2011 marked McCormick’s return to CVI competition and she made a spectacular showing by winning the CVI2* Individual Female division. A few weeks later, McCormick traveled to Aachen, Germany where she finished third in the CVIO2* Individual Female division. McCormick won four competitions leading up to the summer of 2012. She scored CVI3* Individual Female division wins at the CVI Chilliwack in Canada and the CVI Kentucky and North American Young Riders Vaulting Challenge. In August at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship, McCormick took top honors in the Women’s Gold Championship. She then represented the U.S. at the 2012 FEI World Vaulting Championship and finished the Individual Female Championship in 15th place. She started off 2013 with a win at the Mozart Memorial
Photo Credit: Lynne Owen/VaultingPhotos.com
Vaulting Classic. At the Pacific Cup, McCormick finished
Mary McCormick
second in the CVI3* Individual Female division. She scored
Born: January 7, 1983 Residence: Woodside, Calif.
Palatine – 1998 Westphalian gelding owned by Sydney Frankel Mary McCormick is one of America’s most decorated vaulters, having been named USEF Vaulter of the Year in 2009 and 2011. She represented the U.S. at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games and at the 2008 FEI World Vaulting Championship. McCormick discovered the sport when a schoolmate took her to watch vaulting in action. The 2002 USEF/AVA Women’s Silver National Vaulting Champion enjoyed an excellent year in 2008. In international competition, McCormick placed second at the CVI2* Krumke, second at the CHIO CVI2* Aachen, and eighth at the CVI2* Saumur. One year earlier at the CVI2* Saratoga, she was the second-place finisher. In 2009 she took home top honors at the Garrod’s Spring Classic.
another second-place finish at the USED/AVA National Vaulting Championship. McCormick closed out the year by claiming top honors at the USEF/AVA Region I Championships in the Women’s Gold division. McCormick has had a stellar year in 2014, winning at almost every turn. She began the year with a first-place finish at Vault into Spring in the Women’s Gold division, following it with another at the Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic. McCormick then earned top honors at the Pacific Cup CVI3*. She added two more wins to her record at Garrod’s Spring Classic and Woodside Vaulters Spring Fest, before heading overseas to the CVIO3* Aachen where she finished seventh in the Individual Female division. McCormick returned home and earned the Women’ Gold Championship title at the USEF/ AVA National Vaulting Championship. A member of the Mt. Eden Vaulting Club, home of one of the oldest and most successful vaulting programs in the U.S., and a student of 2007 USEF Coach of the Year Emma Garrod Seely, McCormick is also a coach herself at Mt. Eden, and is founder of the the Silver Star Vaulters in Springfield, Tenn. When she’s not vaulting, McCormick enjoys going on trail rides, dancing, yoga, and rock climbing. 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Vaulting - Individual Female Reserve season by representing the U.S. at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Game,s where she vaulted to seventh place individually. In 2012, Divita kicked things off with two second-place finishes at Face the Coast and the Garrod’s Spring Classic. She traveled out of the country for two successful CVI3* competitions, finishing third in the CVI Chilliwack in the CVI3* Individual Female division. Only a week later, she went to Germany to compete in the CVI3* Krumke, placing fourth. She ended the year by representing the U.S. at the FEI World Vaulting Championship, finishing in 11th place in a star-studded field. Divita had a strong year in 2013. She began the year with a trio of third-place finishes at the Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic and Garrod’s Spring Classic in the Women’s Gold divisions and in the CVI3* Individual Female division at CVI3* Krumke. Divita then scored an impressive sixth-place finish in the Individual Female division at CVIO3* Aachen. ReturnPhoto Credit: Shannon Brinkman
Alicen “Ali” Divita
Born: April 30, 1989 Residence: Redwood City, Calif. Pino del Rio – 2004 Westphalian gelding owned by Julie Divita Ali Divita started vaulting when she was 12 years old. She is a fierce competitor who doesn’t let much get in her way. In the summer of 2003, Divita broke her left arm and was unable to compete or practice until two weeks before the National Championship when her cast came off. She won every event she competed in, and earned first place overall for the Bronze competition. In 2004, Divita was the USEF/ AVA Women’s Silver National Champion. Divita began the 2010 season by earning a second-place finish at the CVI2* in Leipzig, Germany, in January. She was also second at both the Garrod’s Spring Classic and Woodside Vaulters Spring Fest in the Women’s Gold division. Divita claimed top honors at the CVI Chilliwack in Canada in the CVI2* Individual Female division. She completed her
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ing to the states, she took home the win at the Pacific Cup in the CVI3* Individual Female division. Divita closed out 2013 with a fourth-place finish in the AVA Region II Championships. In 2014, Divita has been performing consistently. Beginning the year with an international competition in Qatar, she was ninth at CVI3* Doha in the Individual Female division. Back in the U.S., she was fourth in the CVI3* Individual Female division at the Pacific Cup. Divita had another top performance at CVI3* Chilliwack, finishing in third place. She was third in the Woodside Vaulters Spring Fest, before coming in fourth in the Women’s Gold Championship at the USEF/AVA National Championship. Divita is a student at the University of California-Berkeley. Additionally, she has served as the assistant coach for the Woodside trot and tiny tot classes for the last several years.
