Eventing Trials
Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511
The USEF has named the following horse/rider combinations to the 2008 US Olympic Team in Eventing. These five combinations will represent the United States at the 2008 Olympic Games, the Equestrian portion of which will be held in Hong Kong, beginning on August 8.
Rider/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Breed/Sex/Owner (in alphabetical order):
- Phillip Dutton/44/West Grove, PA/Connaught/15/Irish Sport Horse/G/Bruce Duchossois
- Becky Holder/39/Mendota Heights, MN/Courageous Comet/12/Thoroughbred/G/Becky and Thomas Holder, Jr.
- Gina Miles/34/Creston, CA/McKinlaigh/14/Irish Sport Horse/Gina Miles, Laura Coats and Thomas Schulz
- Amy Tryon/38/Duvall, WA/Poggio II/16/Thoroughbred/G/Amy and Greg Tryon and Mark Hart
- Heidi White/42/Aiken, SC/Northern Spy/15/English Thoroughbred/G/Heidi White
Replacements in alphabetical order:
- Bruce Davidson, Jr./32/ Ocala, FL/BallyNoe Castle RM/8/Irish Thoroughbred/G/Carl and Cassandra Segal
- Phillip Dutton/44/WestGrove, PA/Woodburn/13/Thoroughbred/G/Acorn Hill Farm
- Bonnie Mosser/45/Unionville, PA/Merloch/11/New Zealand Thoroughbred Cross/G/Bonnie Mosser and Margaret Egan
- Karen O'Connor/50/The Plains, VA/Mandiba/9/Irish Thoroughbred/G/Joan Goswell
The horses in the U.S. will ship to England on July 17 where they will join McKinlaigh, Poggio and Mandiba. These horses will enter quarantine on July 22, 2008 and ship to Hong Kong for the Olympic Games on July 30.
In order to name the 2008 US Eventing Short List, the Selectors' evaluated horses on the following factors: the overall performance and soundness of the horse/rider combination in 2007/2008 CCI***s, CCI****s and other specified competitions designated as Selection Trials as well as the USEF Selection Division. One of these specified competitions was Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event held at the Kentucky Horse Park and the only CCI**** in the United States. The Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event plays a large role in preparation for the Olympics. The Selectors emphasis is on dressage scores, fitness, jumping without faults, boldness, rideability, and speed and previous international experience of the horse/rider combination. This includes the demonstrated ability of the horse/rider combination to succeed in Eventing competitions; and the prospect of the horse/rider combination to win an individual medal or contribute to a team medal at the 2008 Olympic Games Eventing competition.
The US Eventing Short list for the 2008 Olympic Games is comprised of the following horse/rider combinations:
- Stephen Bradley / Brandenburg’s Joshua
- Bruce Davidson, Jr. / BallyNoe Castle RM
- Phillip Dutton / Connaught
- Phillip Dutton / Woodburn
- Will Faudree / Antigua
- Becky Holder / Courageous Comet
- Gina Miles / McKinlaigh
- Clark Montgomery / Up Spirit
- Bonnie Mosser / Merloch
- Karen O’Connor / Leyland
- Kim Severson / Tipperary Liadhnan
- Amy Tryon / Leyland
- Amy Tryon / Poggio II
- Heidi White / Northern Spy
- Jennifer Wooten / The Good Witch
All short listed horse/rider combinations must compete at one of two Mandatory Outings. The UK based horses will compete at the Barbury Castle Horse Trials CCI*** on July 3rd – 6th. The US based horses will compete at a Mandatory Outing at the Fork Stables on July 11th – 12th. Team selection will follow the completion of the second Mandatory Outing and will be based on performance during international competition and the selection trials. The Team and alternates will be announced on July 15th.