Eventing

Eventing

The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Squad for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games The following horse-and-athlete combinations have been named to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Squad for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and are in alphabetical order. Combinations will be named as Team members or Individuals no later than the First Horse Inspection on August 24, 2014. The Traveling Reserves are in ranked order.

The eventing competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will take place August 28-31, 2014, with the dressage and cross country phases at Le Pin National Stud in Le-Pin-au-Haras, France and the show jumping phase at d’Ornano Stadium in Caen, France.

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Eventing - Squad 10th and then fourth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event with Pajama Game, the Morgan-cross that many felt wouldn’t compete on the international level. Also in 1999, he and Pajama Game were part of the U.S. team in the Pan American Games.

In 2003, Davidson placed third in the USET Three-Star Spring Championship and fourth overall in the Foxhall Cup CCI3*. At the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2005, Davidson was 11th and 13th with Let It Rain and Private Treaty, respectively, two horses known for their sensitive natures. At that year’s Jersey Fresh, Hyperlite provided Davidson with his very first CCI3* victory.

Since importing Ballynoe Castle RM (or Reggie as he is called, after fellow super jock Reggie Miller) as a young horse, Davidson has always maintained that Reggie is all class. In 2008, Davidson’s faith in the horse was rewarded with an immaculate performance at the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh where they were second.

In 2009, Davidson had his most successful season to

Photo Credit: Mike McNally

date, winning horse trials at every level and collecting a

Buck Davidson

number of strong finishes at three-day events. With My

Born: February 11, 1976 Residence: Ocala, Fla.

Ballynoe Castle RM – 2000 Irish Thoroughbred gelding owned by Carl and Cassandra Segal The Davidson name is legendary in the eventing world, and Buck has focused on following in the footsteps of his father Bruce, an Olympic medalist and the only person to ever win back-to-back World Championships. Though much of his younger years were devoted primarily to baseball, a sports-related injury changed his focus. Always a rider, Davidson began his career as a fox hunter and timber jockey.

Davidson had an impressive history as a young rider. He won the Markham Trophy as the highest placing Young Rider in a USET Championship three times, and was the 1996 Young Rider of the Year. In his CCI4* debut in 1998, he placed sixth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event on Trans Am A Flirt. The two following years he placed

Boy Bobby, Davidson won the CIC3* divisions at both The Fork and Wits End. In the spring of 2009, the pair was third at the CCI4* in Kentucky, making Davidson the top-placed American, winning him his second Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship.

Not to be outdone by his stablemate, Ballynoe Castle RM also cruised to a number of good results in 2009. Reggie collected ribbons up and down the east coast at horse trials in the spring. He capped off the first half of the season with a top 15 finish in his first CCI4* at Rolex. He followed up this good result with a pair of second place CIC3* finishes at Maui Jim and Wits End. In September, Davidson and Reggie traveled to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4* where they were once again in the top 15.

2010 once again proved to be a successful year for Davidson. With My Boy Bobby, Davidson replicated his win from 2009 in the CIC3* at The Fork Horse Trials and placed second in the CIC3*-W at The Event at Rebecca Farm.

Ballynoe Castle RM collected wins at the Advanced level at Rocking Horse Winter II Horse Trials and Millbrook Horse Trials. Davidson completed the 2010 season by representing the U.S. at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Eventing - Squad Ballynoe Castle RM. Davidson competed across the county as well as over-

Corp Fair Hill International CCI3*. With D.A. Adirmo, Davidson came in second in the Jersey Fresh CCI3*. Additionally,

seas in 2011. He and Ballynoe Castle RM completed the

he and Petite Flower topped the CCI3* field at the Galway

Badminton CCI4* and were the highest-placed American

Downs International in the fall.

