Photo via Wikimedia Commons
We’ve been waiting for the announcement all day, and it finally arrived: The Team USA riders and horses who will look to shore up a ticket to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with a top showing at the Pan American Games are:
- Phillip Dutton and Tom Tierney and Simon Roosevelt’s Fernhill Cubalawn or Tom Tierney and Annie Jones’ Fernhill Fugitive
- Lauren Kieffer and Marie Le Menestrel’s Meadowbrook’s Scarlett
- Marilyn Little and Raylyn Farm Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Scandalous
- Boyd Martin and the Pancho Villa Syndicate’s Pancho Villa
So what did Team USA have to say after a grueling selection process — one Coach David O’Connor called “very competitive” with one of the strongest groups we’ve had gunning for a team like this in a long time? Let’s break it down in alphabetical order of the riders (you might want to read our full analysis on the team selection process first).
THE TEAM
Phillip Dutton: The fact that the selectors have named Phillip Dutton with either Tom Tierney and Simon Roosevelt’s Fernhill Cubalawn or Tom Tierney and Annie Jones’ Fernhill Fugitive shows just how much they value Big Phil’s experience in a scenario they’ve deemed “must win.”
Phillip said last week he hopes to take Fernhill Cubalawn to Aachen in August for the Nations Cup, and he confirmed again to EN tonight that he still wants to take Fernhill Cubalawn to Aachen and aim Fernhill Fugitive for the Pan Ams.
Regardless of which horse ultimately goes to Toronto, Phillip said he’s excited to have them named to the team, especially since Tom Tierney is a partner in both horses; Annie Jones has been a longtime and extremely dedicated supporter of his; and Simon Roosevelt put his faith in Fernhill Cubalawn last year, with the horse going on to be this year’s USEF CCI4* National Champion.
“I’m excited to get to represent the U.S. again, and it’s a very important championship for us. Hopefully we’ll have a great performance that will set us up for the Olympics. I think it’s a great team,” Phillip said. He added that both “Cuba” and “Jack” came out of their first four-star at Rolex Kentucky feeling great and are in good form as we look ahead to Toronto.
Lauren Kieffer: New team member alert! The stars have been aligning for Lauren Kieffer, starting last year with winning the USEF National CCI4* Championship at Rolex Kentucky with Team Rebecca’s Veronica and converging this year with an exciting number of young up-and-coming horses waiting in the wings for the U.S. Pan Ams team.
Our hearts broke a little when Red Hills CIC3* winner Czechmate was sidelined from qualifying for the Pan Ams due to a minor injury, but then Marie le Menestrel’s Meadowbrook’s Scarlett swooped in and sealed the deal. And, as a cherry on top, Lauren also has Jacqueline Mars’ Vermiculus named to the reserve list.
“It’s been a lot of hard work for a lot of different people, and so many have invested in me over the years, from Marie le Menestrel, who owns Meadowbrook’s Scarlett, to Jacqueline Mars, who owns Vermiculus,” Lauren said. “I’m extremely grateful to them and thrilled for both owners to have horses named to the team and as an alternate.”
While Lauren is a Young Riders veteran, this is her first time on a senior team, and she said she’s grateful for the opportunity and excited to play a part in this next phase for Team USA. “I hope we’re in a transitioning phase and really do start delivering in major competitions — not just because I’m a part of the team, but because I want to see us succeed,” Lauren said. “It will take a lot of work, and it’s up to us now to make this happen.”
Marilyn Little: New team member alert! Marilyn is another rider reveling in her first appointment to Team USA tonight — one some argued should have come with RF Demeter at last year’s World Equestrian Games. RF Scandalous’ spot on the team is made more special by the fact that Phoebe and Michael Manders own half of the horse; they also owned half of RF Smoke on the Water.
“I am incredibly fortunate to have a strong support system of family, owners, support staff and sponsors who have each made this opportunity possible; each of them is so deserving of endless thanks for their support,” Marilyn said.
“It is incredibly special that Scandalous is owned by Phoebe and Mike Manders and my parents Ray and Lynne Little. The Manders have been inspiring — strong enough to stay the course through the highs and lows that are often an intrinsic part of horse sports. My parents have jumped each jump with me, every step of the way, both on course and in life. There are no words to describe my appreciation for all that their belief has made possible.”
