Category Archives: Olympic Games

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, Olympic Games, USEF

Little-Meredith Withdraws RF Rovano Rex; Will Faudree and Andromaque Named to the USEF Short List for the US Eventing Team for the 2012 Olympic Games

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Lexington, KY – Marilyn Little-Meredith has withdrawn Raylyn Farm’s RF Rovano Rex from the USEF Eventing Short List for the 2012 Olympic Games. The horse has been withdrawn for veterinary reasons.

“I am incredibly grateful to the USEF Selection Panel for their faith in RF Rovano Rex and myself, and for the honor of our inclusion on the Olympic Short List for 2012,” said Little-Meredith. “Unfortunately, I believe it is in the best interest of my wonderful partner to save him for another day, though I wish everyone all the luck on the road to London. The US is so fortunate to have such a talented and driven group of horses and riders to represent our sport in London, and these riders are equally as fortunate to have an unparalleled support system in place as provided by the USEF.”

With the withdrawal of RF Rovano Rex, the USEF Selectors named Will Faudree and Jennifer Mosing’s Andromaque to the Short List. The 11 horse/rider combinations named to the Short List will fly to the UK on Monday June 18th. They will contest the Barbury Castle International Horse Trials June 27 – July 1, following which the team will be named.

Continue reading Little-Meredith Withdraws RF Rovano Rex; Will Faudree and Andromaque Named to the USEF Short List for the US Eventing Team for the 2012 Olympic Games →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, USEF

Hart and Lord Ludger Lead 2012 National Para-Equestrian Championships

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Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger on their way to winning the Grade II Individual Test (SusanJStickle.com)

Gladstone, NJ – The National Para-Equestrian Championships featuring the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials continued Tuesday with riders performing their Individual Tests. Riders braved the rain at the Pine Meadow location of the USET Foundation Headquarters to showcase their skills across five grades of competition. Following the second test of the National Championship and Selection Trial, Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger lead Donna Ponessa and Western Rose by the slimmest of margins.

Hart (Unionville, PA) is on a quest to claim her fifth National title and earn the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the Paralympic Games in London this summer. The 2008 Paralympic Games and 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games veteran earned the highest score of the day to win Tuesday’s Grade II Individual Test and lead the National Championship field. Hart rode Jessica Ransehousen’s veteran Holsteiner gelding to a score of 73.968% Tuesday on the strength of an accurate forward test.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, USEF

Rain Fails to Dampen Riders’ Spirits at United States Equestrian Federation Paralympic Selection Trials

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Rebeca Hart and Lord Ludger compete under a downpour of rain at the USEF Paralympic Selection Trials. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall

Gladstone, NJ – June 12, 2012 – The weather report for Tuesday, June 12, 2012 predicted 80% chance of rain at the United States Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters. Within an hour of competition at the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Paralympic Selection Trials/Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships, rain began to crash upon the trees. Riders did not waiver from the schedule and welcomed the rain as a variable to take advantage of. As the second day concluded Rebecca Hart (Unionville, PA) inched ahead of Donna Ponessa (New Windsor, NY), and 2011 National Champion Jonathan Wentz (Richardson, TX). With only the Freestyle competition left to secure four spots on the United States Paralympic Team headed to London, riders hope to continue earning supreme scores. Currently Rebecca Hart, Donna Ponessa, Jonathan Wentz, and Dale Dedrick (Ann Arbor, MI) have remained in the top four of the standings.

Rebecca Hart, 26, and Lord Ludger excelled in the Grade II Team Test earning a 73.968% aboard the Holsteiner gelding. Hart showcased her test when the rain became a downpour but Hart remained determined and relaxed. “I owe my grippy gloves to sticky spray,” chuckled Hart. “The reins get quite slippery in a rain like this and with two whips, and two reins it gets difficult to hold onto everything if it’s wet. However, the rain was not a factor on how LoLu performed.” Having all types of situations occur within an atmosphere like the Selection Trials gives the riders experiences they can grow from before heading to a large show like the Paralympics.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, USEF

Ponessa Gets Early Jump on Competition at the National Para-Equestrian Championships

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Donna Ponessa and Western Rose (Susan J. Stickle)

Gladstone, NJ – The level of competition was extremely high Monday, as six combinations scored over 70% in the National Para-Equestrian Championships which are being held in conjunction with the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials. So with both a national title and spots to compete in London on the line, all competitors put forth their best efforts. FEI Team Tests were ridden by all 24 combinations in their respective grade, with Donna Ponessa and Western Rose jumping out to an early lead.

Ponessa was the final rider of the day with Wesley Dunham’s Western Rose earning a score of 73.725%. The nine-year-old Oldenburg mare demonstrated a solid walk gait, which Ponessa showcased by riding a very accurate 1a Team Test.

The New Windsor, NY resident was very pleased with her horse’s effort today but she expects nothing less of the talented mare.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, Olympic Games, USEF

USEF Names Short List and Nominated Entry for the US Eventing Team for the 2012 Olympic Games

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Lexington, KY – Following the 2012 Bromont International CCI, which served as the final Selection Trial for the Land Rover US Eventing Team, The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) named the Nominated Entry and the Short List for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Nominated Entry, which is due to the FEI on June 17, is comprised of 15 horse/rider combinations. Eleven horses have been named to the Short List. These horses will compete at the Barbury Castle International Horse Trials June 27 – July 1st. The Team will be named on July 2nd and submitted to the USOC on July 6th.