Vaulting - Individual Male Championship. Aniello made history in 2013. He was the first male vaulter to represent the U.S. at the FEI World Cup Vaulting Final, where he finished in seventh-place. He ended the year with a third-place finish in the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship in the Men’s Gold Championship. Aniello has had a solid year in 2014. He began the season with a second-place finish in the Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic. Aniello was then third in the CVI3* Individual Male division at the Pacific Cup. He claimed his first win of the year at Garrod’s Spring Classic. Aniello then traveled to the CVI Chilliwack and came in fifth in the CVI3* Individual Male divison.
Photo Credit: Kate Revell/VaultingPhotos.com
Gabe Aniello
Born: May 1, 1991 Residence: Austin, Texas Ferdinand 194 – 2000 Hanoverian gelding owned by RVC Gilching e.V. Gabe Aniello has only been vaulting at the CVI level for a short time but has quickly made an impact on the scene. Aniello made his first CVI level appearance at the 2009 Kentucky Vaulting Cup, finishing fifth in the CVI2* Individual Male division. The following year, he won the CVI2* Individual Male division at CVI Chilliwack in Canada. He began 2012 with a win in the Men’s Gold division at Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic and Selection Trials. From there, Aniello won four straight competitions, including CVI3* Individual Male division at CVI Chilliwack. He then spent the summer competing in Europe, beginning his travels with a sixth-place finish at CVIO3* Aachen. Aniello brought the year to a close by finishing in 10th place at the FEI World Vaulting Championship in the Individual Male 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Vaulting - Individual Male World Equestrian Games. In October of 2010, Roberts represented the U.S. for the first time at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. He continued to improve in 2011. At the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship, Roberts was third in the Men’s Gold Championship. He scored a win at the Vaulting in Vegas IV competition. Roberts began 2012 with a third-place finish in the Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic and Selection Trials in the Men’s Gold division. He was third again at the Garrod’s Spring Classic, before going on to win the CVI2* at the Woodside Vaulters Spring Fest. Roberts finished second in the CVI3* Individual Male division at the CVI Chilliwack in Canada. In CVIO3* Aachen he came in eighth in the Individual Male division. Roberts scored another victory at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship in the Men’s Gold Championship. He brought 2012 to a close by representing the U.S. at the FEI World Vaulting Championship, Photo Credit: Shannon Brinkman
Kristian Roberts Born: March 17, 1993 Residence: Moss Beach, Calif.
