Horses - U.S. RIDERS TRIUMPH IN EUROPE - July 2001 - equiworld.net

U.S. RIDERS TRIUMPH IN EUROPE

USA Equestrian (formerly AHSA) announced today that U.S. riders triumphed in major show jumping classes at European competitions this past weekend by scoring an unprecedented double-header at the Hickstead Royal International Show, UK on July 29, 2001. Candice King from Wellington, FL riding Penlyn Farms nine year-old French chestnut stallion, Elu de la Hardiere (by Laudanum out of Real Star II) won the prestigious ladies title, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. King, who earlier this year was the highest placed U.S. rider at the World Cup final, jumped the only double clear round to capture their first major win at the All England Jumping Course after finishing second in a speed class earlier in the show which ran from July 26-29th. She had not competed at Hickstead for ten years and endured unusual temperatures in the 90's to make this result the first time an American has won this class since Mary Chapot and White Lightening triumphed in 1968.

"This is one of my biggest wins, I was a little bit in shock," said an excited King. "We don't have anything like this [class] at home with such a history, it's a very special event. It was very gratifying after all the work that's gone into it; he gave me everything he had. It definitely helps my confidence level going into the Dublin show [August 8-12]," she added.

On the same day, another Wellington-based rider, Norman Dello Joio returned to Hickstead for the first time in 21 years to capture the mens top prize, the King George V Gold Cup to give the U.S. its first win in this class since Frank Chapot scored with Mainstream in 1974. Dello Joio partnered the Dutch-bred gelding, Glasgow, (by Emilion out of Dorinda) owned by the Glasgow Group to victory, also with the only double clear round of the competition in a seven-horse jump-off.

"He's a great all-rounder," said a jubilant Dello Joio of Glasgow. "He may not be the best in the world in any one department, but he's so good at everything and such a trier that I know he'll do whatever I ask."

The U.S. team comprising Norman dello Joio/Glasgow (8+4 faults), Eric Hasbrouck/Ludwig (0+4), Candice King/John EM (4+12), Peter Wylde/Fein Cera (4+8) finished fourth out of seven nations in the Nations Cup.

U.S. Equestrian Inc., as the National Equestrian Federation of the U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship sports of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, and vaulting, as well as 19 other breeds and disciplines of equestrian competition. As the country's largest multi-breed organization, the Federation has over 77,000 members and recognizes more than 2,800 competitions nationwide each year. It governs all aspects of competition, including educating and licensing all judges, stewards, and technical delegates who officiate at
these shows.