pair in 21st place. In the summer, the pair won the CIC3* at

Davidson enjoyed a successful start to his 2014 season

Richland Park and Advanced divisions at both the Millbrook

earning second- and fourth-place finishes in CIC3* with

Horse Trials and the Morven Park Fall Horse Trials. They

Ballynoe Castle RM at the Cloud Eleven~Gavilan North LLC

also finished second in the CIC3* at The Event at Rebecca

Carolina International and The Fork, respectively. At the

Farm and at the Nutrena/USEA American Eventing Cham-

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover

pionships in the Advanced division.

the pair earned a third place. Additionally Davidson and Park

With Absolute Liberty, Davidson found another top performer. In the spring of 2010, he and Absolute Liberty were second in the CIC2* at Richland Park and fourth in the CCI2* at the Ocala Horse Properties International ThreeDay Event. In 2011, Davidson moved the mare up to the Advanced and three-star level, collecting a fourth-place finish at the CCI3* at Bromont and a third-place finish at Millbrook Horse Trials. After finishing sixth at the Mandatory Outing at Richland Park, Davidson and Absolute Liberty were chosen to represent the U.S. at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. The pair won Individual Bronze and was part of the Gold medal-winning team.

Davidson suffered a broken collarbone in February of 2012, but that did not slow him down. He proved he was back at 100% at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event in early May. With Ballynoe Castle RM, Davidson finished fourth in the CCI3* division. He followed up his Jersey Fresh showing in Bromont by placing seventh in the CCI3* with The Apprentice. With Ballynoe Castle RM, Davidson scored two Advanced wins before finishing third in the Richland Park CIC3*. At Plantation Field International Horse Trials, the pair earned another CIC3* third-place finish. Davidson finished the year with a fifth-place finish in the Galway Downs International CCI3* with The Apprentice.

2013 saw Davidson earn top finishes on multiple horses.

With Ballynoe Castle RM he earned two third-place finishes in CIC3* competition at Red Hills and The Fork before finishing in fourth place at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. With Mar de Amor, Davidson finished ninth in the Kentucky’s CCI4*. He also piloted Park Trader around the Irish Sport Horse’s first CCI4* in April at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and the pair went on to complete their 2013 campaign earning a second-place finish at The Dutta

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Trader finished 12th at the event. Davidson then won the Jersey Fresh CCI3* with Copper Beach.

Eventing - Squad the world stage. Dutton has been runner-up at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event six times, was second, fourth and fifth in 2005, and also was second at Burghley CCI4* with The Foreman in 2005. The Foreman was back with a vengeance in 2007 winning the Fair Hill International CCI3* for the second time (he also won in 2004).

With Connaught, he represented Australia at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games as an individual after placing fourth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event earlier that year. The pair returned to Kentucky in 2007, where they were second and the highest-placed American combination.

They went one better in 2008, and Dutton finally broke his streak, winning his first CCI4* with a fantastic clear show jumping round. Connaught went on the represent the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong.

Dutton and Truluck represented the U.S. in 2007 at the Pan American Games and were Individual Silver medalists and members of the Gold medal winning team. He began Photo Credit: : Mike McNally

Phillip Dutton

Born: September 13, 1963 Residence: West Grove, Pa. Trading Aces – 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Trading Aces LLC Phillip Dutton represented Australia in three Olympics and four World Championships before acquiring U.S. citizenship in 2006. A native of Australia, Dutton has been based in Pennsylvania since 1991 and lives there with his wife, Evie, her daughter, Lee Lee, and their twin girls, Mary and Olivia. Dutton won Team Gold medals at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games with True Blue Girdwood and House Doctor, respectively, and was fifth individually in the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games with House Doctor. He also represented Australia at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

Dutton brought True Blue Girdwood with him from Australia as a relatively inexperienced horse. Dutton credits “Jug” with teaching him how to ride and getting him onto

riding Woodburn in 2007, and the pair has been very successful during its partnership. They were third in the Fair Hill International CCI3*, the horse’s first attempt at the level, in October and went on to finish 10th at Woodburn’s first CCI4* at Kentucky in 2008.

2009 was another extremely successful year for Dutton.

