Endurance

Endurance

The U.S. Endurance Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games The horse-and-athlete combinations have named to the U.S. Endurance Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and are in alphabetical order. The alternates are in ranked order.

The endurance competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will take place August 28, 2014 at the Bay of Mont Saint Michel in Sartilly, France.

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Endurance - Team won the CEI3* to end their 2011 season.

She had another solid year in 2012. At the USA Team Trial Race, Olson and SA Belshazzar finished ninth out of 45 in the CEI3* race. She then rode Noslo’s Harley Rally to the win in the CEI1* at the Zone Team Endurance Challenge.

In 2013, Olson won the FITS CEI3* race riding Hot Desert Knight. Later that year, the pair placed second in the CEI3* Zone Team Endurance Challenge. With Noslo’s Ready to Run, Olson won the Sand Hills Stampede race. Olson finished her season with a fourth-place finish in the NJTRA Mustang Memorial CEI1* with Noslo’s Selket Da Yankee.

Olson has been on top form in 2014, kicking the year off with a win at FITS on Noslo’s Sand Dancer.

She is married to fellow endurance competitor Jeremy Olson.

Photo Credit: Becky Pearman Photography

Ellen Olson

Born: July 19, 1982 Residence: La Motte, Iowa Hot Desert Knight – 2000 Arabian gelding owned

by Farzad Faryadi Ellen Olson is an accomplished endurance rider. She rode Berjo Smokey, a very competitive horse known for his excellent recoveries, in the 2009 competition season.

They were second in the CEI1* at the Goethe Challenge. In October, they placed second in the Kentucky Cup Endurance Ride held in Lexington, Ky. In February 2010, Olson represented the U.S. at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Al Wathba President’s Cup in the United Arab Emirates. In the UAE, she and SA Belshazzar finished 41st out of 106 competitors.

In 2011, Olson had an amazing showing at the Fort Howe Endurance Ride in June, finishing second in the CEI2* on SA Belshazzar and winning the CEI1* on Guesswhozgotitall.

At the Goethe Benefit Challenge, Olson and SA Belshazzar 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Endurance - Team she rode Aleclipse to a Pan American Endurance Championship Individual Silver medal.

In the past 10 years, Reynolds has earned numerous CEI3* wins along with many top finishes. She was a member of the U.S. team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, as well as a team rider for the 2012 World Endurance Championship in the UK, helping the U.S. to a fourth-place team finish.

In 2013, Reynolds started the year with a win in the Broxton Bridge Fundraiser CEI1* on RR Kings Gold. At the Shine and Shine Only CEI1*, she and RR Surprise Moment were second. The pair then came in third in the Almanor Hustle CEI2*. Reynolds ended the year with a win aboard Chanses in the New Mexico Desert Classic CEI3*.

2014 has been a good year for Reynolds, beginning with a win in the Broxton Bridge Fundraiser CEI3* aboard Chanses. She continued her winning ways at the Biltmore Challenge, taking top honors in the CEI2* with Stirgess and Photo Credit: Becky Pearman Photography

Heather Reynolds Born: August 4, 1977 Residence: Dunnellon, Fla.

Chanses – 2005 Arabian gelding owned by the rider Heather Reynolds began riding at age 11 as a junior, getting her start in endurance. Since then, she has earned over 18,000 endurance miles to her name, including numerous top wins. Based in Dunnellon, Fla., she operates Reynolds Racing, a training, coaching, and consulting business, out of her home alongside her husband and fellow endurance competitor, Jeremy Reynolds.

In 1999, Reynolds was awarded the Haggin Cup, having the best conditioned horse after the completion of the Tevis Cup, an award she would receive again after winning the prestigious race in 2003 aboard Master Motion.

Competing in the 2001 Pan American Endurance Championship, Reynolds won the Gold medal as well as the Best Conditioned Award aboard Crystals Charm. Two years later,

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in the CEI1* with RR Opening Act. She added a second Tevis Cup win to her resume this summer aboard French Open.

Endurance - Team Desert Gold CEI3*.

Reynolds started 2011 off with a victory, winning the CEI1* at the Shine and Shine Only race. He then piloted Stirgess to a third-place finish in the Fort Howes Endurance Ride CEI2*. A Kutt Above would get the call at the next CEI event and the pair would finish second in the CEI3* at the Patriots Day at Lake Almanor. Reynolds got his first CEI victory of the year in September when he won the CEI3* at the North American Endurance Team Challenge aboard A Kutt Above.

