Katrin Levermann photos... mom of Canadian rider Anya!

Verona

Getting Ready

U.S. Team Makes a Strong Finish a the 2017 FEI World Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors

by US Equestrian Communications Department | Sep 23, 2017

Valeggio sul Mincio, Verona, Italy – The Distance Depot/U.S. Endurance Team met the substantial challenges of Saturday’s 2017 FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors, with three riders completing the course for a successful U.S. team finish. Leading the U.S. team to finish in the 11th position against 16 other national teams, was Chef D’Equipe Mark Dial.

“The entire Team showed a lot of maturity in their riding and professionalism throughout the entirety. There were several obstacles and challenges that were overcome by the athletes and their support staff which led to the success of finishing as a team. The entire team’s preparation was outstanding and I am can’t say enough about their willingness to improve upon their previous successes. Thank you isn’t enough to the Road Crew, Crewmembers, Selectors, and the Veterinary Advisory Group for their unwavering support of the U.S. Endurance Program,” said Dial.

Leading the U.S. across the finish line was Ainsley Suskey (Iola, Wisc.). Riding Julie Jackson’s Princess Deelites MHF, a 10-year-old Arabian mare, Suskey finished 49th overall with a time of 7:40:32. Teammates Annie Whelan (Louisa, Ky.), aboard Amy Wallace-Whelan’s Wallace Hill Leo, a 13-year-old Half-Arabian gelding, and Ragan Kelly (Waco, Texas), riding Tracy Kelly’s HK Kruzier, a 10-year-old Arabian gelding, were not far behind. Whelan completed the course in 8:16:38, finishing in the 53rd position. Overcoming a mishap at the second rest period, Kelly and HK Kruzier finished on a time of 8:16:39, finishing 54th.

Katelyn Baldino (Marietta, Ga.) and Melody Blittersdorf’s Synthetic were unable to complete the race after the third vet check. Dial stated, “Katelyn and Synthetic were primed for this Championship but unfortunately, we had stroke of bad luck which led to their pull for lameness. The pair showed a strong presentation throughout their time here and we can’t thank the Blittersdorf’s and Misty McAdams enough for their care of Synthetic.”

The United Arab Emirates won the 2017 FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors. Saeed Salem Atiq Khamis Almuhairi of the United Arab Emirates is the individual world champion aboard Rabdan.

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The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.

UAE's Al Muhairi crowned equestrian world junior champion

UAE win individual and team gold at Parco Giardino Sigurta in Verona, Italy

Published: 16:51 September 24, 2017 Gulf News
Staff Report

Verona: UAE teen sensation Saeed Al Muhairi was crowned world champion aboard eight-year-old Rabdan at the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) Meydan World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors in Verona, Italy, on Saturday.

The 14-year-old Emirati finished ahead of a field of 93 runners, from 15 teams representing 32 countries over 120-km at the Parco Giardino Sigurta, winning in a time of 4 hours, 58 minutes and 41 seconds at an average speed of 24.21-kmph.

A total of 55 riders finished the four loop ride with Al Muhairi leading the pack in three.

At the end of the first loop, which was 38-km long, he finished first but dropped to third on the second loop, which was 33-km long. However, he regained his lead in the third and fourth loops of 27.5-km and 22-km respectively.

This was Al Muhairi’s 17th career start and his 11th in Europe this summer, where he has been preparing for the World Championships. The M7 Endurance stables rider picked up three wins in CEIYJ2* events in Europe leading up to Verona, the most recent coming on September 2 at Euston Park...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/al-muhairi-crowned-equestrian-world-junior-champion-1.2095119

Katrin Levermann's stories:

Sept 21
Anya went on her first ride with Kataki yesterday. 20 km along wine yards. Everything went well. Vladimir and Lucia are just awesome supporting us in every way.

Sept 19
Today we took the train to Venezia. Hopped on a Vaporetto (water bus ) to the St Marcus Place and explored Venezia on foot. It was a great adventure. Tomorrow we will pick up Glenn from the airport and head to the ride site to meet Vladimir and Lucia with Kataki. Anya is getting really excited.. More later. Bye for now.

Sept 18
Some updates from us. Today we were walking the streets of Verona. The architecture is fascinating. Just one day wasn't enough to see it all. We took tons of photos. Will post more later. Funny it was to run into Melody 's group and then met Annie on the top of Torre dei Lamberti, the tower of Verona. And we had some really awesome pizza and calzone for dinner. Life is good.

16 Teams to contend the World Title

8/09/2017 - evento sportivo

FEI MEYDAN Endurance Championship for athletes under 21 years of age; the curtain will lift shortly.

Lake Garda's bank watching toward Valeggio sul Mincio begins to come to life with the first arrivals, mostly from the more distant Countries.

33 Nations will be present at the big venue organized in and around Sigurtà Garden Park, and 16 of these Nations have been able to present a Team with at least 3 pairs.

We're now waiting for everyone to make their choices and designate those who will defend their Country's colors, and who will be in reserve as well.

The 4 USA riders are: Katelyn Baldino aboard Synthetic, Regan Kelly riding Kharismas Grace, Ainsley Suskey aboard and Princess Deelites MHF, and Annie Whelan riding Wallace Hill Leo.

Anya Levermann will represent Canada aboard Kataki.

Start list is here:
http://www.enduranceonline.it/events/events_details_n.php?gara_id=984&cat=V4_5