Woodburn completed the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event for a second time, placing 12th. Additionally, the horse had a pair of third-place CIC3* finishes over the summer at Wits End and Richland Park, as well as claiming second place the USEA American Eventing Championships. Connaught finished seventh at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in April and Truluck finished the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4* in fourth place in September. Dutton wound up the 2009 season with a fourth-place finish on Kheops Du Quesnay at the Fair Hill CCI3*.

At the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented

by Bridgestone, Dutton claimed his third USEF CCI4* National Championship on Woodburn. The pair finished the event in second place. Dutton also was sixth on The Foreman. Also in 2010, Dutton won the CIC3* at Jersey Fresh and was third in the CIC3*-W at The Event at Rebecca Farm with Truluck.

Dutton completed his 2010 season by representing the U.S. in Lexington, Ky., at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Eventing - Squad Games with Woodburn. Two weeks later, he piloted the relatively inexperienced Fernhill Eagle to a second-place finish in the CCI3* at Fair Hill International.

2011 was another year filled with success for Dutton and his string of horses. At Red Hills International, he and Mighty Nice won the CIC2*. With Fernhill Eagle, Dutton attained another Rolex Kentucky CCI4* completion. At Bromont, he placed third in both the CCI3* and the CCI2* with William Penn and Mighty Nice, respectively. Dutton picked up another win with Ben in the Advanced division at The Event at Rebecca Farm. At Richland Park, he finished third with Ben and fourth with William Penn in the CIC3*. Dutton then traveled to England and completed the Blenheim CCI3* aboard Mighty Nice. He finished up his year at Fair Hill International, placing fifth in the CCI3* with William Penn, as well as completing the CCI3* and CCI2* aboard Ben and Young Man, respectively.

Dutton started 2012 with a very successful showing at Red Hills International. He won the CIC3* with Mystery Whisper and finished third with Ben. Dutton also finished second in the CIC2* with Gran Banks and second at the Advanced level with Fernhill Eagle. He continued his success in 2012 by finishing 10th and 12th with Mighty Nice and Fernhill Eagle, respectively, at the Rolex Kentucky ThreeDay Event presented by Bridgestone CCI4*.

Dutton admits that although he has never braided a horse, he can put shoes on one. Having grown up on a farm in Nygan, New South Wales, he was responsible for all aspects of his horses’ care. His introduction to horses came through Pony Club and riding on the farm as a child.

Dutton and Evie run a very busy training and teaching business at True Prospect Farm, and Dutton’s list of students is a “Who’s Who” of the stars of the sport. He considers his biggest accomplishment being able to make a living doing what he enjoys. When he’s not competing or traveling, Dutton spends time with his family and enjoys all sports.

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Eventing - Squad her time abroad that Halpin found Manoir de Carneville.

Upon returning to the U.S. in the fall of 2008, the pair came in third in the CCI2* at Fair Hill International.

2009 was a banner year for this combination. They were fifth in the CIC3* at Wits End and second in the CIC3* at Plantation Field. Halpin and “Tate” ended the season with a fifth-place finish in their first CCI3* at Fair Hill International.

In 2010, Halpin and Tate won the CIC2* at Richland Park in the summer. They completed the season by completing the Boekelo CCI3* in The Netherlands.

The pair started out 2011 by winning the Advanced division at Southern Pines Horse Trials II and finishing fourth in the CIC3* at The Fork. In April, Halpin and Manoir de Carneville were third in their first CCI4* at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone and were crowned USEF National CCI4* Eventing Champions.

The pair then traveled to England for the Burghley CCI4* and finished 15th out of a huge field of talented horses and Photo Credit: Mike McNally

Sinead Halpin

Born: October 10, 1981 Residence: Oldwick, N.J. Manoir de Carneville – 2000 Selle Francais gelding owned by Manoir de Carneville Syndicate Growing up in Irmo, S.C., Sinead Halpin spent much of her childhood riding ponies. She enjoyed a very successful Young Rider career, which included completing her first CCI3* at 19 on Killian. Halpin spent many years working for

riders.