Diva 506 - 2003 Oldenburg mare owned by RVC Gilching e.V. Kristian Roberts began vaulting at the age of 13. Roberts accepted an invitation from the Palmer family of the Half Moon Bay Vaulting Club to give the sport a try, and he has been hooked ever since. He spent his first year competing in the Trot and Copper divisions and has since made an impressive move up the ranks. In 2008, Roberts was the Men’s Silver Overall Champion at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship. In 2009, he began competing in the Gold division and put in consistent performances all year, taking third at the CVI2* Kentucky Cup and winning at Vaulting in Vegas II. Roberts had continued success in 2010, placing fifth at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship, which also served as the USEF Selection Trials for the Alltech FEI
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coming in 12th place. In 2013, Roberts scored several wins, beginning with the Garrod’s Spring Classic in the Men’s Gold division. At the Pacific Cup, he claimed top honors in the CVI3* Individual Male division. Roberts ended the year with the Men’s Gold Championship title in the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship. Roberts has won at almost every turn in 2014, including CVI3* Individual Male wins as the Pacific Cup CVI3* and CVI3* Chilliwack. At the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship, he won his third consecutive Men’s Gold Championship title.
Vaulting - Individual Male finish at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship. 2011 was a fantastic year for Stevens with wins in every competition he entered. His season was highlighted by his first Men’s Gold USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship title and CVI2* wins at CVI Saratoga and CVI Sydney. He had a solid year in 2012, kicking the season off with a second-place finish in the Men’s Gold division at the Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic and Selection Trials. At Face the Coast and Garrod’s Spring Classic, Stevens had two more second-place finishes. He represented the U.S. for the first time at the FEI World Vaulting Championship, where he finished in 13th place in the Individual Male Championship. In 2013, Stevens’ year was highlighted by a second-place CVI3* finish in the Individual Male division of the Pacific Cup. Stevens is in good form in 2014. At the Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic he was third in the Men’s Gold division. Stevens improved to a second-place finish at the Pacific Cup in the CVI3* Individual Male division. He had back-to-back Photo Credit: Lynne Owen/VaultingPhotos.com
Patrick Stevens
second-place finishes at Garrod’s Spring Classic and Woodside Vaulters Spring Fest. Stevens then earned the Reserve Champion title in the Men’s Gold division at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship.
Born: August 9, 1991 Residence: Martinez, Calif.
Stanford – 1998 Hanoverian gelding owned by Julie Divita and Woodside Vaulters Patrick Stevens is a member of the Woodside Vaulting Club in Woodside, Calif. In 2007 he was the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Champion in the Men’s Silver division. Following the success of 2007, Stevens moved up to the Gold division and won in his second outing of 2008 at the Garrod’s Spring Classic. At the 2009 USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship, Stevens finished second. He followed that up a month later with a win at the AVA Region II Championships. Stevens had consistent performances in 2010, finishing third at the Garrod’s Spring Classic, Woodside Vaulters Spring Fest, and Face-Off Challenge in the Men’s Gold division. At CVI Chilliwack he was fifth in the CVI3* Individual Male division. Stevens closed out the year with a sixth-place 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Vaulting - Pas de Deux Championship. At the 2009 Kentucky Cup CVI2*, Cassidy and Marisa Hamar won the Pas de Deux division performing to the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ USA.” Cassidy also finished fifth in the Individual Female division. Both Palmer sisters gained international experience in 2009 at the CVI2* in Saumur, France. Cassidy started 2010 by winning the Women’s Gold division at the Great Falls Vaulters and Topaz Vaulters Spring Fest. The sisters competed in CVI Chilliwack during the summer, winning the CVI2* Pas de Deux division, with Kimberly finishing fourth in the CVI2* Individual Female division. In 2012, at CVI Kentucky and the North American Young Riders Vaulting Challenge, Kimberly won the CVIJ2* Individual Female division. At the same competition, Cassidy had a fourth-place finish in the CVI3*. A few weeks later, Kimberly finished third in the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship in the Women’s Gold Championship. The Palmer sisters had a stellar year in 2013. At CVI3* Photo Credit: Lynne Owen/VaultingPhotos.com
Cassidy Palmer Born: June 27, 1993 Residence: Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Kimberly Palmer
Krumke the pair had an impressive second-place finish in the Pas de Deux division. Cassidy and Kimberly made a strong showing at CVIO3* Aachen, coming in fourth in the Pas de Deux division. Returning to the states, they won the Open Pas de Deux Championship at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship. The sisters closed out the year in a big way, winning the FEI World Cup qualifier at the Stuttgart German Masters. Cassidy and Kimberly began the 2014 season as one of the first pas de deux pairs to compete in inaugural Pas de Deux division at the FEI World Cup Vaulting Final. Against the best in the world, the Palmer sisters held their own,
Born: June 1, 1995 Residence: Half Moon Bay, Calif.
