Gold For USA At The World Equestrian Games
The USA have achieved their fifth consecutive gold in the Team Reining competition at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tyron, North Carolina.
The gold-medal winning team consisted of Casey Deary riding Hilldale Farm’s Heavy Duty Chex, Cade McCutcheon with Custom Made Gun, Daniel Huss riding MS Dreamy and Jordan Larson with ride, Arc Gunnabeabigstar.
Deary and Hilldale Farm’s Heavy Duty Chex were the first pair to enter the pen, scoring a respectable 223.5. As the competition progressed, McCutcheon, the youngest rider performing for Team USA, set the bar high scoring 229 in the first section of the competition.
Speaking of his performance at this year’s WEG, an enthusiastic McCutcheon said;
I’ve been riding this horse since he was a 4-year-old and he keeps getting better every year. This is the highest score I have ever posted and being able to get this done representing my country is truly an honour!”
The second section of the competition saw Team USA members, Huss with MS Dreamy and Larson riding Arc Gunnabeabigstar respectively scoring 226.5 and 225.5 and securing the top podium position for the team.
Jeff Petska, Team USA’s historical coach, credited the hard work the gold-winning team had put into the competition;
All these riders did a phenomenal job and what took place behind the scenes is probably the most meaningful part for me. A special thank you goes to our team vet, Dr. Newcombe, and all our grooms.”
Team Belgium claimed silver with rider, Bernard Fonck and What A Wave scoring 226.5 with a fantastic pattern #8.
This horse is simply amazing. He is an outstanding athlete who always gives me his heart and today, once again, gave me all he had.”
Ann Fonck with Made in Wallla and Dries Verschuren, riding his own Smart N Sparkin sealed the silver. The final score for Team Belgium was 671.5 points.
Team Germany grasped bronze with a final score of 666.5, just half a point above Team Austria. The bronze team consisted of competitors Grischa Ludwig and Ruf Lil Diamond, Markus Suechling and Spotlight Charly, Robin Schoeller riding Wimpy Kaweah and Julia Schumacher with Coeurs Little Tyke.
The first qualifier for the Individual Reining Competition has also taken place, with the top 15 riders automatically pathing their way toward an individual reining medal. The second qualifier will take place today (Thursday 13 September), the top five riders earning a chance to stand on the podium.
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Journalist and News Reporter, Everything Horse
Reporting on equestrian news stories, Abby also produces a variety of engaging content for the magazine.