Halpin started 2012 with a bang at the Jersey Fresh International on Manoir de Carneville, finishing the CIC3* in second place. The pair closed out the year with a strong second-place finish and at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in September.

In 2013, Halpin and Manoir de Carneville were the victors of the CIC3* at Plantation Field and an Advanced division at Richland Park.

The pair kicked off their 2014 campaign with a CIC3* win at The Fork before earning a fourth-place finish at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover.

Sinead runs a successful training and coaching business out of Annandale, N.J.

U.S. Olympians Karen and David O’Connor at their High Acre Farm in The Plains, Va. In 2005, Halpin won the USEF National Two-Star Championship at Radnor with Tommy. She has also been named to the USEF Developing Riders List numerous times.

During the spring of 2007, Halpin moved to England, where she trained with U.S. team Chef d’Equipe Mark Phillips. While in the UK, she also spent 10 months working for British Olympian William Fox-Pitt. During her stay in England, Halpin gained invaluable experience. It was during 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Eventing - Squad ning the 2008 Bromont CCI2* in Canada. Neville Bardos was also ninth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day CCI4* in 2008.

Martin has quickly made his mark on American eventing.

In 2008, he was ranked number two on the U.S. Eventing Association Rider of the Year Leaderboard, an impressive feat in only his second year living and competing in the U.S. 2009 was a very successful year with Martin’s first CCI3* win at Fair Hill in the fall with Neville Bardos. Martin was also sixth with Remington XXV in the CCI3* at Fair Hill. Other successes in 2009 include winning and placing fourth in the CIC3* at Jersey Fresh with Belmont and Rock on Rose, respectively. In the CCI3* at Jersey, Martin and Remington XXV were once again in the Top 10.

At the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented

by Bridgestone, Martin and Neville Bardos finished in fourth place. Martin also had two other horses in the Top 12: Rock on Rose (11th) and Remington XXV (12th).

In the fall of 2010, Martin and Neville Bardos were part of

Photo Credit: StockimageServices.com

the U.S. team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games,

Boyd Martin

and were the highest-placing Americans in 10th place. A

Born: August 30, 1979 Residence: Cochranville, Pa. Shamwari 4 – 2002 Hanoverian gelding owned by Shamwari 4 Syndicate LLC Australian native Boyd Martin relocated to the U.S. in 2007 to pursue his dreams of international eventing competition. In 2009, Martin rode under the American flag for the first time.

Martin was extremely successful in Australia, where he won the 2003 Adelaide CCI4* riding True Blue Toozac. He spent his first two years in the U.S. working as assistant trainer to Olympic Gold medalist Phillip Dutton before striking out on his own. Martin has several horses competing at the upper levels of the sport, and always has numerous young horses coming up the ranks.

Martin’s competitive successes since moving to the U.S. include placing second with Ying Yang Yo and fourth with Neville Bardos overall at the 2007 Fair Hill CCI3*, and win-

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few weeks later, Martin and Remington traveled to the Pau CCI4*, where they finished in seventh place at the horse’s second attempt at the CCI4* level.

Martin started off 2011 with his usual success by finishing second in the CIC3* at Red Hills on Neville Bardos and ninth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone with Remington XXV. However, things changed dramatically for him in May. On May 31, 2011, a fire ravaged Martin’s barn, taking the lives of six horses and injuring four others. The horse that had the most severe injuries was Neville Bardos. Things looked grim for the little horse, but somehow he managed to improve and keep recovering. Martin then lost his father, Ross, in a bicycling accident and Martin’s wife, Silva, lost her father to illness. Through this difficult time, Martin focused on getting Neville Bardos recovered and fit in time for the Land Rover Burghley CCI4*. The pair seemed to do the impossible by traveling to England and finishing seventh in the grueling CCI4* competition. For his amazing comeback, Neville Bardos was named the 2011 USEF Horse of the Year.

Martin continued to produce stellar performances in the fall of 2011. Martin and Remington XXV finished second at

Eventing - Squad the CIC3* at Plantation Field. At Boekelo, Martin rode Otis Barbotiere to a 14th-place finish in the horse’s first CCI3*.