finishing in fourth place. They then had a fifth-place finish
Leon 364 – 1998 Wurttemberger gelding owned by Renz Wolfgang and Maren Illig
Cassidy and Kimberly traveled to Europe and were fourth
Sisters Cassidy and Kimberly Palmer have found success competing as Individuals, as well as in Pas de Deux and Team divisions. In 2004, Cassidy earned USEF/AVA National C Team Championship with her Half Moon Bay/Woodside Composite teammates. Kimberly was the winner of the Women’s Bronze division at the 2005 USEF/AVA National
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at CVI3* Doha in Qatar in the Pas de Deux division. The pair returned to the U.S. for the Pacific Cup where they won the CVI3* Pas de Deux division. The sisters competed in CVI Chilliwack and were third in the CVI3* Pas de Deux division. at CVI3* Krumke. They then made a stop at CVIO3* Aachen and were ninth in the Pas de Deux division.
Vaulting - Pas de Deux In 2013, Roberts scored several wins, beginning with the Garrod’s Spring Classic in the Men’s Gold division. At the Pacific Cup he claimed top honors in the CVI3* Individual Male division. Roberts ended the year with the Men’s Gold Championship title in the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship. Roberts has won at almost every turn in 2014, including CVI3* Individual Male wins as the Pacific Cup CVI3* and CVI3* Chilliwack. At the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship, he won his third consecutive Men’s Gold Championship title. Mary Garrett began vaulting with Valley View Vaulters in 2002, and joined FACE in 2008 as a member of FACE: “The Wall”. With “The Wall,” Garrett had the opportunity to train and compete in Germany for the summer of 2009, where she developed a taste for international team vaulting. At the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Garrett won a Gold medal alongside her FACE teammates. In 2011, at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship, Garrett finished third in the Women’s Gold division. The folPhoto Credit: Lynne Owen/VaultingPhotos.com
Kristian Roberts Born: March 17, 1993 Residence: Moss Beach, Calif.
Mary Garrett
Born: January 25, 1990 Residence: Mountain View, Calif. Diva 506 - 2003 Oldenburg mare owned by RVC Gilching e.V. Kristian Roberts began vaulting at the age of 13 and has risen to the top ranks of the sport. In 2009, he began competing in the Gold division, and the following year he represented the U.S. for the first time at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Roberts represented the U.S. again in 2012 at the FEI World Vaulting Championship, coming in 12th place in the Individual Male Championship.
lowing year, she was second at CVI Kentucky and the North American Young Riders Vaulting Challenge in the CVI3* Individual Female division at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship in the Women’s Gold Championship. Garrett closed out her 2013 season with a fourth-place finish in the Women’s Gold Championship at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship. Garret has had a solid year in 2014. She began the year with back-to-back second-place finishes at Vault into Spring and the Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic. Garrett then received third-place honors at the Pacific Cup in the CVI3* Individual Female division. Garrett claimed her first win of the year at the CVI Chilliwack in Canada in the CVI3* Individual Female division. She then added two second-place finishes to her record at the Woodside Vaulters Spring Fest and USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship. Roberts and Garrett together have found success as a pas de deux pair, having just begun their partnership this year. At CVI Chilliwack, the pair claimed top honors in the CVI3* Pas de Deux division in their first competition together. Roberts and Garrett had another strong performance at CVIO3* Aachen, coming in fourth in Pas de Deux division. They returned to the U.S. and won the Open Pas de Deux Championship at the 2014 USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship. 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Vaulting - Squad Founded in 1990, the Woodside Vaulters are some of the most successful in the U.S. Based in Woodside, Calif., they have won National Championship titles in Individual and Team competition at every level and international championships in Europe, Canada, and the U.S. The Woodside Vaulters also have represented the U.S. at every FEI World Equestrian Games since 1998. The club’s accolades include multiple USEF and AVA Coach of the Year, Trainer of the Year, and Horse of the Year Awards. In 2014, the Woodside squad began the year with a second-place finish at the Pacific Cup in the CVI3* Squad division. On their home turf, they won the A Team division at the Woodside Spring Fest. At CVIO3* Aachen, the Woodside squad had a strong performance to finish in fourth place. Returning to the U.S., the group claimed the A Team Championship title at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship.