The Nominated Entry in Alphabetical Order (the shortlisted combinations are designated below with a star next to their names):

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, USEF

23 Duos Pass Veterinary Inspection for 2012 United States Equestrian Federation Paralympic Selection Trials

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Kai Handt jogging Silvano for Jonathan Wentz at 2012 USEF Paralympic Selection Trials/National Championships. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall

Gladstone, NJ – June 10, 2012 – In 2008, five Para-Equestrian Dressage riders competed in the United States Selection Trials for the Beijing Paralympics. Four years later twenty-three horse and rider combinations earned the right to compete at the 2012 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Paralympic Selection Trials. Dr. Stacey Kent, DVM, FEI Ground Jury member Carlos Lopes 5* (POR), and USEF Dressage Team Vet Dr. Rick Mitchell, DVM were on hand to evaluate each horse during Sunday’s veterinary inspection. Each horse passed with flying colors shifting the rider’s focus to the next three days of competition. From June 11-13 Para-Equestrian athletes will compete at the United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET) headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey. Running simultaneously with the Selection Trials is the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships. Overall scores for both the Paralympic Selection Trials and National Championships will be calculated using 40% of the Team Test, 40% of the Individual and 20% of the Freestyle Test Score. With only four spots on the United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team headed to London it will be crucial that each test is precisely executed.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, USEF

Strong Field Set to Vie for Top Honors at the National Para-Equestrian Championships

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Robin Brueckman and Radetzky at the Veterinary Inspections (Lindsay McCall)

Gladstone, NJ – Competition in the National Para-Equestrian Championships featuring the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials is set to begin Monday in five grades. All 24 horses presented at the Veterinary Inspection Sunday afternoon were accepted. Riders will perform three tests over three days of competition held at Pine Meadow which is part of the USET Foundation Headquarters. On Monday, riders will compete in the FEI Team Test in their respective grade, they then return to ring Tuesday to perform FEI Individual Tests. Competition concludes Wednesday as riders showcase their Freestyle Tests.

2012 marks the first time the National Para-Equestrian Championships are being held as a stand-alone competition.

The USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials has seen tremendous growth as 16 riders are vying to represent the U.S. at the 2012 Paralympic Games, August 30 – September 4, while only six athletes vied for a team spot in 2008. Sydney Collier, Grade II, is the sole competitor in contention for National Championship honors; at 14 years old she does not meet the minimum age requirement to compete in London.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, USEF

Athletes Prepare for 2012 USEF Para-Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials & Nat’l Championships

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Jonathan Wentz 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion in Saugerties, NY. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall

Gladstone, NJ – June 2, 2012 – United States Para-Equestrians from California to New England will be making their way to Gladstone, New Jersey for the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials and National Championships. The Trials and National Championships will take place at the USET Headquarters June 10-13, 2012. Although the final count of riders is not official at this time, this may be one of the largest attended Selection Trials and National Championships for the Para-Equestrian discipline. Athletes will compete over three days demonstrating their Team, Individual, and Freestyle Tests. The National Championship scores will be calculated using 40% of the Team Test, 40% of the Individual and 20% of the Freestyle Test Scores. With only four spots for the United States Paralympic Team that will head to London, the competition will be tenacious. Riders will compete under FEI Ground Jury Carlos Lopes (5*) POR, Anne Prain (5*) FRA, and Marc Urban (5*) BEL. Equestrians will be seeing these judges again if they qualify for London with Lopes and Prain who are members of the ground jury and Marc Urban who will be the Assistant Technical Delegate. The Paralympic Equestrian events take place in London, England at Greenwich Park August 30 – September 4, 2012.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Olympic Games, Show Jumping, USEF

Third 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Event Set to Get Underway at Devon Horse Show

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Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo (Shannon Brinkman)

Devon, PA – All eyes will be on the Devon Horse Show this week as 13 of the top jumping combinations in the U.S. compete in the third of four 2012 U.S. Show Jumping Team Observation Events. Horses and riders on the USEF Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games will jump in Thursday’s Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon and Saturday’s Open Jumper Stake.

Beezie Madden will be extremely busy this week as she brings her three long listed horses to compete at the Devon Observation Event. Madden will compete Coral Reef Via Volo in the mare’s first Observation Event classes this week. The 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood and Madden teamed up to win Team Gold and Individual Silver medals for the U.S. at last year’s Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. She will also ride Abigail Wexner’s talented geldings Simon and Cortes ‘C’. Both horses had strong showings at the Observation Event in Lexington, KY earlier this month. Simon jumped to victory in the $50,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and collected third place honors in the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix. While Cortes ‘C’ finished fourth in the latter.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, Phelps Media Group, USEF

Todd Flettrich and Otto Are Ready and Set to Go to the USEF Olympic Dressage Selection Trials

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Photo courtesy of Susan Stickle

Wellington, FL – May 31, 2012 – Olympic hopeful Todd Flettrich and his equine partner, Otto, are hard at work getting ready for the USEF Olympic Dressage Selection Trials in Gladstone, NJ. The selection trials will decide which horse and rider teams will represent the United States in dressage at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The trials will be held at the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation headquarters June 8-10 and 13-14.

In order to get closer to New Jersey, Flettrich and Otto recently returned to their summer home in Pennsylvania. The two had a successful winter show season in South Florida and were training in Wellington, FL, with Oded Shimoni, the U.S.-based Israeli coach who has proclaimed them both fit and strong. The dynamic duo of Flettrich and Otto remained in Florida as long as possible before the trials to stay acclimated to the heat and humidity.

“The weather in Pennsylvania is really nice this time of year, but it’s hot and humid in New Jersey during the trails and we both need to be ready,” Flettrich explained. “The heat and humidity in Florida will have us ready for whatever weather comes our way at the trials.”

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