Ying Yang Yo made quite a statement by winning the Fair Hill CCI3* with Martin shortly after returning to competing at the upper levels to complete the 2011 season.

Martin kept up his form in 2012, and with Otis Barbotiere he finished fifth in the CIC3* at The Fork. He had an excellent performance at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone CCI4*. Martin finished third with Otis Barbotiere in the horse’s first four-star and was named the 2012 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Reserve Champion.

Martin also finished eighth with Remington XXV. In June, Martin traveled to England, where he placed sixth in the Barbury Castle CIC3* on Remington XXV. Later that summer, Martin and Otis Barbotiere represented the United States at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Upon returning to the U.S., Martin won the CIC2* with Cracker Jack and was eighth in the CIC3* with Trading Aces at Richland Park. He and Trading Aces had another eighthplace finish in the Plantation Field CIC3*. Martin finished out 2012 claiming fifth and sixth place in the Fair Hill CCI2* with Master Frisky and Cracker Jack, respectively.

In 2013, Martin won top honors at the Richland Park CIC3* with Trading Aces. The pair was then sixth in the Plantation Field CIC3*. Martin also had strong performances in the CIC2* at Plantation Field, winning the division with Pancho Villa and coming in fourth with Steady Eddie. Martin ended the year by representing the U.S. in the Boekelo CCIO3*.

Martin began 2014 in a big way, winning the Red Hills CIC3* with Trading Aces. After suffering a broken leg in March, Martin returned to competition in May. With a new mount, Shamwari 4, Martin showed he was back in top form by finishing third in the Luhmuhlen CCI4*.

Martin is married to German Grand Prix dressage rider Silva Martin, and they run a coaching and training business out of their base in Cochranville, Pa.

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Eventing - Squad at the Blenheim CCI3* and placed second. She and Over The Limit placed fourth (behind Olympic medalists Blyth Tait and David and Karen O’Connor) in the 2000 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* presented by Bayer. In September 2001, she won the Blenheim CCI3* on Winsome Adante. Earlier that year, she rode him to the Reserve Champion title in the USET Three-Star Spring Championship at the MBNA Foxhall Cup. In 2007, the pair was third at the very prestigious Badminton CCI4* in 2007.

Severson uncovered a new star in the giant Tipperary Liadhnan. “Paddy” was a different type of horse for Severson, but she found success with him very quickly. The pair was second in the CIC3* at The Fork and fifth at the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh in 2007, but missed a fall three-day after Severson broke her collarbone. Paddy continued to jump around big tracks with ease in 2008, picking up good finishes in the Advanced division at Southern Pines and in the CIC3*-W at The Fork. They capped off their 2008 spring Photo Credit: Mike McNally

Kim Severson

Born: August 22, 1973 Residence: Charlottesville, Va. Fernhill Fearless – 2000 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the rider Kim Severson has won the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* in Lexington, Ky., an impressive three times: in 2002, 2004, and 2005, all with her trusty mount, Winsome Adante. She earned her first medal in a World Championship in September 2002, when she and “Dan” helped the U.S. earn the Team Gold medal at the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. In 2004, they not only were members of the U.S. Olympic Bronze medal-winning team, but also earned an Individual Silver medal.

Prior to her partnership with Dan, Severson began her climb to success with Over The Limit. In 1999, the duo was in the winner’s circle in Lexington, having won the USET Three-Star Spring Championship. That same year, Severson was awarded a USET grant to compete Over The Limit

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season by finishing fifth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* in April. In 2010, Kim and Paddy completed the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* and were fourth in the CCI3* at Bromont. At the Land Rover USEA American Eventing Championships, the pair was fourth in the starstudded field of the Advanced Championship. In 2011, she and Tipperary Liadhnan completed another Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone.

Severson returned to the international scene in 2013 with Fernhill Fearless. After only a few months of beginning their partnership, Severson and Fernhill Fearless were fifth in The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI3*.

