Category Archives: USEF

Dressage, USEF

Laura Graves and Verdades Move to Number Two in FEI World Dressage Rankings

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Lexington, Ky. – Laura Graves and Verdades have advanced to the number two spot in the FEI World Dressage Rankings after a successful showing at the 2017 World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen in July. This equals the highest ranking ever by a U.S. dressage combination. Germany’s Isabell Werth and Weihegold OLD remain world-ranked number one. Great Britain’s Carl Hester and Nip Tuck are ranked third.

Previously, Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and the 2002 KWPN gelding, who defeated Werth and Weihegold OLD in the Grand Prix Special in CDIO5* Aachen, held the number four spot since August 2016 following the Rio Olympic Games where they won a team bronze medal and placed fourth in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Graves and Verdades first appeared on the world standings in February 2014, ranked 458th, after their first two international competitions at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival.

U.S. combinations Steffen Peters and Ravel were world number two in June and July 2009, and Debbie McDonald and Lisa Wilcox were frequently world number two from 2003 to 2005.

Complete world rankings

By US Equestrian Communications Department

Dressage, FEI, USEF

US Dressage Team Set for Start of FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* Hickstead

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Susan Dutta and Currency DC (SusanJStickle.com)

Hickstead, England – The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team takes aim at the FEI Nations Cup™ CDIO3* Hickstead from July 27-30. Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover will guide the U.S. team of Katherine Bateson-Chandler, Susan Dutta, Chase Hickok, and Charlotte Jorst. Riding against three other teams, the U.S. combinations will compete in the following order:

Susan Dutta and Currency DC:  Dutta (Wellington, Fla.) and Tim Dutta Inc.’s Currency DC are solid international competitors, having spent numerous summers competing in Europe. In 2016, they finished third in the Grand Prix Freestyle at CDI3* Deauville and fifth in the Grand Prix Freestyle at CDI4* Cappeln. Dutta and the 2000 Oldenburg gelding had top-ten finishes at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in March.

Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Alcazar: Bateson-Chandler (Wellington, Fla.) with Jane Clark’s Alcazar began 2017 with top-four finishes during the winter circuit at the AGDF. Bateson-Chandler and the 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding began their summer in Europe by representing the U.S. in the FEI Nations Cup™ CDIO4* Uggerhalne. The pair will strive for a solid performance in their second Nations Cup appearance of the year.

Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo: Jorst (Reno, Nev.) and Kastel Denmark’s Kastel’s Nintendo had a very successful start to 2017 with several top-three finishes in the spring. Jorst and the 2003 Dutch Warmblood stallion earned top-ten finishes at Rotterdam and Falsterbo. They joined Hickok and Sagacious HF on the Falsterbo team and intend to have a great performance at Hickstead.

Chase Hickok and Sagacious HF: Hickok (Wellington, Fla.) and Hyperion Farm, Inc.’s Sagacious HF will compete in their second Nations Cup after having a strong showing at CDIO5* Falsterbo a few weeks ago. They finished second in the Grand Prix Freestyle and fourth in the Grand Prix at Falsterbo. Hickok and the 1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding hope to continue their momentum as they head into Hickstead.

Find out more about FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* Hickstead and watch it live on EquestrianPRO.tv beginning Friday at 7:15 a.m. EST.

By Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department

FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

US Show Jumping Team Named for FEI Nations Cup CSIO5* Dublin

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Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has named the following athletes to the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team for FEI Nations Cup CSIO5* Dublin, August 9-13, in Dublin, Ireland. The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team will wrap up their summer Nations Cup European tour with the FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final, September 28 – October 1, in Barcelona, Spain. The team for the FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final will be announced at a later date.

Lauren Hough (Wellington, Fla.)

Lillie Keenan (New York, N.Y.)

Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.)

Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.)

McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.)

Robert Ridland will serve as Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Team.