Photo Credit: Lynne Owen/VaultingPhotos.com
Woodside Vaulters Stanford – 1998 Hanoverian gelding owned by Julie Divita and Woodside Vaulters Reserve Horse Go for Gold – 1993 mare of unknown breeding owned by Julie Newell and Gill Barham Squad Members Tessa Divita/Emerald Hills, Calif./16 Audrey Kiernan/San Mateo, Calif./11 Siddartha Kreaden/Sunnyvale, Calif./16 Kristen Kuhn/San Mateo, Calif./12 Rachel Polati/Emerald Hills, Calif./17 Miki Yang/Los Altos Hills, Calif./10 Reserve Alicen Divita/ Redwood City, Calif./25
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Vaulting - Staff
Photo Credit: USEF Archive
Craig Coburn
Born: October 15, 1963 Residence: West Hollywood, Calif. Chef d’Equipe Craig Coburn began his vaulting career in 1972 at the age of nine. He went on to win national and international medals, winning three consecutive Gold Men’s National Championships and representing the U.S. at the FEI World Vaulting Championships in 1986 and 1988. After his successful competition career, he joined the American Vaulting Association (AVA) judges program. He holds his “R” with the AVA and USEF and has a 3* ranking at the FEI level. Now he is the AVA National Office Manager, on the AVA Board of Directors, and serves on the USEF Vaulting Technical Committee.
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Vaulting - Staff
Photo Credit: USEF Archive
Hallye Griffin
Born: July 4, 1986 Residence: Lexington, Ky. Team Leader Hallye Griffin grew up riding in the United States Pony Club and competing in the discipline of eventing in Kentucky. She attended Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky., and majored in Political Science. Following her graduation she worked for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Organizing Committee in the Competition Department. In 2011, Griffin joined the USEF as the Director of Dressage National Programs. For the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, she is stepping into the role of Team Leader for the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage and Vaulting teams.
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Driving
The U.S. Driving Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games The following horses-and-athlete combinations have been named to the U.S. Driving Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and are in alphabetical order. The driving competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will take place September 4-7, 2014 at La Prairie Racecourse in Caen, France.
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Driving - Team in Austria, the 2005 team that placed fifth in Great Britain, and the 2007 Bronze medal-winning team in Poland. Stroud has won multiple USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championships, claiming her first title in 2004 then again in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, Stroud won the FEI Pony Team division at the Live Oak International CAI. She then finished second in at the Garden State CDE with her team. She finished out the season by defending her USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship title at The Laurels at Landhope. Stroud had a banner year in 2009, winning at almost every turn. She began the year with wins in the FEI Pony Team divisions at Sunshine State and Live Oak. Stroud collected another win at the Southern Pines CDE in the Advanced Pony Team division. She next traveled to Greven, Germany, to represent the U.S. at the FEI Pony World Driving Championships, helping the team to a fourth-place finish. Upon returning to the states, Stroud had two more Photo Credit: Picsofyou.com
Allison “Lisa” Stroud
Born: June 7, 1953 Residence: West Grove, Pa. Anesco 4 – 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Willow Star LLC Mozès – 2000 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Willow Star LLC Olando – 1996 KWPN gelding owned by Koos de Ronde Ulco – 2001 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Willow Star LLC Zenno – 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Willow Star LLC Allison “Lisa” Stroud has been competing in combined driving for many years and has represented the U.S. on numerous occasions at FEI Pony World Driving Championships. She was part of the 2003 team that finished sixth
