Contact:
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.
4047 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511-8483
Tel: (859) 258-2472
Fax (859) 231-6662
Web site: www.usef.org
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2007

By Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY -- After an illustrious career which includes three victories at the Rolex Kentucky CCI****, a Team gold medal at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, Team bronze and Individual silver medals at the 2004 Olympics, a third place finish at the Badminton CCI**** in 2007, wins at the 2000 Radnor CCI** and the 2001 Blenheim CCI*** and countless horse trials victories Winsome Adante's owner, vets and rider have collectively made the difficult decision to retire him due to soundness issues in a hind leg.

Owned by Linda Wachtmeister of Plain Dealing Farm and ridden by Kim Severson, 'Dan' as he is known to his friends, has a nearly flawless record. Incredibly consistent in all three phases Dan and Severson won the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** every time they contested it, both in the traditional format (with roads and tracks and steeplechase) and the new short format. Victories in 2002, 2004 and 2005 proved that Dan was invincible at the Lexington, KY event and he was also the US Eventing Association's Horse of the Year following each of these victories.

"It was a hard decision but it was also an easy decision," said Wachtmeister. "He had been in a stall for a long time because of a previous injury and he wouldn't have been ready for the Olympics. He needed to go out in the field and live the rest of his life. We had always hoped he would go to the Olympics again but I'm so proud of what he has accomplished. I never dreamed that my family would get to go to the Olympics because of him."

The 14-year-old English Thoroughbred sustained an injury to a hind suspensory ligament and Severson and Wachtmeister determined that after all he has given them the best thing for Dan would be to let him live in the field at Plain Dealing Farm in Scottsville, Va.

"He's been so sound and done so much for us," said Severson. "It was a difficult decision but we don't want to hurt him and he's happy now living out in the field."

ENDS

For more information, please contact High Performance Communications Manager Joanie Morris at: jmorris@usef.org.

The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation(r) is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games. This is based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of horses. Embracing this vision, the USEF strives to be the best national equestrian federation in the world.