Articles: Horse News
U.S. Teams Win and Take Third at FEI Dressage Nations Cup in Florida
Christopher Hickey and Witness Hilltop earned the top score at the
Intermediaire I Freestyle (Susan J. Stickle)
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2012
From the USEF Communications Department
Wellington, FL - Two U.S. Dressage teams competed in the
Intermediaire I Freestyle Saturday night at the WEF Wellington
Dressage Nations Cup CDIO 3* presented by Stillpoint Farm. Both
went home with medals.
Helped by three of the night's top seven scores the first U.S. team beat out
their American counterpart, a team from Europe, and two teams from Latin
America to capture the FEI Nations Cup crown. The team was lead by
Christopher Hickey riding Hilltop Farm's Witness Hilltop. The pair kept
their momentum from Friday's Prix St. Georges and scored a competition high
71.425%. Caroline Roffman and Pie scored 70.050%, Shelley Francis and
Patricia Stemple's Doktor 68.650%, Devon Kane and Diamante Farm's Destiny
67.525% and together they edged out a victory on Saturday night. With a
final score of 210.125 (the lowest score from teams of four riders was
dropped) the first US team beat out the European team by less than one whole
point.
A tense and exciting night in Wellington, FL came down to the night's very
last rider. With scores of 70.825% and 68.075% respectively from Kevin
Kohmann and Katharina Stumph team Europe was still in position to win when
the final pairing, Mikala Gunderson and My Lady, got going. They would need
a very good ride and they got one. A 70.475% made them the third best
pairing of the night, but that wasn't quite enough as the team finished with
a 209.375.
Christoper Hickey was exited by the win, and by the entire experience. "I'm
very happy with my horse," he said, "he showed himself well even in the
electric night time atmosphere of the wonderful new show grounds! I am proud
of him and so happy that my owner Jane MacElree of Hilltop Farm was there to
enjoy the team feeling we got from this wonderful experience! I had a lot of
fun with my teammates as well!"
Overall, it was a very good night for American riders.
The three riders on the second U.S. team captured third place and had
individuals finish with two of the top six scores. Laura Graves and her own
Verdades scored a 70.400%, fourth highest overall, Tom Noone and his own
Fred Astair a 68.675% and Jane Cleveland with her own Rodeo Queen a
64.675%. Their total score was 203.750, good enough to secure a third place
finish and ensure that the United State of America enjoyed a night of
success at the WEF Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO 3*.
Saturday night was also a showcase night for athletes from Latin
American. Participants from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, the Cayman Islands,
Argentina and Colombia rode well and were a strong sign of the present and
future state of equestrian spots in Latin American.
For more information about the WEF Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO3*
visit http://www.globaldressagefestival.com/
Follow the 2012 U.S. Dressage Team at
http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2012Dressage/
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pursuit
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