Watch the live stream of FEI Nations Cup CSIO5* Dublin on FEI TV, Friday, August 11, at 10:35 a.m. EST.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

US Show Jumping Team Prepared for Podium Battle in FEI Nations Cup CSIO5* Aachen

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Kent Farrington and Gazelle (RedBayStock.com)

Aachen, Germany – The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team will be composed of four Olympians when it competes in FEI Nations Cup CSIO5* Aachen on Thursday, July 20. The powerhouse team of Kent Farrington, Laura Kraut, Beezie Madden, and McLain Ward will face eight nations, all fielding elite talent in their own right, as they seek to secure a podium finish. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland will lead the U.S. team, having drawn second in the order, and has set the following order of go:

Kent Farrington and Gazelle: Farrington (Wellington, Fla.), the current world number one ranked show jumper, and Gazelle return to Aachen riding high off a successful few weeks in Spruce Meadows. The Olympic team silver medalist and his and Robin Parksy’s 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare won the prominent ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup during the ‘North American’ CSI5* presented by Rolex earlier this month and the ATB Financial Cup in June. Additionally, in May, they narrowly edged out a victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Madrid CSI5*.

Elizabeth “Beezie” Madden and Coach: Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.) began testing Coach at the five-star level at the beginning of the year where he showed his Grand Prix potential early. With the two-time Olympic team gold medalist aboard, Abigail Wexner’s 2008 Holsteiner gelding impressed early on with standout performances during the Winter Equestrian Festival. They collected a fifth-place finish in the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* and a fourth-place finish in the $216,000 Lugano Diamonds CSIO4* Grand Prix. Most recently, the budding combination placed third in the CP Grand Prix during the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ CSI5* and are prepared for their toughest challenge to date in Aachen.

Laura Kraut and Zeremonie: The Olympic gold medalist and Zeremonie return to Aachen after helping the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team to a bronze-medal finish in the 2016 FEI Nations Cup Final and a tie for the team silver medal in the 2016 FEI Nations Cup at CHIO Aachen. Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), continues to develop Zeremonie, Old Willow Farms 2007 Holsteiner mare, at the five-star level, where they earned a third-place finish at CSI5* Knokke, Belgium earlier in the month.

McLain Ward and HH Azur: The Olympic gold medalist and current world number two ranked show jumper, along with the 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare, have risen to the top of some of the world’s most prestigious competitions. They secured an Olympic team silver medal in Rio de Janeiro and captured the lucrative Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final title in April. In a year that garnered massive success, Double H Farm and Francois Mathy’s HH Azur got a much-earned rest following the World Cup Finals. In June, Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) added HH Azur back into the rotation seeking their next big victory. Most recently, they placed fifth in the CP Grand Prix during the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ CSI5*.

Watch the event live beginning Thursday at 1:30 p.m. EST on ClipMyHorse.tv.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Eventing/H.T., USEF

US Eventing Team Ready to Ride in Great Meadow International CICO3*

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The Plains, Va. – All U.S. horses passed the horse inspection for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team competing in the FEI Nations Cup™ CICO3* at the Great Meadow International, presented by Adequan®. The team consisting of Boyd Martin, Jennie Brannigan, Lynn Symansky and Phillip Dutton will be the third and final team in the order.

“This is a really good team,” says Joanie Morris, acting as Chef d’Equipe. “We’re looking forward to this weekend. It’s always great to come to Great Meadow. The consensus is that the cross-country course is a step up from last year; it’s always interesting to see how these courses evolve. The facility is beautiful and they should be commended for all their efforts. We are really excited to be here and can’t wait to get started!”

Boyd Martin will be the sole U.S. team member competing in dressage on Friday afternoon with the remaining three to go on Saturday.

The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team will compete in the following order:

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) aboard Steady Eddie, a 2003 New Zealand Thoroughbred owned by Denise Lahey, Pierrie Colin, and George and Gretchen Wintersteen. Martin is a two-time Olympic veteran (2012, 2016) and two-time FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) competitor (2010, 2014). He was also a 2015 Pan American Games team gold medalist.

Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) riding Donner, a 2003 Thoroughbred gelding owned by The Donner Syndicate, LLC. Symansky is a 2011 Pan American Games team gold medalist and WEG veteran (2014). She also won the Bromont CIC3* (2014) and was second at the Great Meadow International CIC3* in 2015.

