Saturday, May 28, 2011

U.S. Second in Young Rider Nations Cup at CSIOY Reims

From the USEF Communications Department
Reims, France - The USEF European Young Rider Tour continued its successful trip through Europe with another second-place finish in the Nations Cup at CSIOY Reims. Runners-up in Belgium the previous weekend, the Young Riders continued their successful European effort.

Catherine Pasmore led off the U.S. team, rebounding from a 13-fault first round on My Boy to improve to eight faults in round two. Karen Polle rode With Wings in the second position to a six-fault effort in the first round but only picked up one time fault in round two. Reed Kessler had the best result, jumping two double clear rounds on Onisha which kept the momentum going and then Jessica Springsteen picked up a time fault in each round - but also added a rail in the second round on Vornado van den Hoendrik. The 16-fault effort left the team second behind the Netherlands who finished on nine faults.

Katie Prudent served as Chef d'Equipe.

Thursday was an extremely successful day for the U.S. riders in preparation for the Nations Cup. Catherine Pasmore won convincingly on Van David in CSIO YR PX Conseil General de la Marne over her two teammates, Karen Polle on With Wings, who was second, and Jessica Springsteen on Cincinatti La Silla who was third. Reed Kessler and Onisha finished seventh, Richard Neal on Transmission was ninth and Pasmore was 10th on her second horse My Boy.

In the CSIO Juniors 1.25m Meg O'Mara was third with Smeagle.

Jumping continues throughout the weekend.

USEF Accepting Bids to Host the 2012 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials - By USEF Dressage Department

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is accepting bids to host the 2012 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials.

The Young Horse Selection Trials historically have taken place in May and June in three different regions of the country. These trials -- for 5- and 6-year-olds -- are an opportunity for horse and rider to qualify for the FEI World Breeding Championships. They also serve as an opportunity for athletes to qualify for the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships.

The Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program promotes the importance of selective breeding and correct training of horses in the United States, and encourages participation of breeders, riders and trainers of young horses in dressage competition. The purposes of this program are to encourage the properly structured development of young dressage prospects through the training scale, to identify and recognize outstanding talent and the training of international-caliber horses, and to prepare these horses for future careers at the FEI level and participation on U.S. High Performance teams.

If you are interested in bidding on one of the Selection Trials, please submit your letter of intent to USEF no later than June 17, 2011. Send bids to Jeannie Blancq, USEF Director of National Dressage, at jblancq@usef.org or by fax to (859) 231-6662.