Excitement builds as Reiners prepare for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy
Reiners representing 25 national federations will compete in 2014 edition of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy. 16 nations (AUS, AUT, BEL, BRA, CAN, DEN, FIN, FRA, GBR, GER, ITA, MEX, NED, POL, SWE, USA) will participate with teams and 9 (CHI, CZE, DOM, HUN, ISR, MAR, RSA, SUI, SVK), with individuals only. A total of 89 horse-rider combinations will leave their mark in Normandy.
The international reining stage has changed dramatically since 2000 when the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) accepted Reining for International Competition and the first Western Discipline was inducted into the World Equestrian Games in 2002. The first-ever Reining Team medalists were USA (Gold), Canada (Silver) and Italy (Bronze). The Individual medalists were Shawn Flarida (US) Gold, Tom McCutcheon (US) Silver and Shawna Sapergia (Canada), Bronze.
In 2006, the podium of the team competition remained the same as in 2002. The individual medalists in Aachen, Germany, following a run-off for the Gold, saw Duane Latimer of Canada slide to the highest step of the podium followed by Tim McQuay (USA), who took the Silver, and by yet another American competitor - Aaron Ralston (USA) - who claimed the Bronze. Four years later, in Kentucky, yet again the Gold medal went to the US in the team competition. This time around, Belgium thrilled the crowd and took the Silver and, once again, Italy took the Bronze. In the individual competition, Tom McCutcheon and Gunners Special Nite (USA) won the Gold medal, Craig Schmersal and Mister Montana Nic (USA) the Silver and Duane Latimer, with Dun Playin Tag (CAN), the Bronze.
Team favorites:
Anticipation runs high as the international reining fans await the start of the Games. Team favorite is once again from the US. Riding for the Stars and Stripes are NRHA 5 Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida aboard Michell Kimball's Spooks Gotta Whiz; NRHA 2 Million Dollar Rider Mandy McCutcheon with Yellow Jersey; NRHA Million Dollar rider Jordan Larson with HF Mobster; NRHA 3 Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani riding Custom Cash Advance; Troy Heikes on Lil Gun Dun It and NRHA Million Dollar Rider Tom McCutcheon with Dun Git A Nicadual. Tom is a team veteran, but Heikes and Fappani, like Mandy and Larson, are new to the Games.
Mandy is no stranger to top reining competition but this will be a ‘team first’. The non professional rider is the first woman to make it on the American team and her horse, Yellow Jersey (owned by her father Tim McQuay) was part of Team Italy in 2010, under the saddle of Stefano Massignan.
Defending the medals:
Canada has been on the team and individual podium in all editions of the WEG and this year, Josiane Gauthier, Lisa Coulter, Matt Hudson and Cody Sapergia will be riding for their flag.
Italy, another ‘podium veteran’ is also getting ready to defend the past medals earned. Stefano Angelucci (team reserve in 2010), Pietro Artinghelli, Manuel Cortesi, Stefano Ferri, Gennaro Lendi (individual Gold at the 2008 FEI Reining World Championship) and Giuseppe Prevosti will be vying for the medals.
Preparing to defend the Silver medal earned in the past edition of the Games is Belgium. Once again, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Bernard Fonck will be riding for his country. Team veteran Cira Baeck, along with non professional Piet Mesdagh and young Matyas Gobert will be joining them.
Competition will be tough and excitement high as athletes from around the world will be sliding on the international reining stage starting Monday, August 25. The first medals will be awarded the following day.
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