Tag Archives: Troy Heikes

USEF, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

Heikes on Top in Reining Second Individual Qualifier

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Troy Heikes riding Lil Gun Dunit (Andrea Bonaga Photo)

Caen, France – Adequan U.S. Reining Squad member Troy Heikes (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Lil Gun Dunit, owned by Denise Bixler and Steve Tarani, competed in today’s Second Individual Qualifier and secured a spot in Saturday evening’s Individual Reining Final at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Earning a score of 220, the pair improved on its performance in Monday’s first round. Pleased with his ride, Heikes said, “It was much better than the other day. I kept showing him and he kept getting better and better. I’ve shown for 30 years and have never been nervous; this is a whole new experience representing your country, but it’s so exciting.”

Saturday’s Individual Reining Final will be held at the Caen Exhibition Center starting at 2p.m. ET. All six members of the Adequan U.S. Reining Squad have qualified to compete, and the following combinations will ride to defend the U.S. Individual Gold and Silver medals from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games:

Andrea Fappani (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Silver Spurs Equine’s Custom Cash Advance
Shawn Flarida (Springfield, Ohio) and Michell Kimball’s Spooks Gotta Whiz
Troy Heikes (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Denise Bixler and Steve Tarani’s Lil Gun Dunit
Jordan Larson (Whitesboro, Texas) and Heritage Farm’s HF Mobster
Mandy McCutcheon (Aubrey, Texas) and Tim and Colleen McQuay’s Yellow Jersey
Tom McCutcheon (Aubrey, Texas) and Jennifer Marley’s Dun Git A Nicadual

By Mark Coley

For more information on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, visit: www.normandy2014.com.

Follow the 2014 Adequan U.S. Reining Squad here.

Competitions, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

Six Qualify for Individual Reining Final

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Troy Heikes (USA) and Lil Gun Dunit were the leaders in the second individual Reining qualifier at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (Dirk Caremans/FEI)

Normandy (FRA), 28 August 2014 – Some 23 Reining horse-and-rider combinations came back to the Parc des Expositions in Caen today for the second individual qualifying competition. The top 15 pairs after the first individual qualifier had already earned their ticket to the Final which will be held on Saturday, 30 August, at 20.00 CEST.

Second last to go, Troy Heikes, representing the USA as an individual, walked in aboard Lil Gun Dunit (Colonels Lil Gun x Hollywood Baby Dunit). Riding the eight-year-old stallion, owned by Denise Bixler and Steve Tarani, Heikes was set on making it to the Final and closed his run with a score of 220, the highest of the day.

“In the first qualifier we had a problem in his right circles,” Heikes said. “Today, though he felt really good, we also had one point lead penalty on that side. After that I knew we had to earn it back and he gave me all he had. Though I am not on the US team, I am part of the squad and am really happy with the way my horse went. For me, getting my horse ready for an FEI event is all very new and it has been a great experience,” he pointed out.

Thanks to Heikes’ winning run today, the USA will have all their athletes competing for the individual FEI medals on Saturday.

Canadian Cody Sapergia riding Nu Chexomatic (Nu Chex To Cash x Tejons Texie Lena), owned by Jac Point Quarter Horses of Austria, set a high standard after scoring 219. He was fifth to ride and managed to put his opponents under pressure.

“Today my horse was much better than on the first day and, even though there are still a couple of things we need to fix, I am confident he will do well in the Final,” a satisfied Sapergia explained.

Non-professional rider Josh Collins (GBR) posted the third highest score of the day (218). The 24-year-old rode Spook A Little (Smart Spook x Jessie Wright On) earning a spot in the Final.

“Being able to represent my country here has been my dream and my goal since the beginning of the year,” he commented. “My horse was amazing today and I am very proud of being in the individual Final.”

Also making their way to the prestigious competition, where the FEI individual medals will be awarded, are Stefano Ferri (ITA) and Rooster Nic on 217 as well as Paolo Koury Neto (BRA) with Don’t Whiz WRB and Romuald Poard (FRA) with Peppys Ruf who tied for fifth place on 216.5.

The complete results of today’s competition are available here.

By Simona Diale

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) on 23 August – 7 September brings together close to 1,000 riders and 1,000 horses from 74 nations for 15 days of world-class competition in Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.

For more information, see: www.normandy2014.com.

History Hub

The FEI World Equestrian Games™ are held every four years in the middle of the Olympic and Paralympic cycle. They were first hosted in Stockholm (SWE) in 1990 and have since been staged in The Hague (NED) in 1994, Rome (ITA) in 1998, Jerez (ESP) in 2002, and Aachen (GER) in 2006. The first Games to be organised outside Europe were the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) 2010.

Visit the FEI History Hub here.

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Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 Organising Committee:

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Press Officer
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