Equine enthusiasts across the country are anxiously awaiting the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which will be held in Lexington, Kentucky beginning in September. This is THE equestrian event of the year and top riders are vying for spots on teams for various disciplines that will represent the United States. Yesterday, the US reining team for the World Equestrian Games was announced.
The inaugural Battle in the Saddle was held last week, July 5-10 in Oklahoma City. Aong with events for reining, working cow horse, roping, cutting and ranch horse, the competition included the Adequan/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Open Reining Championship, the official qualifying event for the U.S reining team selection for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
The gold medal in the event, and a spot on the US reining team, went to Shawn Flarida riding RC Fancy Step, who had scores of 223 and 223.5. Silver medal winner Tom McCutcheon on Gunners Special Nite and bronze medal winner Craig Schmersal riding Boom Shernic, also earned spots on the US World Equestrian Games reining team. Fourth place finisher Tim McQuay and Hollywoodtinseltown will round out the team for Kentucky. The alternate for the U.S. reining team is Casey Deary with mount Rootin Tootin Duni. Jeff Petska will reprise his role as chef d-equipe.
Three of the 2010 reining team members are no strangers to the World Equestrian Games. Flarida, McCutcheon and Schmersal qualified for the reining team that took gold at the 2002 World Equestrian Games that were held in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. Flarida also won an individual gold and McCutcheon won individual silver. McQuay was a member of the team for the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. He won team gold and individual silver.
With experience like this on the U.S. reining team, it’s safe to expect that the U.S. will be in contention for top medal positions during the 2010 Games. If you haven’t made your plans to travel from Sacramento to Lexington for all or part of the World Equestrian Games, there’s still time to purchase tickets. Visit http://www.alltechfeigames.com/ for more information.
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