Jordan Linstedt and Revitavet Capato. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
We are excited to share the news that three west coast riders have been selected to receive Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grants!
These grants are given to help offset travel costs for athletes who have shown potential to represent the United States in future international competition. Tamie Smith, Jordan Linstedt and Alexis Helffrich will all travel across the country to compete in the CCI3* at The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International next week, Oct. 12-15.
Tamie Smith and Wembley. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Fair Hill winner in 2015, Tamie Smith has three entries next weekend: Judy McSwain’s Fleeceworks Royal and Kevin Baumgardner’s Wembley will compete in the three-star and Sunsprite Warmblood’s Sunsprite Syrius in the two-star. She’s already made the trek to the east coast, competing at Stable View last weekend where she finished 8th and 15th in the Advanced with Fleeceworks Royal and Wembley, respectively.
“It’s a huge honor to be able to receive a grant like this,” she said. “It’s really beneficial because we’re away from our businesses while traveling, and to be away for a month to go to the East Coast across the country is not only financially taxing but also hard on our businesses as well.
“You feel like you’re picking the right horses and doing the right things when you get validation by receiving a grant like this so it’s really exciting. I’m very honored and very excited. Thank you to Jacqueline Mars for the investment she’s put into the sport. It really means a lot to have been a recipient of something like this.”
Jordan Linstedt and Revitavet Capato. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Jordan Linstedt and her own & Barbara Linstedt’s Revitavet Capato are proven pairs at this level, winning the Bromont CCI3* this spring. This pair finished 7th in the Advanced at the American Eventing Championships before also completing the CIC3* at Plantation Field where they finished 14th.
Jordan has produced Capato from the beginning, and she says after Fair Hill she has plans to compete him overseas in 2018. At 25, this is her first major grant, and she sees it as a reflection of all the hard work put in.
“It’s unbelievable to get the opportunity to do what I love to do and travel. Hopefully I can utilize those funds to get the best coaching and training that I might not have been able to get before. Now I feel like I can be as best prepared as possible to have the best result at Fair Hill.”
Alexis Helffrich and London Town. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Alexis Helffrich is an up-and-coming rider who is slated to compete in the CCI3* with Pamela William’s London Town. Originally from France, Alexis is now based in Pleasanton, California.
He and London Town finished 4th in the CIC3* at Rebecca Farm, and 8th in the Advanced at Twin Rivers two weeks ago. Fair Hill will be this pair’s first CCI3*.
We would like to wish these riders good luck next weekend! And a huge thank you goes to Jacqueline Mars and the USET Foundation for helping our riders so they can focus on the competition.
