Danielle Goldstein competing in the Outdoor Gelderland/Arnhem Grand Prix 3*. (Photo courtesy of Ilfat Zohar Photography)
Wellington, FL (June 21, 2013) – Show jumper Danielle Goldstein of Starwyn Farms, LLC, has ignited her first European tour. Less than a month after wowing audiences in Tel Aviv with a clinic for young adults interested in riding and horse care at the Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association, the red-hot Wellington, FL rider made the top ten – finishing eighth overall – in the Outdoor Gelderland/Arnhem Grand Prix 3*.
Logging miles and experience as she continues her quest to become the first female Israeli citizen to represent the nation in Olympic show jumping, Goldstein sees her Holland performance as clinching her confidence in her horses and in gaining recognition for Israeli riders.
“We were not only clear in the Grand Prix, but also in the Grand Prix qualifier, so we were clear in two world-ranking classes at one show. We are going for consistency, so it is a solid first showing for a European tour, and is helping raise awareness that we have Israeli riders capable of competing at this level and ready and willing to form a team,” Goldstein said.
Of even greater significance is Goldstein’s announcement that she has been invited to ride with the Israeli team at this summer’s largest sporting event of the year, the 19th annual Maccabiah Games, July 18-30, in Israel.
“I am thrilled to be in the Maccabiah Games. I have been working to get on the team since last year so it was wonderful news to hear that I will be eligible to compete. This will be the first time I get to represent Israel – in Israel — so that is a major accomplishment and hopefully, the first of many times.
“The Maccabiah have great significance in Israel and within the Jewish world because it brings together people from the diaspora back to the homeland. Sports help to unify not only people within in Israel but Jewish people around the world — it is a wonderful event that my family and I have supported. My uncle once competed in Squash, so it’s nice to continue the family tradition.“
For Goldstein, the Games will prove the ultimate catch-ride: “The Israeli riders get to ride one of their own horses, and provide a ‘loaner horse’ to team members from other countries. I will be loaned both, from two very generous girls in Israel who have offered me their horses.”
She’s also got a team to meet. “I know a few riders on other Maccabiah teams: Darren Finkleman, Alexa Perkiel from the US and Alberto Michan from Mexico, but none for the Israeli team so I am looking forward to meeting my teammates!”
The Games, the entrepreneurial equestrian continues, “will act as a wonderful platform to help further my goals for Equestrian sports in and out of Israel. It will help create awareness about the growing sport and hopefully attract new members and supporters.”
The star of Starwyn Farms plans to return to Isreal in mid-July, and remain there through the duration of the Maccabiah Games. “Although Holland wasn’t a first-place, it was a really great result, which got a huge amount of awareness for me and Israel. It has opened opportunities at even higher-level shows and has a lot of people interested in the team.” She is determined this year to build Israel’s first Nations Cup team.
While founding and managing Starwyn Farms, Goldstein has also developed the International Equestrian Education series (IEE) for young riders, adult amateurs, and others seeking to increase their skills by learning from top professionals, and offers scholarships to high school students to encourage enrollment.
For more information about Starwyn Farm or Danielle Goldstein, please call 917-544-3349 or email dani.goldstein@gmail.com.
Contact: Danielle Goldstein
Starwyn Farms, LLC
Dani.goldstein@gmail.com
(917) 544 3349