Re: RC: USA Team announcement

[Teddy Lancaster <Teddy@runningbear.com>]

DebiG54@aol.com wrote:

> 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
>
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I am not officially involved, I just can pass on what I hear, so it is rumor and
conjecture.

First, Darolyn nominated on Albanet, so nothing has changed with this pair.

Melissa was first alternate, but as you know, USET does not pay to transport
alternates.  Valerie paid for Charbiel's shipment to France to possible use as
her choice of mount.  Evidently, but have no first-hand knowledge, Valerie feels
Charbiel the better choice.

Samson has had tying up problems and since Darla is in too much pain to ride and
RamsZ is great, the decision was to use the riders and horses that we had.  That
left an empty slot.  Jan was second alternate on both her horses were not right.
Since Timmy was available and Melissa preferred to crew for her own horse, it was
agreed to make the changes as stated.

Bear in mind, the US is one (if not the only) nation to adhere to any rule
regarding the changing of horses and riders.  It is not an FEI rule.


--
Teddy Lancaster

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