winning efforts at The Laurels at Landhope CDE and the Kentucky Cup and Lexington Driving Classic, claiming another USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship title. She had another stellar year in 2010 with her team of ponies. Stroud won the FEI Pony Team divisions at Sunshine State and the Live Oak. For the Iron Horse CDE, she entered the Advanced Pair Pony division and came out on top yet again. Stroud finished out the season with another win, this time in the Advanced Pony Team division at The Laurels at Landhope. In 2011, Stroud began the year by winning USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship at Live Oak. She then had a win at the Southern Pines CDE in the Advanced Pony Team division. In September, Stroud traveled to Europe to compete and finished ninth in the Breda CAIP-A4 in The Netherlands. In Lipica, Slovenia, she was a member of the U.S. team FEI Pony World Driving Championships, receiving a Team Bronze medal and finishing sixth individually. Stroud continued to dominate the Advanced Pony Team division in 2012. She claimed top honors at Live Oak and had another winning effort at Glen Willow. At the Kentucky Classic CDE, Stroud won the USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship, yet again. 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Driving - Team In 2013, Stroud won the FEI Pony Team division at both Little Everglades and Live Oak. She then was named USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Champion for the ninth time at the Southern Pines CDE. She continued her winning ways at Glen Willow and Kentucky Classic in the Advanced Pony Team divisions. In 2014, Stroud took up a new challenge as she turned from a Pony Team to a Four-in-Hand Horse Team as she looked to represent the U.S. at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In order to achieve her goal, she has been driving a team in Europe contesting CAI3* competition at Horst, Windsor, and L채hden, as well as the CAIO4* Saumur.
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Driving - Team
Photo Credit: Picsofyou.com
Chester Weber Born: June 3, 1975 Residence: Ocala, Fla.
Boris W- 2006 KWPN gelding owned by Chester Weber Boy W- 2000 Royal Dutch gelding owned by Chester Weber Para- 1997 Royal Dutch gelding owned by Chester Weber Splash- 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Jane Clark Uniek- 2001 Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Jane Clark Chester Weber consistently has ranked as a top U.S. driver and is listed among the Top 10 internationally. His success in driving started early. At age 18, he was the youngest driver to be named to the United States Equestrian Team (USET) and qualify for the World Pairs Driving Championship.
By 1999, Weber had won 12 consecutive advanced CDEs and then transitioned to Four-in-Hand driving, where he not only has made a name for himself internationally, but also has amassed an unprecedented streak of eight national championships in a row. Weber was the U.S. Four-In-Hand National Champion in March 2008 at the CAI Live Oak in Ocala, Fla. With this sixth national title under his belt, Weber headed to Europe where he enjoyed a very successful summer. In July, Weber won the Time Shuttle prize at the prestigious CHIO Aachen, posting a score of 36.48. He and his team finished Aachen winning third place overall in the Four-In-Hand division, less than one point behind the second-place finisher. The culmination of his 2008 European tour was at the Four-in-Hand World Driving Championships held in Beesd, The Netherlands, where he took the Silver medal. Weber had another banner year in 2009. He won again at the Live Oak CAI in Ocala in March. In October, Weber was able to achieve a feat that no other American Four-In-Hand driver has been able to do when he captured his unprecedented seventh straight national championship. In 2010, Weber won at every turn. In March, he collected his eighth straight USEF Four-in-Hand National Champion2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Driving - Team ship on home turf at his family’s Live Oak Plantation. Prior
CAIO4* Saumur in June. In July, he claimed the most pres-
to his win at Live Oak, Weber claimed top honors at the
tigious title of his career when he won the CAIO4* Aachen,
Sunshine State CAI.
helping him rise to the top-ranked driver in the world.
Weber continued his domination by picking up wins in
In addition to his rigorous competition schedule, Weber
June at the CAI-B Garden State CDE, and in Canada at the
actively promotes the sport of driving. In 2009 he was
Bromont International CAI-A. He and his team completed
the Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. team at the 2009 and 2011
the 2010 season by representing the U.S. at the Alltech FEI
World Pony Driving Championships in Greven, Germany.
