Laura Graves and Verdades (Photo courtesy of Susan J Stickle)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (September 6, 2016) — The United States Dressage Team rode its way to a spot on the medal-winning podium at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All four team members used Neue Schule bits to help bring home the Bronze. Neue Schule Ambassadors Laura Graves, Steffen Peters, and Allison Brock teamed up with Kasey Perry-Glass to win the USA its first Olympic dressage medal since 2004.
Neue Schule Ambassador Laura Graves’ personal best score of 80.644 percent in the Grand Prix on her own Verdades, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding, cinched the United States’ claim on the Team Bronze medal. Then, in the Grand Prix Freestyle, she finished just under the individual medalists with a jaw-dropping 85.196 percent to place fourth. Graves relies on Neue Schule bits to keep “Diddy” comfortable in the bridle after an accident as a youngster left him with a broken jaw.
Olympic veteran and Neue Schule Ambassador Steffen Peters competed on Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92, a 14-year-old Westphalian gelding. With solid rides throughout the competition, Peters created depth on the team in his fourth Olympic Games and qualified to compete in the Olympic Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle.
Olympic first-timers, Neue Schule Ambassador Allison Brock and Rosevelt, a 14-year-old Hanoverian stallion owned by Claudine and Fritz Kundrun, served as the team’s lead-off pair during both days of the team competition. Their impressive rides in the team competitions also qualified them to show in the individual Grand Prix Freestyle.
Neue Schule, the Official Bit of the United States Equestrian Federation, has been supporting top riders in multiple disciplines for many years and is thrilled to have been a part of the Bronze-winning 2016 U.S. Olympic Dressage Team. The Neue Schule Ambassadors are prime examples of the success that can be achieved through effective communication between horse and rider with the help of Neue Schule bits. With thoughtful and innovative bit designs tailored to the horses’ comfort, Neue Schule helps riders achieve soft and effective communication with their horses.
Neue Schule bits can be found in tack stores and at horse shows across the U.S., including top competition venues like the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and the Colorado Horse Park. To find which bit is best for your horse, go to www.BitByBitUSA.com for descriptions and educational YouTube videos. For advanced bitting knowledge, educational opportunities are also available through the Neue Schule Bitting Academy, an online bitting school. The Academy teaches individuals about bitting history, design, and functionality thorough beginner, intermediate, and advanced online courses.
To learn more about Neue Schule bits and Metlar Premium Performance Saddlery, their North American distributor, visit www.BitByBitUSA.com. You can also like Neue Schule on Facebook or follow the company on Instagram.
Contact: Ginny Pagano
Metlar – Neue Schule Bits
631-252-5574
ginny@metlar-us.com