Lexington, KY - From a newlywed success story and a first-time international competitor to four individual victories, 13 top-five finishes and 25 top-ten finishes in between, it's fair to say our U.S. show jumpers made a splash on their European tour, representing the United States Equestrian Federation as part of its High Performance program. The group of five-past Olympian Nona Garson, veteran competitors Todd Minikus and Aaron Vale, and relative newcomers Christine Tribble and Callan Solem -shared a number of individual triumphs along the way, under the leadership of U.S. Chef d'Equipe George Morris.

"I was very pleased," said Morris from Europe. "We had very good individual results. We won four classes as well as seconds and thirds. These three horse shows were all five star shows-they are the biggest horse shows in each country."

The series of three competitions started with CSIO 5* Rotterdam, the Netherlands (June 16-19), part of the Samsung Super League circuit. While the U.S. Team was unable to secure a win at the Nations Cup, their participation ensured enough points to keep the United States in second place overall, a mere half point behind Switzerland.

Morris said while this team had less experience in Nations Cups, "They're all good riders, and with a little bit more international experience, they could go farther up."

The group completed their tour with trips to CSIO 5* Lummen, Belgium (June 30-July 3) and CSIO 5* Falsterbo, Sweden (July 7-10).

Nona Garson, part of the U.S. Show Jumping Team at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, competed in the tour riding Languster (1996 Danish Warmblood stallion, owned by Ryan Automotive). The pair picked up two top-ten Grand Prix finishes-one at Rotterdam and another at Falsterbo. She also served as a mentor to two of the newer competitors. "Both Callan and I relied a lot on Nona," recalled Christine Tribble. "She was wonderful to us. She gave us a lot of tips and on decision making-she was a big help."

Todd Minikus, an alternate for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, made yet another visit to the international scene, this time claiming a victory in the 6-bar at Lummen, riding Gardenio (1993 Hanoverian gelding, owned by YZ Partners, LLC) and an eighth place finish in the Grand Prix at Falsterbo, riding Flier (1992 Warmblood gelding, owned by Harry R. Gill).

A newcomer to Europe, Callan Solem claimed her first international victory at the Derby Qualifier in Falsterbo, riding Mianta (1994 Dutch Warmblood mare, owned by Quiet Winter Farm). "To have the flag flown and our national anthem played-that was so special to me," said Solem.

Solem also rode in her first international Grand Prix at Rotterdam, where she was only one rail shy of jumping a clear round. Her trainer (also Mianta's owner), Carol Thompson, who won the Grand Prix at Rotterdam in 1968, felt it fitting that she could be there to support Solem in her first experience in the same city.

"I matured a lot as a rider and I feel so much more confident in the horses and in coming back here," Solem shared. "George was a great leader. He really made me feel confident and capable. I jumped a clear round in two of the Nations Cups and I was really proud of that too. I'm excited to come back here and practice what I learned."

Newlywed Christine Tribble joined her teammates in Europe a mere two days after getting married to fellow show jumper Jon McCrea. "It was complete drama," Tribble said, laughing. "It was such a whirlwind of an experience. It was just so strange-you get married one day and get on a plane to go to a horse show the next. I hadn't ridden in ten days because I was getting ready for the wedding."

New husband Jon came along for the ride to ensure Tribble wouldn't miss a beat. She didn't. Wearing marriage rather well, she claimed a win at the Prijs Nicky's in Lummen on Promised Land (1994 Holsteiner gelding, owned by Candy Tribble) and a another first place finish in the Jeep Ride and Drive on Rioletto (1994 KWPN Dutch Warmblood mare, owned by Candy Tribble). In the latter, Tribble was able to prove victorious on and off her horse, in a combo class where riders jump off their horses after jumping the course, and drive another course in a Jeep.

"It was a fantastic experience for me," Tribble said. "I had a great time. George Morris helped me so much and as he said, it was a 'reality check,' and a good one for me. It opened my eyes to what's out there and what I should be trying to achieve." Tribble's future plans will not only include the show ring, but also a "real honeymoon."

Rounding out the five athletes was Aaron Vale, who rode Ratina 79 (1995 Hessen mare, owned by Hollow Creek Investments). Together the pair earned a tenth place finish in the Derby at Lummen. Vale also rounded up four top-five finishes over the course of the three competitions.

The third group of U.S. show jumpers will leave for Europe later this week, and will compete in CSIO 5* Hickstead, Great Britain, CSIO 5* Dublin, Ireland, and CSIO 5* Aachen, Germany. For more information visit: http://www.usef.org/content/newsDisplay/viewPR.php?id=648