His last race of the year resulted in a third-place finish in the CEI1* with Chanses at the Goethe Benefit Challenge.

In 2012, Reynolds started off with a second-place finish in the CEI2* at the Dupuis Piney Pig ride on A Kutt Above. He went on to finish fourth in the CEI2* and third in the CEI1* race at the FITS event with Riverwatch and Cleopatrah. His first victory of the year would be a big one as he beat 44 other competitors in the CEI3* race at the 2012 Team Trial Race on A Kutt Above. The victory was followed by a secPhoto Credit: Becky Pearman Photography

Jeremy Reynolds Born: January 16, 1980 Residence: Dunnellon, Fla.

RR Gold Dust Rising – 2006 Arabian gelding owned by the rider Jeremy Reynolds is an active endurance competitor based in Dunnellon, Fla. Not only does Reynolds compete in endurance rides around the globe, but he is also a farrier.

In 2010, Reynolds won the Git-R-Done I CEI2* with Makazin. With Sir Smith, Reynolds represented the U.S. at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Al Wathba President’s Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The pair placed a credible 37th out of 106 competitors. Upon returning from the UAE, the pair won the CEI3* at the Git-R-Done II race. Next, Reynolds rode TA Tiran to victory in the Shine and Shine Only CEI2*. His winning streak wouldn’t end there, as he rode A Kutt Above

ond-place finish at the CEI3* ride at the Biltmore Challenge on Stirgess. Reynolds was named to the U.S. Squad for the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championships with his mount, A Kutt Above, and helped the team to a fourth-place finish.

Reynolds had strong performances throughout the 2013 season. At Almanor Hustle, he and RR Gold Dust Rising were second in the CEI2*. He then had a second-place finish in the CEI1* at the New Mexico Desert Classic with RR Sansational Shai. Reynolds scored a win in the North American Endurance Team Challenge CEI3* with RR Gold Dust Rising.

He began 2014 with wins at the Broxton Bridge Fundraisers in the CEI2* and CEI1* with Kowboy KS and RR Most Likely, respectively. At the FITS event, he came in second with Stirgess in the CEI1*. Reynolds then collected a secondplace finishes in the CEI3* with RR An Honest Crook and the CEI2* with RR Most Likely at the Biltmore Challenge.

Reynolds is married to fellow endurance competitor, Heather Reynolds. Together they run Reynolds Racing, a training, coaching, and consulting business out of their home.

to the win in the CEI3* at the Patriots Day at Lake Almanor race. Reynolds ended the year with first- and fifth-place finishes on Sir Smith and Dreamerchant, respectively, in the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Endurance - Team finish in fourth place.

She also won Team and Individual Gold at the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North riding My Wild Irish Gold.

Russell rode Destiny Gold to the CEIYJ2* win at Dupuis Piney Pig to kick off the 2012 season. She continued her winning ways at FITS, where she won the CEIYJ2* with AF Big Bucks and the CEIYJ1* with My Wild Irish Gold. Russell ended her year with another win in the CEIYJ1* with Just Gold.

In 2014, Russell and My Wild Irish Gold placed third in the CEI3* at the North American Endurance Team Challenge.

She then rode Genuwine Gold to top honors in the CEIYJ1* at Berwick.

Outside of endurance, Russell is also an avid barrel racer and participates in pole bending. The college sophomore also competes in western pleasure classes to complete Photo Credit: Becky Pearman Photography

Kelsey Russell Born: October 23, 1995 Residence: Williston, Fla.

My Wild Irish Gold – 2003 Anglo Arab mare owned by Valerie Kanavy Kelsey Russell got her start in the sport of endurance in 2008 when she looked after U.S. team veteran Valerie Kanavy’s horses over the summer in exchange for being able to turn out two of her own horses on Kanavy’s property. The following winter, Russell began training with Kanavy, making her competitive debut soon after. The young rider has quickly made a name for herself in endurance, earning many top finishes for the United States.

