USA WEC News

Hagis and Sleeper Give Worthy Effort at 2016 Longines FEI World Endurance Championships for Seniors

RELEASE: September 18, 2016
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: Dana Rossmeier

Samorin, Slovakia – The United States’ Meg Sleeper and Tom Hagis gave a strong effort across a rugged five-loop course at the 2016 Longines FEI World Endurance Championships for Seniors on Saturday. Although they rode with confidence, they were unable to overcome the vigorous challenges the course presented and were pulled at vet checks along the way. Spain won the Team Gold medal while Spain’s Jaume Punti took the Individual Gold medal, finishing the course with a time of 15:46:42 and at an average speed of 23.61 kph.

Sleeper (Frenchtown, N.J.) and Shyrocco Rimbaud progressed along the course at a safe pace. They made it through the fourth loop at 140 km before retiring for the best interest of the 2006 Anglo Arabian gelding. Tom Hagis (Fries, Va.) and his own Indian Reinman, a 2006 Arabian gelding, kept a steady pace but were pulled at a vet check following the third loop at 110 km. For this being Hagis’ first world championship, the developing endurance athlete acquired useful experience. Both athletes represented the U.S. well, effectively managing their horse’s health, and demonstrating the positive things to come for U.S. Endurance.

USA Riders, Horses Preparing for World Endurance Championship

USA's Meg Sleeper and Shyrocco Rimbaud, and Tom Hagis and Indian Reinman are in Samorin, Slovakia, finishing last minute conditioning and preparations for the 2016 World Endurance Championship, which will start at 6 AM on Saturday, September 17.

Sleeper will be represented by two of her horses at the WEC. She also owns Syrocco Rabia, who will be ridden by Fernando Paiz for Guatemala. Additionally, Colin for Gold, owned by USA's Valerie Kanavy, will be ridding by Hirofumi Ono of Japan.

Days are filled with caring for the horses - riding, hand walking, hand grazing, feeding, bandaging, lasering (MR4 ACTIVet cordless, cold laser made by Multi Radiance Medical), and team meetings and meals. Horses moved to a main barn at the venue on Monday. "We are in 'The Hague' barn," said Meg, "which I am hoping will be good luck since Val [Kanavy] won the championship there [in 1994]."

Also on Sunday, the horses were able to pre-ride the blue loop (about 12 miles), the last phase of the event. "The trails for endurance are very firm and in fact there are places it is so well packed it looks almost like concrete. We knew concussion was going to be an issue for the horses with this trail, and ours are all padded to try to minimize the concussion," Meg said.

Currently the forecast for Saturday is 75 degrees with no rain.

Meg discussed the competition aspect of the event. "The scuttlebutt is that the winning speed will be 25kph (or 15.6 mph). That’s a blistering pace over 100 miles, and I don’t doubt there will be people doing it. It is going to be a very interesting event.

"To give some more perspective, the awards ceremony is scheduled for 6pm the night of the race (12 hours after the scheduled start time). I have no doubt that there will be those that attempt it and some will be successful.

"The speeds that some can and have achieved, and to be honest the abilities of all high level equine athletes, keep me in constant awe of the horse. And I suppose that’s what sport and competition is: to push the limits of our capabilities.

"All I am able to say for certain is I will do my absolute best in regards to the competition, but also in regards to trying to keep Rim healthy and happy.

"And I can speak for the USA team (and Guatemala and Japan) when I say we will do it clean."

Ellen Olson and Bey Gibby Withdraw from 2016 Longines/FEI World Endurance Championships

RELEASE: August 24, 2016
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: USEF Communications Department

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation has announced that Ellen Olson has withdrawn her and Jeremy Olson’s 2001 Arabian gelding, Bey Gibby, from the 2016 Longines FEI World Endurance Championships due to veterinary concerns. Although, there is not a definite timeline for Bey Gibby’s return to competition, Olson looks forward to competing with the gelding following recovery.

As a result, Olson (La Motte, Iowa) will not substitute a horse for the competition so the following combinations will represent the United States as individuals:

Thomas Hagis (Fries, Va.) and his own Indian Reinman, a 2006 Arabian gelding

Dr. Margaret Sleeper (Frenchtown, N.J.) and her own Shyrocco Rimbaud, a 2006 Anglo Arabian gelding

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members. Without the support of these organizations and individuals, it would not be possible to support U.S. athletes. The USEF is especially grateful to individuals who give generously of their time and money to support the equestrian teams.

A Mount Laurel veterinarian and her horse prepare to take on endurance event

By Kristen Coppock
August 22 2016

Riding 100 miles on horseback in Europe is just what the doctor ordered for herself.

A veterinarian and accomplished equestrian, Meg Sleeper is preparing to compete next month in the Longines FEI World Endurance Championships 2016 with her appaloosa, Shyrocco “Rim” Rimbaud. Held at the Samorin Equestrian Center in Slovakia, the event runs Sept. 15-18 and features some of the world’s most committed athletes.

“It’s an event that’s done in one day, usually about 12 hours,” said Sleeper, whose practice is affiliated with the Mount Laurel Animal Hospital. “There are multiple checks along the way. Horses are evaluated to make sure they’re fit to go on...”

Read more here:
http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/life-style/local-feature/a-veterinarian-and-her-horse-prepare-to-take-on-endurance/article_275e8d8c-6491-11e6-ac2c-57cdf92d948a.html

USEF Announces Team for the 2016 Longines FEI World Endurance Championships

August 2, 2016
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: USEF Communications Department

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the combinations that will represent the United States at the 2016 Longines FEI World Endurance Championships in Samorin, Slovakia, September 16-17, 2016. They will be led by U.S. Endurance Chef d’Equipe Mike Dial.

The following athlete-and-horse combinations will represent the U.S. in the 2016 Longines FEI World Endurance Championship (listed in alphabetical order):

Thomas Hagis (Fries, Va.) and his own Indian Reinman, a 2006 Arabian gelding

Ellen Olson (La Motte, Iowa) and her own and Jeremy Olson’s Bey Gibby, a 2001 Arabian gelding

Dr. Margaret Sleeper (Frenchtown, N.J.) and her own Shyrocco Rimbaud, a 2006 Anglo Arabian gelding