In 2014, the pair has continued to improve and develop their partnership. At The Fork, Severson and Fernhill Fearless ended up fifth in the CIC3*. They then took on the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, where they came in 11th.

Eventing - Squad him to a fifth-place finish in his first CCI2* at the Jersey Fresh. The pair then took on the CIC3* level, successfully completing the Plantation Field CIC3*. Symansky and Donner represented the U.S. for the first time at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, where the pair finished on its dressage score to contribute to the Team Gold medal. The following year, they had a 13th-place finish in The Fork CIC3* and an 11th-place finish in the Jersey Fresh CCI3*.

In 2013, Symansky had a stellar year, kicking things off with a win in The Fork CIC3* with Donner. The pair then finished on its dressage score to earn fifth place in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover CCI4*. As the second highest-placed American, Symansky claimed the 2013 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Eventing Reserve Championship title. Donner received the Zeppa International Trophy for Best Turned Out and the Best Conditioned Horse Award.

Symansky and Donner’s success continued in the summer

Photo Credit: Mike McNally

and fall. The pair came in 10th at the Richland Park CIC3*

Lynn Symansky

and had a successful outing in the CIC3* at the Plantation

Born: March 19, 1983 Residence: Middleburg, Va.

Donner – 2003 Thoroughbred gelding owned by the rider

Field. Symansky and Donner received a Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grant from the USET Foundation to travel to France for the Pau CCI4*, where they finished in 13th place.

In 2014, Symansky and Donner have maintained their top form. In the Bromont CIC3*, she and Donner took home top honors.

Lynn Symansky began riding at the age of three and competing at the age of five. She grew up as a member of the United States Pony Club, earning her A-rating, and by the age of 18, she was competing at the Advanced level. In 2003, she was named to the Short List for the Pan American Games. That fall, she and No It Tissant were 10th in the Fair Hill International CCI3*. Symansky competed in her first CCI4* at the 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event with No It Tissant and finished in 19th place and received the Best Conditioned Horse Award. The pair had a repeat performance, coming in 19th once again in the 2009 edition of the CCI4*.

Symansky found another talented star in the off-thetrack Thoroughbred gelding, Donner. In 2011, she rode 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Eventing - Traveling Reserves finish at the Fair Hill International CCI3*.

Little kicked off 2012 by winning the Advanced division at the Rocking Horse Winter II Horse Trials riding RF Demeter. At Red Hills International, Little won the CIC2* with RF Smoke on the Water and finished second in the CIC3* with RF Rovano Rex. Little’s success continued at The Fork. She had two third-place finishes at the competition, in the CIC3* with RF Demeter and in the CIC2* with RF Smoke on the Water. Little competed in her first CCI4* competition at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone, finishing in an impressive ninth-place with RF Demeter. At the Bromont Three-Day Event, she and RF Smoke on the Water finished in fourth place in the CCI2*.

Little traveled overseas at the end of the summer and came in eighth at the Malmo CIC3*-W with RF Smoke on the Water. Returning to the U.S., the pair was fifth in the Plantation Field CIC3*. At the Fair Hill International CCI3* Little had a great showing, earning second place with RF Photo Credit: Mike McNally

Marilyn Little

Born: December 1, 1981 Residence: Frederick, Md. RF Demeter – 2002 Oldenburg mare owned by Team Demeter After much success competing at the international Grand Prix level in show jumping, Marilyn Little took up the sport of eventing in the fall of 2010.

In 2011, Little went from competing at Preliminary to the Advanced and CCI3* levels. She started the year by winning the Preliminary Rider division aboard Udonna at the Rocking Horse Winter II Horse Trials. The pair then moved up to Intermediate and finished third in the Open Intermediate division at Red Hills International.

Little competed at the Advanced level for the first time at Five Points Horse Trials, winning the division on RF Rovano Rex. At Plantation Field Horse Trials, Little won her first international eventing competition, winning the CIC3* with RF Rovano Rex. The pair ended the year with a ninth-place

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Smoke on the Water and fourth place with RF Demeter.