Russell has secured top finishes at the FEI Junior and Young Rider Endurance World Championships in 2011 and 2013, earning sixth and fifth, respectively, which is only fitting as these are the best American finishes at an Endurance World Championship since Kanavy claimed a Gold medal in 1998. Russell’s finish in 2011 helped the U.S. team

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her well-rounded equestrian resume. Russell, who considers her favorite part of endurance to be the connection between horse and rider, looks to stay involved in the equestrian world and help horses by becoming a veterinarian.

Endurance - Team their first 100-mile ride at Old Dominion in 1989. Sleeper has raised many of the horses she has competed, and are relatives of Chaucer.

Sleeper was on the U.S. East Gold medal team in the 2001 Pan American Endurance Championship, where she was seventh individually. She has competed twice in the prestigious endurance ride in Dubai in 2001 on Syrocco Troilus and in 2002 on Syrocco Blair.

In 2006, Sleeper was 22nd at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, and the second fastest U.S. rider. She finished first individually in the 2007 Zone Team Endurance Challenge (ZTEC), and her horse Syrocco Troilus also won the Best Conditioned Award and helped earn the Team Gold.

She was a member of the 2008 U.S. team in Malaysia on Syrocco Reveille, and was a member of the Gold medal-winning U.S. East team at the 2009 North American Endurance Challenge in Lexington, Ky., where she was sixth Photo Credit: Merri Melde

Dr. Margaret Sleeper

Born: December 16, 1967 Residence: Frenchtown, N.J. Syrocco Reveille – 2000 Arabian mare owned by the rider Dr. Margaret “Meg” Sleeper began riding as a child, when she received riding lessons for Christmas. Her father bought her a horse the following year, an Appaloosa named Tecumseh. After that she never looked back, completing her first competitive trail ride, a 30-mile race with “Tummy” in 1980.

A few years later, Sleeper and her dad were at an auction to raise money for Blair Academy, where one of the alumni had donated a two-year-old Half-Arabian. After winning the bidding, they left with the untrained young horse who they named Chaucer. Sleeper and Chaucer would learn together and began taking part in endurance rides in 1986. They did

individually on Syrocco Harmony. Also in 2009, Sleeper was first in the FEI Vermont 100-mile ride and won Best Conditioned on Syrocco Gabriel.

In 2010, Sleeper won the FITS CEI3* 160 KM race with Syrocco Reveille, who also won the Best Conditioned Award. She then traveled to New Lowell, Ontario, and came in fourth in the CEI3* 160 KM race with Syrocco Cadence.

Sleeper finished up the year by being part of the U.S. team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

In her first race of 2011, Sleeper finished second at the Dupuis Piney Pig CEI3* 160 KM race with Syrocco Reveille.

She then won the FITS CEI1* 80 KM race with Syrocco Cadence, and finished fifth in the CEI3* 160 KM race with Syrocco Harmony. Sleeper and Syrocco Cadence finished second at the Biltmore Challenge in the CEI3* 160 KM race.

She then scored a win at the Fort Howes Endurance Ride in the CEI1* 80 KM with Syrocco Harmony, as well as finishing third in the CEI3* 160 KM race on Syrocco Reveille.

At that year’s North American Endurance Team Challenge, Sleeper finished second out of 43 against some of the best riders on the continent in the CEI3* 160 KM race.

To round off the year, she finished first in the NJTRA Mustang Memorial CEI1* 80 KM race with Syrocco Harmony and second in the Goethe Benefit Challenge CEI2* 120 KM race with Syrocco Reveille.

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Endurance - Team In 2012, Sleeper and Syrocco Reveille finished 16th in the CEI3* 160 KM USA Team Trial Race. She then had a sixthplace finish with Syrocco Rabia in the CEI1* 80KM race at Foxcatcher. Sleeper then represented the U.S. in the FEI World Endurance Championship, finishing 11th individually aboard Syrocco Reveille and aiding the team to a fourthplace finish.

Sleeper kicked off 2013 with a second-place finish at FITS in the CEI3* 160 KM race with Syrocco Harmony. She then participated in the 2013 CEI2* test event for the 2014 Alltech/FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, gaining valuable experience over the Mont Saint Michel terrain. Later that year, she added another CEI3* win to her resume aboard Syrocco Cadence in Berwick, Canada.

In 2014, Sleeper is in good form, having finished third in the FITS CEI3* 160 KM race with Syrocco Cadence.