World Equestrian Games, where they won the Team Silver
He currently is on the USEF Board of Directors, the High
medal.
Performance Driving Committee, the National Driving Com-
In 2011, Weber kept up his winning streak, collecting victories at Sunshine State, Little Everglades, and Live Oak before traveling to Europe. Weber dominated on a tour to Europe in the summer of 2011. He won all three CAI4s he entered in Europe, picking up victories in Hungary, Austria, and Germany. Weber kept his streak alive in 2012, winning the Sunshine State, Little Everglades International, and Live Oak Four-inHand Horse divisions. He traveled to Europe in June where he won the CAI-A4 competition out of 38 drivers in Lahden, Germany, before finishing ninth and fourth, respectively, in Austria and The Netherlands. At the 2012 FEI Four-in-Hand Driving World Championships in Riesenbeck, Germany, Weber claimed the Individual Silver medal and helped the U.S. team earn Bronze. Upon returning to the states, he won the Advanced Four-In-Hand Horse divisions at the Hermitage Classic and Kentucky Classic Combined Driving Events. In 2013, Weber began the year with wins in the Little Everglades International and Live Oak International FEI Four-in-Hand Horse divisions. He then traveled to Europe and claimed the win in the Four-in-Hand division at the Saumur CAI-A4 in France. In the CAIO-4 at the CHIO Aachen, Weber performed against the world’s best four-in-hand drivers to finish in third place. He also helped the U.S. team to a sixth-place finish. A month later at the Beekbergen CAI-A4, he claimed yet another third-place finish against stiff competition. 2014 has been Weber’s most successful campaign’s to date as he has won many the world’s most prestigious competitions. In March he claimed his 11th Four-in-Hand National Title at Live Oak International. He then traveled to Europe winning at nearly every turn. In May, he was the winner of the CAI3* Windsor before going onto win the
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mittee, and the Safety Committee, and is Chairman of the Active Athletes Committee.
Driving - Team
Photo Credit: Picsofyou.com
Misdee Wrigley Miller
Born: January 2, 1957 Residence: Lakewood Ranch, Fla. Agussto’s Armoei – 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Misdee Wrigley Miller Beau – 2006 KWPN gelding owned by Misdee Wrigley Miller Carlos 663 – 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Misdee Wrigley Miller Clemens 49 – 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Misdee Wrigley Miller Saco – 1999 KWPN gelding owned by Tomas Eriksson As a fourth-generation horsewoman, Misdee Wrigley Miller knew she would always be involved with horses. Today, she is involved in the combined driving and coaching divisions and
actively competes in American Saddlebred shows in ThreeGaited, Five-Gaited, Fine Harness, and Roadster classes. In 2009, Miller won the Intermediate Pair division at the Kentucky Horse Park CDE and the following year moved up to compete in the FEI Pair Division. In 2010, Miller not only advanced a level, she also gained valuable international experience. That summer, she competed at the Royal Windsor International Horse Show in England and at CAIO Riesenbeck in Germany. Miller enjoyed a successful start to the 2011 season competing in Florida. She collected fourth-place finishes in the pair divisions at both the Sunshine State CDE and Little Everglades International. At the end of March, she was fifth in the USEF National Pair Championship held at Live Oak. Miller also finished sixth in the CAIO Riesenbeck. She ended her year by winning the Advanced Pair division at the Kentucky Classic CDE. Miller started 2012 with a bang, winning the Sunshine State Combined CDE, Little Everglades International, and Live Oak International Pair Horse divisions. In May, she traveled to Great Britain, where she finished fifth in the CAI-A2 Windsor event. The following month, she finished sixth in the CAI-A2 Altenfelden in Austria. She finished 2012 with a 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Driving - Team Reserve Champion title in the USEF National Pair Championship at the Kentucky Classic CDE. In 2013, Miller began with wins at the Sunshine State CDE and Little Everglades International in the Pair Horse divisions. At Live Oak International, she claimed the USEF National Pairs Championship. Miller traveled to Austria to hone her skills on the European stage at the CAI-A2 Altenfelden, where she finished third in the dressage phase. At the CAIO Riesenbeck, she was a member of the U.S. team that finished fourth, also finishing 14th overall individually. In August, she traveled to Slovokia, helping the U.S. to earn a fourth-place finish at the FEI World Driving Championships for Pairs. Miller made the step up from Pairs to a Horse Team in 2014, earning the Reserve National Championship at Live Oak. She then headed to Europe to compete gaining valuable experience at CAI3* Windwor, CAIO4* Saumur, and CAI3* L채hden Miller and husband, James, split time between Lakewood Ranch, Fla., and their Hillcroft Farm in Paris, Ky.
