USET Foundation: TEAM USA Pep Rally Leads to Nations Cup Victory at CSIO Wellington

Source: News Release/PMG Inc.

TEAM USA Pep Rally Leads to Nations Cup Victory at CSIO Wellington

Wellington, FL - - On Friday, March 1, seven countries gathered in Wellington, FL, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center to compete in the CSIO Wellington, $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Competition. Just prior to the event, the United States Equestrian Team Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation hosted a TEAM USA Nations Cup Pep Rally Reception in the Special Events Pavilion to bring together the U.S. fans and supporters and generate team spirit among the group. Many of the guests also showed their confidence in the American team by pledging their support for each clear round a U.S. rider jumped during the evening's Nations Cup, raising $27,000 for the Show Jumping High Performance programs.

During the Pep Rally Reception, USET Foundation President, Tucker Johnson, and USEF President, Chrystine Tauber, set the stage and pumped up the crowd for an incredible night. The U.S. team horse owners were recognized, as well as the riders who would be competing the following night on the Children's, Junior and Young Rider Nations Cup Teams for the United States. Guests enjoyed cocktails and an All American Picnic Dinner, as well as festive red, white and blue decorations. Prior to the Nations Cup, over 30 pony riders created posters for the "Team USA Poster Contest," featuring two poster contest divisions. The winner of the Favorite Team Horse category was Sidney Saltamacchia for her poster of Reed Kessler's Cylana, while Abbegail Molea picked up the award for her Team USA Spirit poster.

The Young Rider, Junior and Children's Nations Cup teams served as the judges of the contest, and all winners received a signed copy of Hunter Seat Equitation by George H. Morris, as well as a USET Foundation blanket and USEF shirt.

TEAM USA Poster Contest Coordinator Emily Riden commented, "The children really enjoyed making the posters, and it also presented a wonderful opportunity for them to learn more about the Nations Cup and the history for the United States Equestrian Team. They were very excited to support our riders on such an important night."

The "USA" section during the Nations Cup was full of excited spectators as the team of Kent Farrington with Uceko, owned by RCG Farm, Reed Kessler with her own Cylana, Laura Kraut with Cedric, owned by Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc. and Beezie Madden with Simon, owned by Abigail Wexner prepared to take the field, led by new U.S. Show Jumping Chef d'Equipe, Robert Ridland.

All four riders were able to produce at least one flawless effort with Kessler delivering the double clear. The team took the early lead after the first round with their outstanding performances carrying forward to the second round 0 faults, and they never gave it up. In the second round only the first three U.S. riders had to jump as it was clear that no one could surpass the United States, meaning Madden did not have to jump a second time as the victory was already sewn up.

Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland noted, "I had incredible support from the riders, not just these four, but from other riders too. We have a great future in front of us. The owners of all four of the horses immediately said "yes", and that sure makes my job a whole lot easier. This was a whole lot of fun!"

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America's elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.
For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE atwww.uset.org.