WEG Show Jumping: U.S. Show Jumping Team Set to Compete Against the World at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games - by Leah Oliveto

Courtesy USEF

Lexington, KY - The U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games presented their horses to the veterinary panel at the Horse Inspection this morning and proved to be sound and ready to compete. Forty-one countries will be represented over the next week, 27 of which will field teams.


The United States is represented by the veteran team of:
McLain Ward/34/Brewster, NY/Sapphire/15/Belgian Warmblood/M/McLain Ward, Tom Grossman and Blue Chip Bloodstock
Laura Kraut/44/Middleburg, VA/Cedric /12/KWPN/G/Happy Hill Farm
Lauren Hough/32/Wellington, FL/Quick Study/11/French Warmblood/G/Laura and Meredith Mateo
Mario Deslauriers/44/New York, NY/Urico/9/KWPN/G/Jane Forbes Clark

Alternate:
Candice King/40/Wellington, FL/Skara Glen's Davos/10/Zangersheide/G/Skara Glen Stables

Ward and Kraut were both part of the U.S. Teams that took the Gold medal in the 2008 Olympic Games and the Silver medal in the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games. Hough rode on the U.S. Teams that won Gold at the 2003 Pan American Games and Bronze at the 2007 Pan American Games. A former Canadian national, this will be Deslauriers first time representing the U.S. in a World Championships. The team is under the guidance of George Morris, who has been the U.S. Chef d'Equipe since 2005, and the care of Team Veterinarian Dr. Timothy Ober and Equine Physio Janus Marquis.

"The horses all looked wonderful, they are very fit and passed with flying colors," said Morris. "We have very seasoned riders who have had lots of experience with these horses. On paper they look very good, but as always it's the luck of the day, especially in a competition of this quality. The caliber of competition is even higher than at an Olympic Games because there are so many teams. If it's not the quality of the horses, then it will be the quantity that presents a challenge. I am very hopeful going into this week because of how seasoned and familiar our riders are with their horses."

Competition will begin on Monday with the Speed Competition at 10:00 a.m. Parts one and two of the Team Competition will take place on Tuesday beginning at 10:00 a.m. and the Team Final will be held Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Individual Competition will begin Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. and will wrap up with the Rolex Top Four Saturday night at 8:00 p.m.