Source:  News Release

USEF Announces Hermès USA as Sponsor of the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team

Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce a partnership with Hermès USA as Hermès becomes the sponsor of the U.S. Show Jumping Team.The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team will first appear at theFurusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival on March 28. The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team will also compete at additional Furusiyya FEI Nations Cups and the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.

U.S. team riders will be given the opportunity to wear a specially designed competition show jacket and accessories, including a saddle pad and ear net featuring a distinctive joint logo compliant with Fédération Equestre Internationale rules.

USEF President Chrystine Tauber said, "The USEF is delighted to welcome Hermès as a partner and supporter of our U.S. Show Jumping Team. The United States has a long history with Hermès and we are looking forward to adding a new chapter to our partnership."

Robert B. Chavez, President and CEO of Hermès USA comments, "The horse was our first client and equestrian sport remains at the heart of the culture of the House today. Since Hermès was founded in 1837 as a saddlery, our ateliers have been dedicated to the making of the finest hand-crafted equestrian equipment. This new partnership with the USEF represents our continued commitment, ensuring that riders and horses alike have access to the very best available products to meet the demands of competition at the highest level."

About Hermès

World-renowned for the exceptional quality of its products thanks to a steadfast commitment to handcraftsmanship and use of only the finest materials, Hermès was established in 1837 as a saddle and harness maker with ateliers on the Faubourg St. Honoré in Paris. Hermès was first exhibited in New York during the French Exposition of 1924, with the first boutique opening in Manhattan in 1928.

Today Hermès perpetuates its passionate commitment to the equestrian world, providing a complete product range for the horse, rider and stable. Hermès is the sole presenter and organizer of Le Saut Hermès, a CSI 5* show jumping event held annually at the Grand Palais in the heart of Paris. This year's dates are March 13-15.

The company owns and operates 28 stores in the United States with Flagships on Madison Avenue in New York and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. All stores, including the internet, offer an extensive range of Hermès equestrian products including saddles, technical equipment and apparel.

Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team Draws Sixth in Quest for Sixth Victory in Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm at CSIO4* Wellington
by Helen Murray

Wellington, FL - The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team heads into the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm looking to repeat its victory from last year and secure its sixth win in its home Nations Cup. A total of 12 teams are set to go head-to-head on Friday evening at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center during the feature of CSIO4* Wellington, held in conjunction with the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Two members of the last year's winning team, Laura Kraut and Beezie Madden, return in 2014 with rising star, Brianne Goutal, and two-time Olympic Gold medalist, McLain Ward, rounding out the U.S. effort. Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland will lead the U.S. in its quest for victory on home soil.  

The U.S. has drawn sixth in the order for Friday's Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm; the first round of team competition gets underway at 7pm ET.  

Brianne Goutal (New York, N.Y.) will ride Remarkable Farms' Nice de Prissey.
Nice de Prissey is a 2001 Selle Francais stallion.

Brianne Goutal and Nice de Prissey (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Goutal made a name for herself when she was still in the junior ranks by completing a sweep of the four major U.S. equitation titles, which included the 2004 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals-East, the 2004 Washington International Equitation Classic Finals, the 2005 USEF/Pessoa Hunter Seat Medal Finals, and the 2005 ASPCA Maclay National Championships. She has continued to demonstrate winning form in the jumper ring and was honored with the 2007 Maxine Beard Award, in addition to jumping on multiple U.S. Nations Cup teams. She heads into Friday's Nations Cup competition on strong form, having placed fourth in Adequan Grand Prix CSI4* a week ago.  

Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) will ride Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc.'s Cedric.
Cedric is a 1998 Holsteiner gelding.

Laura Kraut and Cedric (Sportfot)

Kraut brings a wealth of experience to the U.S. effort after jumping on numerous Nations Cup teams, including representing the United States at the 2000 Olympic Games and winning Team Silver at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games. With Cedric, she helped the U.S. to the Team Gold at the 2008 Olympic Games, in addition to representing the United States at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The two-time Olympian will look to showcase the form that earned a third place in the overall standings of the 2013 Longines Global Champions Tour after winning in Wiesbaden with the diminutive grey gelding. The pair also helped the U.S. to jump to a second-place finish in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at CSIO5* Rotterdam.  

Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.) will ride Abigail Wexmer's Simon.
Simon is a 1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding.

Beezie Madden and Simon (Kit Houghton)

Madden enters the 2014 season as the reigning USEF Equestrian of the Year and FEI World Cup Final champion. The three-time Olympic medalist (Team Gold in 2004 and 2008 and Individual Bronze in 2008) and Team and Individual Silver medalist from the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games was a major contributor to the United States' success in 2013. In addition to helping the U.S. team win in Wellington, she aided in an American Consolation Round victory at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final at CSIO5* Barcelona with her World Cup champion, Simon. With Cortes 'C', she contributed to second-place Nations Cup efforts in Rotterdam and Hickstead and a third-place U.S. finish in Dublin.  

McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) will ride Sagamore Farms' Rothchild.
Rothchild is a 2001 Warmblood gelding.

McLain Ward and Rothchild (Tomas Holcbecher/FEI)

Ward also brings a wealth of experience to the U.S. effort in Wellington as he joins his Gold medal-winning teammates from the 2008 Olympic Games, Kraut and Madden. Additionally, his resume boasts earning Olympic Team Gold in 2004, Team Silver at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, and a second-place finish at the 2009 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas. Ward and Rothchild were vital members for the U.S in the Consolation Round victory at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final, second-place efforts in Spruce Meadows and Hickstead, and a third-place finish in Dublin. They head into Friday's Nations Cup competition on strong form after earning a fourth-place finish in the Fidelity Investment Grand Prix and a seventh-place finish in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI-W5* presented by Rolex this year in Wellington.  

The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm is doubly important for the U.S., as not only will the team look to secure victory in the only Nations Cup held in America, but also a strong result will be vital in qualifying for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Season Series Final in October.

To learn more about the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Season visit: http://fei.org/fei/events/fei-nations-cup-series/furusiyya.   

Spectators and fans in attendance at the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm are invited to a Team USA Nations Cup Pep Rally Reception hosted by the USET Foundation and the USEF from 6-7pm on Friday evening. To learn more about this event visit: http://www.usefnetwork.com/news/10923/2014/2/11/junior_and_pony_rid....   

To watch the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm on FEITV.org.    

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