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Debbie
McDonald Named USET Athlete of the Month for March 2003
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Gladstone,
NJ—April 1, 2003—Debbie McDonald of Hailey, ID was named
the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Athlete of the Month
for March after she finished second in the 2003 Dressage World
Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden. McDonald produced the best finish
ever turned in by a U.S. rider at the Dressage World Cup Final.
McDonald, riding Brentina, owned by Peggy Thomas, finished second
with a score of 72.28% in the Grand Prix which was used to determine
the starting positions for the Grand Prix Freestyle where she
earned her second-place finish with a score of 78.89%.
The
best previous finish by a U.S. rider was fourth by Robert Dover
in 1988 and by Carol Lavell in 1992.
At
the 2002 World Equestrian Games McDonald and Brentina helped the
U.S. dressage squad capture the team Silver Medal, marking the
best finish ever for a United States dressage team in any World
Championship or Olympic Games. Individually, McDonald had this
country’s best performance in history by coming in fourth.
The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization
that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest
possible standard to represent our country in major international
competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships.
To accomplish this, the USET seeks out and nurtures the development
of talented athletes - riders, drivers and horses - and provides
the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest
potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908)
234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org
.