Outside of endurance, Sleeper is a veterinary cardiologist working at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Because of her busy schedule, Sleeper’s husband, Dave Augustine, does the majority of the conditioning and preparation of the horses for their competitions.

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Endurance - Alternate Also in 2009, Olson and Belshazzar completed the Kentucky Cup, a test event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, in monsoon-like conditions.

Olson placed in two CEI1* events in 2011 with two different horses. In June, he rode Hadban USA to a fifth-place finish at the Fort Howes Endurance Ride CEI1*. Olson’s second placing came in November when he piloted Noslo’s Banjara to an eighth-place finish at the NJTRA Mustang Memorial CEI1*.

In 2012, Olson and Bound for Honor rode to a secondplace finish in the FITS CEI1*. He then finished second Noslo’s Echo Extreme in the Goethe Benefit Challenge CEI1*.

Olson had several top placings in 2013. At the Broxton Bridge Fundraiser, he and Noslo’s Echo Extreme were third in the CEI2*. The pair was then won the FITS CEI2*. With Noslo’s Mesozoic, Olson came in third in the Zone Team Endurance Challenge CEI1*. The pair then brought home Photo Credit: Becky Pearman Photography

Jeremy Olson

Born: April 15, 1975 Residence: La Motte, Iowa

top honors in the Sand Hills Stampede CEI2*.

In 2014, Olson had a second-place finish in the Broxton Bridge Fundraiser CEI3* riding Wallace Hill Shade. He then scored a win in the CEI1* at the Zone Team Endurance Challenge with Noslo’s RRenaldo.

Wallace Hill Shade - 2002 Half-Arabian gelding owned by Jeremy Olson and Amy WallaceWhelan For Jeremy Olson, the sport of endurance was a family affair growing up. Olson’s father began taking part in endurance rides in 1978. Four years later, a seven-year-old Jeremy took part in his first 50-mile ride. Olson’s mother and sister also were active competitors.

Olson has found recent success with SA Belshazzar.

This horse represented the U.S. at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Al Wathba President’s Cup in the United Arab Emirates with Ellen Olson in the irons.

With Olson, Belshazzar was third in the CEI1* at the Goethe Challenge in December of 2008. They also won the CEI2* at the Florida Horse Park Gallop on the Greenway in January 2009.

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Endurance - Alternate over the reins of her World Championship mount to her daughter, Danielle.

Kanavy won the 1998 World Endurance Championship in the United Arab Emirates with a thrilling gallop to the finish.

At the 2000 Bayer/United States Equestrian Team (USET) Festival of Champions, Kanavy rode to a third-place finish in the Sooner Trailer/USET 50-Mile Endurance Championship, finishing behind one of her own horses, Bearcat O’Reilly, ridden by winner Kristen Snook. She came back the next year to win the USET Championship, and repeated that title at the 75-mile distance in 2002.

Valerie has had success in recent years with a number of different horses. With Gold Raven, Kanavy won the FEI ride at the Goethe Challenge in December of 2008. With King Ali Gold, Valerie had two wins in the 2008 season. They won at the New Years in New Mexico competition and the CEI3* Open at Fort Howes.

At the 2009 Biltmore Challenge Kanavy and her own Photo Credit: Becky Pearman Photography

Valerie Kanavy Born: July 9, 1946 Residence: Fort Valley, Va.

Just Gold – 2005 Arabian gelding owned by Valerie Kanavy The eldest of six children, 1994 and 1998 World Endurance Champion Valerie Kanavy was the only family member with an interest in horses. Although her parents supported her desire to ride, they couldn’t afford to buy her a horse, so she did it herself. At age 11, she got her first horse for $150.

Kanavy began competitive endurance riding in 1972 after reading an article about the Tevis Cup in California. Since then, she’s ridden to the top echelon of her field. Kanavy’s 1994 World Championship horse, Pieraz (nicknamed “Cash”), was purchased through a classified ad for $500.

At the 1994 FEI World Equestrian Games in The Netherlands, Kanavy and “Cash” earned the Individual Gold and Best Conditioned Award. In 1996, Kanavy opted not to defend her World Championship title. She instead handed

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Spectacular Gold won the AERC Open 100. Kanavy and LM Parys won the CEI2* 120 KM race at Coast Creek New Lowell CEI event in Canada.