Jennie Brannigan (Reddick, Fla.) on Nina Gardner’s Cambalda, a 2002 Thoroughbred Cross gelding. Brannigan was named as an alternate to the U.S Team for the Pan American Games in 2015 and won the CIC3* at Great Meadow and The Fork that same year.

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) rides anchor on Kristine and John Norton’s I’m Sew Ready, a 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding. Dutton is a six-time Olympic veteran, earning team bronze (2004) and individual bronze (2016) for the U.S. Dutton is a six-time WEG veteran and a two-time Pan American Games team gold medalist (2007, 2015) and individual silver medalist (2007). Dutton has the distinction of winning the Rolex/USEF CCI4* Eventing National Championship a record five times.

Buck Davidson (Unionville, Pa.) originally was scheduled to ride Sherrie Martin and Carl Segal’s Copper Beach, but withdrew in an effort to rest the horse who received stitches last week.

“He’s a super horse and he is sound, but Buck decided to withdraw him to save him for another weekend. It’s just some bad timing for everyone,” said Morris. “Buck will be a great asset for the team this weekend and will be our biggest fan.”

Learn more about the Great Meadow International and catch all the activity live on the USEF Network.

From Classic Communications and the US Equestrian Communications Department

Dressage, Driving, Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping, USEF, Vaulting

US Equestrian Declares Contingent for World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen

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A group of 18 athletes to represent the U.S. across five featured disciplines

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has announced the athletes that will participate in the 2017 World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen, July 14-23, in Aachen, Germany. CHIO Aachen will showcase The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team and Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team in FEI Nations Cup™ action, as well as two additional dressage athlete-and-horse combinations, two eventing athlete-and-horse combinations, four vaulters, and one four-in-hand combined driver in individual competition.

The following athlete-horse combinations will comprise The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team for FEI Nations Cup CDIO5* Aachen led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover:

Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.) with her own and Curt Maes’ Verdades, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding
Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (Haymarket, Va.) with her own and Mary Anne McPhail’s Lonoir, a 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding
Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) with Salvino Partners, LLC’s Salvino, a 2007 Hanoverian stallion
Kasey Perry-Glass (Wellington, Fla.) with Diane Perry’s Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 2003 Warmblood gelding

The following dressage athlete-horse combinations will compete in the Aachen CDI4*:

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) with Patricia Stempel’s Danilo, a 2004 Hanoverian gelding
Arlene “Tuny” Page (Wellington, Fla.) with her own Woodstock, a 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding

The following athletes will make up the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team for FEI Nations Cup CSIO5* Aachen led by Chef D’Equipe Robert Ridland:

Kent Farrington (Wellington, Fla.)
Lauren Hough (Wellington, Fla.)
Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.)
Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.)
McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.)

Nations Cup horses will be named at a later date.

The following eventing athlete-horse combinations will compete as individuals in the Aachen CICO3*:

Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, Va.) with Jacqueline Mars’ RF Demeter, a 2002 Oldenburg mare
Lauren Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) with Team Rebecca, LLC’s Veronica, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood mare

The following combined driving athlete will compete in the Aachen CAIO4*:

Chester Weber (Ocala, Fla.) competing tentatively with Amadeus, Weber’s 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding; Bastiaan, Fritz Grupe’s 2006 KWPN gelding; Boris, Weber’s 2006 KWPN gelding; First Edition, Weber’s 2009 KWPN gelding; and Splash, Jane Clark’s 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding

The following vaulting athletes will compete in the Aachen CVIO4*:

Daniel Janes (Stanwood, Wash.)
Elizabeth Osborn (Menlo Park, Calif.)
Kristian Roberts (Moss Beach, Calif.)
Emily Rose (Santa Cruz, Calif.)

