Re: RC: USA Team announcement

[DebiG54@aol.com]

Teddy and all:

I wish nothing but the best results for the US team and squad as announced 
but can't help but question the final pairings.  There are three different 
horse and rider repairings (Darolyn Butler, Marcia Smith, Jan Worthington).  
Darolyn has loaned her horse to Marcia, since Marcia's horse suffered some 
tying up onsite.  Darolyn has switched to Albanet (not sure, but think this 
is Jan's horse).  Jan is riding as an individual on Brown R Timothy, who is a 
wonderful and talented horse, but wasn't nominated or selected for this 
competition.  "Timmy" is owned by Danielle Kanavy McGunigal and traveled to 
France with Valerie Kanavy as one of her possible choices.  I'm sure that 
circumstances have dictated these moves, but a lot of rules are being bent 
that have never been bent before.  Some of the riders and horses who 
nominated and were selected, especially those on the alternate list who 
didn't make the trip, must be astonished at this announcement.

As I recall from the original selection, Jan Worthington was the fifth ranked 
alternate.  How and why was she elevated to the US squad and riding a horse 
(Brown R Timothy) who wasn't even involved in the selection process.  I have 
competed for this country internationally and have never heard of such rule 
bending.  FEI competition is loaded with rules and regulations.  I'm terribly 
confused and concerned about this rule breaking and bending and what it may 
foretell for the future of international competition.

How can anyone in the future who dives into the fray of the international 
scene trust the process?  Again, I hope those who line up tomorrow at the 
starting line have a good day and good fortune.  I'm merely questioning the 
process that put some of them there.

Debi Gordon