She and RF Demeter earned another fourth-place finish at the Jersey Fresh International CIC3*.

2013 began with more top finishes for Little, as she scored a second-place finish with RF Smoke on the Water in the CIC3* and second- and third-place finishes with RF Azarah and RF Black Pearl, respectively, in the CIC2* at Red Hills International. At The Fork, Little rode RF Demeter to fourth place in the CIC3* and RF Black Pearl to second in the CIC2*.

Going overseas, Little maintained her top form. At the Saumur CCI3* she and RF Smoke on the Water were eighth. Little partnered with RF Demeter at the Luhmuhlen CCI4*, where they had an impressive seventh-place finish.

She found success once again at Blair Castle, ending up fifth in the CIC3* with RF Demeter and third in the CCI2* with RF Tabasco. Little’s next stop was Breda where she was second in the CIC3* with RF Demeter and first in the CIC2* with RF Tabasco. She and RF Demeter teamed up and earned another second-place finish at the Schenefeld CIC3*, then had a strong performance at the Pau CCI4* to close out the year.

Little began 2014 in a winning fashion, taking home top honors at the Carolina International CIC3* with RF Demeter. The pair was then second at The Fork CIC3*. At the

Eventing - Traveling Reserves Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, Little maintained her fine form, finishing fifth and sixth with RF Smoke on the Water and RF Demeter, respectively.

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Eventing - Traveling Reserves O’Connor. It was during this year that Burnett started riding Richard Thompson’s St. Barths. In October 2009, this pair won the USEF National CCI2* Championship at Fair Hill International.

The following spring, Burnett and St. Barths were second in the CIC2* at Red Hills International before winning the Advanced division at The Fork in April. They finished 2010 by once again winning at Fair Hill International, this time moving up a level to claim victory in the USEF National CCI3* Championship.

In April 2011, Burnett and St. Barths contested their first CCI4* at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone. The pair galloped to a double-clear cross country round, finishing the event in eighth place.

With Harbour Pilot, Burnett has collected numerous top placings. In 2011, they were third in the CIC2* at Red Hills International. In June, Burnett rode Harbour Pilot to Photo Credit: Mike McNally

Hannah Sue Burnett

Born: July 9, 1986 Residence: The Plains, Va. Harbour Pilot – 2003 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Jacqueline Mars Hannah Sue Burnett and her list of accomplishments would be enough to last some a lifetime. Burnett grew up riding alongside her mother, Sue, in Shelbyville, Ky., and at a young age developed an aptitude for the sport of eventing. Burnett first tasted success with Keep the Faith. In the fall of 2006, the pair contested its first CCI3* at Fair Hill, finishing the cross country with no jumping faults. The following spring, they contested their first CCI4* at the 2007 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

In 2008, following the retirement of Keep the Faith, Burnett began working full-time for Karen and David

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second-place honors at the Bromont International CCI2*.

The pair finished fourth at the Pan American Games Mandatory Outing at Richland Park and were named to eventing team to represent the U.S. at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. At the games, Burnett and Harbour Pilot were part of the Gold medalwinning team and received Individual Silver.

In 2012, Harbour Pilot and Burnett finished ninth in the Bromont CIC3* in Canada, and then had a third-place finish at the American Eventing Championships in the Advanced division. The pair ended the year on a high note, winning the Advanced division at the Morven Park Fall Horse Trials, followed by taking home top honors in the Fair Hill International CCI3*, claiming the USEF Three-Star National Championship title.

Burnett and Harbour Pilot kicked off 2013 with a seventh-place finish at the Red Hills International CIC3*.

They then finished tenth in the competitive field in The Fork CIC3*. At the Jersey Fresh International, Burnett and Harbour Pilot improved to finish in third in the CIC3*.

For their performances, the pair was chosen to represent the U.S. at the Saumur CCI3*. Burnett and Harbour Pilot also earned a third-place finish in an Advanced division at the Plantation Field International Horse Trials in the fall.