For more information about the 2017 World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen and a schedule of events, visit chioaachen.de.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Dressage, FEI, USEF

US Equestrian Announces US Dressage Team for FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* Hickstead

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Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has named the following athlete-and-horse combinations to The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team for FEI Nations Cup™ CDIO3* Hickstead, July 27-30, in Hickstead, England:

Katherine Bateson-Chandler (Wellington, Fla.) with Jane Clark’s Alcazar, a 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding

Susan Dutta (Wellington, Fla.) with Tim Dutta Inc.’s Currency DC, a 2000 Oldenburg gelding

Chase Hickok (Wellington, Fla.) with Hyperion Farm, Inc.’s Sagacious HF, a 1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding

Charlotte Jorst (Reno, Nev.) with Kastel Denmark’s Kastel’s Nintendo, a 2003 Dutch Warmblood stallion

Robert Dover will serve as the Chef d’Equipe.

Find out more about the event.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Championships, Endurance Riding, FEI, USEF

US Equestrian Names Team for FEI World Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors

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Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has announced the following combinations that will make up the U.S. team at the 2017 FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors in Verona, Italy, September 22-24. The U.S. will be led by Chef d’Equipe Mark Dial.

Katelyn Baldino (Marietta, Ga.) with Synthetic, Melody Blittersdorf’s 2000 Arabian gelding

Eilish Connor (Spring, Texas) with DJB Jolly Roger, Darolyn Butler’s 2002 Arabian gelding

Ragan Kelly (Waco, Texas) with Kharismas Grace, Tracy Kelly’s 2008 Arabian mare

Ainsley Suskey (Iola, Wisc.) with Princess Deelites MHF, Julie Jackson’s 2007 Arabian mare

Annie Whelan (Louisa, Ky.) with Wallace Hill Leo, Amy Wallace-Whelan’s 2004 Half-Arabian gelding

Alternate Horse:

HK Kruizer, Tracy Kelly’s 2005 Arabian gelding

For more information about contributing to and supporting the 2017 team efforts and competition, contact Kristen Brett, director of endurance at kbrett@usef.org.

Find out more about the 2017 FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Eventing/H.T., FEI, USEF

US Equestrian Names US Eventing Team for Great Meadow International CICO3*

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Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has selected the following athlete-and-horse combinations from a group of applicants to represent the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team in the FEI Nations Cup™ CICO3* at the Great Meadow International presented by Adequan, July 7-9, in The Plains, Va.:

Jennie Brannigan (Reddick, Fla.) with Nina Gardner’s Cambalda, a 2002 Thoroughbred Cross gelding

Buck Davidson (Unionville, Pa.) with Sherrie Martin and Carl Segal’s Copper Beach, a 2006 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) with Kristine and John Norton’s I’m Sew Ready, a 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding

Doug Payne (Aiken, S.C.) with Debi Crowley and Doug and Jessica Payne’s Vandiver, a 2004 Trakehner gelding

The following athlete-and-horse combinations have been named alternates for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI Nations Cup CICO3*:

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) with Gretchen and George Wintersteen, Pierre Colin, and Denise Lahey’s Steady Eddie, a 2003 Australian Thoroughbred gelding

Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) with The Donner Syndicate, LLC’s Donner, a 2003 Thoroughbred gelding

Watch the live stream on USEF Network of the Great Meadow International presented by Adequan, beginning Friday, July 7 at 5 p.m. ET. Find out more about event.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Dressage, FEI, USEF

US Equestrian Announces US Dressage Team for FEI Nations Cup CDIO5* Falsterbo

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Falsterbo, Sweden – US Equestrian has named the following combinations to The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team for FEI Nations Cup CDIO5* Falsterbo, July 14-16, in Falsterbo, Sweden. CDIO5* Falsterbo is the fifth leg of the 2017 FEI Nations Cup series, with CDIO5* Aachan, July 19-23, and CDIO5* Hickstead, July 28-30, remaining.  Teams for these events will be announced at a later date.

Chase Hickok (Wellington, Fla.) with Hyperion Farm, Inc.’s Sagacious HF, a 1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding

Charlotte Jorst (Reno, Nev.) with Kastel Denmark’s Kastel’s Nintendo, a 2003 Dutch Warmblood stallion

Mette Rosencrantz (Topanga, Calif.) with her own Marron, a 2000 Danish Warmblood gelding

Find out more about FEI Nations Cup™: CDIO5* Falsterbo.

By US Equestrian Communications Department