October 9, 2011–The United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) delegation packs up and begins to head South of the Border next week – get ready Guadalajara. Dressage lands first on October 11. Eventing follows on the 15th and Jumping comes in on the 21st. Equestrian is represented by 14 athletes who make up 627 athletes heading to Mexico to represent the United States. Of the 79 Olympians represented in the entire U.S. Team – three are from the sport of equestrian.
This delegation includes (in alphabetical order within each group):
14 horses (3 mares and 11 geldings; 8 bay or brown, 3 chestnut and 3 grey)
Dressage: Big Tyme, Grandioso, Paragon, Weltino’s Magic
Eventing: Absolute Liberty, Ballingowan Pizazz, Downtown Harrison, Harbour Pilot, Schoensgreen Hanni
Jumping: Antares F, Coral Reef’s Via Volo, Romantovich Take One, Uceko, Urico (reserve)
14 riders from eight states: (CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, NJ, NY, VA)
Dressage: Heather Blitz, Marisa Festerling, Cesar Parra, Steffen Peters
Eventing: Hannah Sue Burnett, Buck Davidson, Jonathan Holling, Shannon Lilley, Michael Pollard
Jumping: Mario Deslauriers (reserve,) Kent Farrington, Beezie Madden, Christine McCrea, McLain Ward
Supported by 12 Groups of Owners:
Jane Forbes Clark, Coral Reef Ranch, Michael and Sarah Davis, Grant Road Partners LLC, Jen and Bruce Hlavacek, Constance Holling, The Lilley Group, Jacqueline Mars, Nathalie Pollard, RCG Farm, Sharon Will and Windsor Show Stables (Heather Blitz and Marisa Festerling own their own horses)
16 Grooms:
Genna and Juan Arrango (Romantovich Take One), Kate Chitty (Absolute Liberty), Cat Hill (Ballingowan Pizzaz), Eddie Garcia Luna (Weltino’s Magic), Jennifer Mandracia (Grandioso), Lee McKeever (Antares F), Sara McKenna (Harbour Pilot), Hannah Michaels (Paragon), Joy Montgomery (Urico – reserve), Alex O’Neal (Downtown Harrison), Diane Puopolo (Antares F), Clark Shipley (Coral Reef Via Volo), Katie Thornton (Schoensgreen Hanni), Alex Warriner (Uceko), Caitlin Zacha (Big Tyme)
18 staff members (10 men, 8 women)
3 Chefs d’Equipe:
George Morris (jumping), Capt. Mark Phillips (eventing), Eva Salomon (dressage)
3 Team Leaders:
Lizzy Chesson (jumping), Sara Ike (eventing), Jenny van Wieren-Page (dressage)
3 Veterinarians:
Dr. Brendan Furlong (eventing), Dr. Rick Mitchell (dressage), Dr. Tim Ober (jumping)
2 Physiotherapists:
Angie Cooney, Janus Marquis
2 Farriers:
Todd Meister, Steve Teichman
1 Technical Advisor:
Anne Gribbons (dressage)
1 CEO:
John Long
1 Chef d’Mission:
James Wolf
1 Office Manager Extraordinaire:
Christy Baxter
1 Stable Manager:
Doug Manager
1 Press Officer:
Joanie Morris
There will be lots more from Mexico over the next three weeks. Please follow us on Twitter @USEquestrianHP for up-to-the minute updates and check regularly for photos, interviews, press releases, video and blogs.
Equestrian competition runs from October 15-29, 2011. Please visit here for more information about the Games.