Marilyn said she hopes to “make the red, white and blue proud” and that she knows the real work is only just beginning: “There isn’t a horse or rider who hasn’t worked really hard for this, but in my mind the real work starts tomorrow. Today is a happy day. Now you make sure you are the best horseman you can possibly be.”
Boyd Martin: The U.S. Pan Ams team is a nice balance of veteran members and newbies, and Boyd Martin is certainly no stranger to Team USA. He played a smart hand this spring, pulling the Pancho Villa Syndicate’s Pancho Villa from Rolex Kentucky to target the final Pan Ams selection trial at Jersey Fresh, and it paid off with a spot on the team.
“I’m very honored and proud to be named on the team. I think Pancho is perfectly suited for this competition, and I’m very thankful to his owners for supporting him. We’re looking forward to getting down to business in Toronto,” Boyd said.
“There’s a huge amount of pressure and responsibility that comes with it because of the scenario the country is in. In my point of view, it’s a must-win competiion, and the result here could have huge ramifications for the country. Like any other time to represent America, I’m taking this competition extremely seriously.”
Interestingly, Boyd has developed five major syndicates for Team USA since changing his nationality (sorry, Australia!) and all the horses have gone on to represent the country in key competitions: Neville Bardos at WEG in 2010, Otis Barbotiere at the Olympics in 2012, Trading Aces and Shamwari at WEG in 2014, and now Pancho Villa at the Pan Ams in 2015.
“Some of my owners have been in on all the syndicates, and I have to thank all of Pancho’s owners for the support,” Boyd said. Let’s give the whole Pancho crew a shoutout: Ron and Densey Juvonen, Kathleen Crompton, Doug and Cindy Howe, Mike and Anne Laver, Steve Blauner, Andrew and Sandra Holden, David and Nancy Hathaway, Craig and Gloria Callen, George and Gretchen Wintersteen, and Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels.
THE ALTERNATES
The selectors could name up to 12 alternates for Team USA, and we ultimately saw six combinations named. Here they are in alphabetical order:
Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda: It is fantastic to see Jennie back in the selectors’ good graces after they left her off the 2015 USEF Winter/Spring Training Lists. While “Ping” had a pesky 20 at the Head of the Lake at Rolex, he did win the selection trial at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI3* last fall — not easy by any means. We’re still hoping Jennie uses her free Dutta Corp flight to go to Australia and shows everyone what’s up at Adelaide. What do you say, Tim?
Matt Brown and BCF Belicoso: This has to be a bittersweet day for Matt, as he came into the season with three very qualified horses and is only named to the alternate list with one. All we can say is that Matt and his wife Cecily are extremely hardworking and dedicated to this sport. It is because of the Browns and owners like Mary McKee and the lovely people at Blossom Creek Foundation that the sport will rise again in this country. Go Super Hero Horses.
Will Faudree and Pfun: I think we were all disappointed not to see Caeleste at Jersey Fresh, but Will has another very exciting two-star horse in Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables’ Pfun, who has continued to chip away at his dressage score since moving up to the two-star level. Will is an experienced Team USA competitor, and Pfun did finish on a score of 47.0 at Ocala — a very exciting combination for the future.
Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus: Lauren is the only rider to have a horse named to both the main team and alternate list, and she has an exciting partner in Jacqueline Mars’ Vermiculus. He’s done only one CCI2* in his career so is a bit green to the level, but he finished on his dressage score of 47.0 at Ocala in good company — keep your eyes on this one.
Michael Pollard and Cyrano: This is where I thought we might see Michael and Carl Bouckaert’s Cyrano after a winter and spring season of highs and lows. Though they won the final selection trial at Jersey Fresh CCI2* on a score of 36.9, they also had runouts at two events earlier this season, including a selection trial. The selectors preach consistent good form for a reason.
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum: This is a combination I think had to have been extremely close to making the team — if only they had a few more competitions together under their belt to prove their consistency. There’s not much more to say aside from the fact that Ellen and Alex Ahearn’s Mai Baum is a star in all three phases, Tamie Smith is a fierce and extremely talented competitor, and these two are destined for greatness.
What do you think of Team USA’s squad for the Pan American Games? Let us know in the comments below. Go Eventing.
[USEF Names Team and Alternate Members for Pan American Games]