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Driving - Staff He presently serves as vice chairman of the USEF’s International High Performance Committee for Driving, is a member of the USEF’s Technical Committee for Driving, and sits on the boards of the Pittsford Carriage Association and the Gladstone Equestrian Association.
Photo Credit: USEF Archive
Ed Young
Born: November 15, 1947 Residence: Geneseo, N.J. Chef d’Equipe Ed Young is a retired teacher of mathematics for “at risk” students. Now that he has retired from teaching, most of his time is spent with some aspect of equestrian sport. His experiences include officiating as a Technical Delegate, scoring, organizing, competing and volunteering. He also assumes the position of show manager for the Walnut Hill Driving Competition in Pittsford, N.Y., as well as the Florida Carriage and Horse Festival in Weirsdale, Fla. Young holds credentials as a Technical Delegate for combined driving with the FEI, USEF, and the American Driving Society (ADS). Additionally, he is carded as a Pleasure Driving Technical Delegate with both the USEF and the ADS. Young has served as the Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. FourIn-Hand Driving teams in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012 and Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Singles Driving Team in 2008. 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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Driving - Staff carriage. She went to many combined driving events in the U.S. with the Fairclough team, and in 1996 assisted him at the World Championships in Waregem, Belgium. Staller worked at the USET Foundation in 2004, fundraising for the Olympic Games in Greece. In the spring of 2009, she joined the USEF as the Director of High Performance Driving Disciplines. With her husband, Bill Denney, Staller keeps a home in Philadelphia as well as in Bedminster, N.J. Staller and Denney have three children between them, Andrew, Will, and Sophia.
Photo Credit: USEF Archive
Elizabeth Staller Born: November 7, 1966 Residence: Bedminster, N.J. Team Leader Elizabeth “Lizzy” Staller has been involved in equestrian sports since the age of 10, when she began riding with Sally Graburn. Although her chosen sport was eventing, all of Graburn’s students were taught to drive a pony. After completing school, Staller rode and trained with noted Canadian eventer, Lorraine Laframboise. An equine radiology and endoscopy technician, Staller worked at the University of Pennsylvania’s Large Animal School of Veterinary Medicine New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. After moving to New Jersey in 1992, Staller spent several years with well-known Four-in-Hand driver James Fairclough and had a formal introduction to driving. She was taken with the sport and helped Fairclough with his team, grooming horses, assisting at vet checks, and riding on the
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Staff Programs, from 2005 to 2013. Additionally, he has served as co-Chef de Mission at the 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games and as Chef de Mission for the entire U.S. equestrian delegation at the 2002, 2006, and 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games and the 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympic Games. Wolf launched Wolf Sports Group, a sports marketing, event management, and logistics company, in December 2013.
Photo Credit: USEF Archive
Jim Wolf
Born: August 1, 1963 Residence: Lebanon, N.J. Chef de Mission Jim Wolf has many years of administrative and competitive experience in horse sports. Prior to joining the United States Equestrian Team (USET)/ United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) staff full-time, he managed the United States Equestrian Team’s three-day eventing squad at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, where he was responsible for the coordination of the training and preparation of the team. He served as the USET/USEF’s Director of Eventing Activities from 1993 to 2004; Team Leader for the U.S. Eventing Teams at the 1994, 1998 and 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games; 1995 and 1999 Pan American Games; 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympic Games; and 1997 European Open Championships. Wolf was responsible for the development, planning and facilitation of all areas of the USEF’s Sport Programs in his role as Executive Director, Sport 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
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