Kanavy began 2010 with a fourth-place finish on King Ali Gold at FITS in the CEI3* 160 KM race. A month later, she placed third in the CEI2* 120 KM ride at the Biltmore Challenge with Destiny Gold. Her first win of the season came in July when she would finish first in the CEI1* 80 KM race in New Lowell, Canada, on Tuff Enough FA. Kanavy then traveled overseas for the late summer and fall, earning a fifth-place finish in the CEI3* 160 KM race at the CEI3* Florac in France.

Kanavy started 2011 on a winning note, winning the Dupuis Piney Pig CEI3* on her own Gold Raven. She then finished in second place in the FITS CEI3* 160 KM race with Destiny Gold. Kanavy picked up her second victory on Reach For the Gold at the Biltmore Challenge CEI2* 120 KM race, which would start a string of top placings for the rider and her horses. Next up, she crossed the border and finished second in the CEI2* 120KM race in Millbrook, Ontario, before traveling to the Big Sky State to win the CEI3* 160 KM race at Fort Howes. The 2011 Endurance Pan American Games in Chile was Kanavy’s final ride of the year and she went out on a high note, finishing third individually and earning the second-place team honors with the U.S. team.

Endurance - Alternate Kanavy repeated her victory at Dupuis Piney Pig to kick off 2012, winning the CEI3* 160 KM race on LM Parys. In July, Kanavy and her mount, Reach For the Gold, were members of the U.S. Endurance Team for the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championships, helping the U.S. team to a fourth-place finish.

2014 started strong for Kavavy with a fourth-place finish in the North American Endurance Team Challenge aboard Just Gold. At the Biltmore Challenge, she rode AM Mysterious Mopsa to second place in the CEI2* 120 KM race.

Kanavy then picked up a win in the CEI2* 120 KM race in Berwick, Ontario with Just Gold.

In addition to being a top competitor, Kanavy gives back to her sport through organizing and managing competitive rides. She has attracted riders from the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and Europe, as well as the best from the U.S. and Canada. Kanavy and her husband, Larry, also own and operate Trev-Dan Building Supply Co., in Chester Springs, Pa. They have three children.

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Endurance - Staff Silver and Senior Team Silver medals. In 2011, Ross became the Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Endurance Team.

Not only has he played an integral role in endurance riding, but Ross has also played an important part in the major equestrian competitions. In 1984, Ross was the Sports Manager (COO) of the Equestrian Events at the Los Angeles Olympics, and, 12 years later, he was the Chief Adviser for the Equestrian Events at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. For the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Ross was the Director/Manager of the endurance event.

Photo Credit: Geoff Bugbee

Emmett Ross

Born: August 13, 1948 Residence: Cat Spring, Texas Chef d’Equipe Emmett Ross has contributed to the sport of endurance as a rider, trainer, and coach. Ross has logged over 5,600 kilometers and had three top-ten Tevis Cup finishes and was a Haggin Cup recipient.

Ross has attended over 150 FEI events as a rider, trainer, or coach. He was the second of three trainers in the world to have had winning endurance horses in nine or more different countries. From 1995-2006, Ross was an endurance trainer and coach in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, and from 2000-2001 he was the top trainer in the UAE based on points and wins, producing numerous top riders and horses. In 2005, Ross was the Managing Director of the GCC Endurance Championship in Qatar and also served as the Chef d’Equipe for Qatar in the championship, leading the riders to Young Rider Individual Gold and Team

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Endurance - Staff

Photo Credit: USEF Archive

Vonita Bowers Born: February 25, 1954 Residence: Lexington, Ky. Team Leader Vonita Bowers began working at the United States Equestrian Federation in December of 2006 as the Director of Endurance; she now also serves as Director of Reining.

For 24 years, she had a career in the medical services sector in administration and business management. Prior to joining the USEF staff, Bowers had served for 16 years in leadership roles for the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) as a member of the Board of Directors, as Vice President, and as President for two years.

Bowers has accumulated just under 10,000 career endurance miles and has been in the AERC National Top Ten and the AERC Central Region Champion. Additionally, she is an FEI licensed official, a past member of the Endurance Technical Committee, and has been an organizer of endurance events.

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