Articles: Press Release
Team USA Wins Silver at 2009 Pan American Endurance Championships
Contact:
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.
4047 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511-8483
Tel: (859) 258-2472
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Web site: www.usef.org
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2009
By Joanie Morris and Vonita Bowers
Lexington, KY - Team USA put in a remarkable effort on the final phase at
the 2009 Pan American Endurance Championships in Costa Azul, Uruguay to
secure a Team Silver medal. They finished less than six minutes off the gold
medal-winning pace of Argentina.
The American riders blazed through the final 15km phase: Cheryl van Deusen
and on DA Al Capone (New Smyrna Beach, FL) and Stephen Rojek on Savvy (South
Woodstock, VT) completed the final leg in just 37 minutes. Valerie Kanavy
and LM Francesa Pharr (Fort Valley, VA) added to the effort with another
strong final phase time and a sixth place Individual finish to secure a Team
Silver medal.
The race was very close as the riders set off on the final phase, Team USA
was just four minutes ahead of the Guatemalan Team and 25 minutes behind
Argentina. The US riders made up considerable ground.
We needed the riders to pick up the pace to assure a medal and the riders
responded by turning in a phase speed of just under 16 miles per hour, said
Chef d Equipe Becky Hart. The combined experience of not only the riders,
but the crews, Team Veterinarian, and Team Staff contributed greatly to the
overall result. This win was a true team effort.
Gabrielle Mann and CM Big Easy (Bolinas, CA) served in the key anchor
position in their first international competition. They delivered on their
position and provided a security score in case one of the other members was
unable to complete the competition. Her completion meant that the US Team
was assured of at least the bronze, and allowed for a more aggressive
strategy.
Three of the American horses had to travel a long distance, and arrived with
only a short time to prepare before the event. The horses and athletes
adapted well to the short prep schedule and performed extremely well on a
course that was quite different than what is common in the US. The result
was a good performance, said Team Veterinarian Jim Bryant. They should be
congratulated for the effort.
ENDS
For complete results and more information, please visit:
www.endurance.net. For more information about the USEF Endurance program,
please contact Vonita Bowers at vbowers@usef.org.
The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation 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, based on a
foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare
of its human and equine athletes.
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