Eventing - Traveling Reserves In 2014, Burnett and Harbour Pilot earned a ninthplace finish in the Cloud Eleven~Gavlian North LLC Carolina International CIC3*. They then stepped up to the CCI4* level for the first time finishing the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 15th place.

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Eventing - Traveling Reserves up to the Advanced level and finished sixth at the Morven Park Fall Horse Trials.

In 2012, O’Donoghue and Pirate continued to improve and climb the levels. At the Jersey Fresh International, the pair finished an impressive seventh in their first CIC3*.

They then finished 15th in the Richland Park CIC3*, before improving to 14th at the Plantation Field International CIC3*. O’Donoghue brought her year to a close by competing in her first CCI3* at the Dansko Fair Hill International, where she and Pirate finished 12th.

O’Donoghue had one of the biggest years in her career in 2013. She and Pirate completed The Fork CIC3* before heading to the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented

by Land Rover to tackle their first CCI4*. O’Donoghue rose to the occasion with Pirate, earning a 12th-place finish and being the highest-placed, first-time rider. She continued her rise to stardom, receiving a Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grant from the USET Foundation to compete Photo Credit: Mike McNally

Meghan O’Donoghue

Born: April 12, 1989 Residence: Carbondale, Ill. Pirate – 2002 Thoroughbred gelding owned by the rider Meghan O’Donoghue grew up on her parents’ Southern Illinois boarding and training farm and as a member of the United States Pony Club, having a fierce competitive drive from a young age. From 2009-2012, O’Donoghue worked full-time at Surefire Farm learning the inner workings of a top eventing training facility. She was first included on the Developing Riders List in 2011 and has quickly risen to the top of the sport.

O’Donoghue found Pirate, an off-the-track Thoroughbred, and the pair rose through the levels together. In 2011, she and Pirate completed their first CCI2* at Jersey Fresh International, finishing in 13th place. In the fall, they moved

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overseas for the first time in the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International CCI3*. O’Donoghue and Pirate held their own against a field of experienced competitors to collect an 11th-place finish and be the highest-placed, first-time rider once again.

In 2014, O’Donoghue has continued to demonstrate that she is a solid competitor in international competitions. With Pirate, she finished 17th at The Fork CIC3* and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover CCI4*.

Eventing - Staff as the USEF president from 2004-2012. O’Connor also served as the International Technical Advisor to the Canadian Eventing Team from 2006-2012, coaching Canada to Individual Gold and Team Silver medals at the 2011 Pan American Games, as well as Team Silver medals at the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. He took over as the U.S. International Technial Advisor in 2013.

With his wife, legendary eventer Karen O’Connor, he runs a premier eventing training facility, teaching some of the best horses and riders in the country.

Photo Credit: USEF Archive

David O’Connor Born: January 18, 1962 Residence: The Plains, Va. Chef d’Equipe David O’Connor is one of the most famous names in U.S. eventing. Throughout his career, he had top placings both nationally and internationally, representing the U.S. on numerous occasions. O’Connor won a Team Silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, a Team Bronze medal at the 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games, and Team Gold and Individual Silver medals at the 1999 Pan American Games, all with his legendary mount Giltedge. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games, O’Connor won Individual Gold with Custom Made, as well as a Team Bronze medal with Giltedge.

At the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games, he and Giltedge won a Team Gold medal. O’Connor retired from international competition in 2004.

O’Connor made the switch from being an international competitor to being a leader of equestrian sport. He served 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Eventing - Staff

Photo Credit: USEF Archive

Joanie Morris

Born: October 24, 1979 Residence: Lexington, Ky. Team Leader Joanie Morris, a native of Concord, Mass., has numerous years of experience with international equestrian competition. She grew up competing in eventing and working for top riders in the sport. Morris began working at the USEF in 2007 as the High Performance Communications Director and remained in this position for five years. She also was the Event Director of the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North from 2009-2012. Morris started her current position as Managing Director of Eventing in 2013.

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