Updated 8th July 2021
US Equestrian has announced a substitution to the U.S. Eventing Olympic Team ahead of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Deniro Z, a 13-year-old KPWN gelding ridden by Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (Lexington, Ky.) and owned by Ocala Horse Properties, has been withdrawn from the team and will be replaced by Doug Payne (Aiken, S.C.) and Vandiver, a 17-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Debi Crowley, Doug Payne, and Jessica Payne.
Following pre-travel horse evaluations, veterinary concerns prompted additional diagnostic testing of Deniro Z prior to the team’s departure to Europe for Pre-Export Quarantine. Following a thorough review of the testing results, it was determined it is in the best interest of the horse to be withdrawn from the team after confirming he has sustained an injury. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Tamra Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) and Mai Baum, a 15-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell will be moved into the traveling reserve position.
Will Faudree (Southern Pines, N.C.) and Mama’s Magic Way, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables will become the first alternates, and Will Coleman (Gordonsville, Va.) and Off The Record, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Off The Record Syndicate, will now travel to Pre-Export Quarantine in Aachen, Germany as the second alternate combination.
Updated 23rd June 2021
Boyd Martin's Luke 140 has been withdrawn from consideration for the USA team following a minor injury and will be replaced by another of his top horses, Tsetserleg TSF, a 14-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Christine Turner, Thomas Turner, and Tommie Turner
"Unfortunately Luke 140 looks like he has tweaked his leg on his last gallop. My gut feeling is that if I push on with him towards the Tokyo Olympics that it could turn into a bad injury" says Boyd
"Luke is a young horse and has a huge future ahead of him and I believe its better to save him for another day. This is a heartbreaking decision as Luke has been in fantastic form in his training in the build up towards Tokyo"
"I am very grateful that I have a tremendous replacement horse in Thomas (Tsetserleg) whom is also in sizzling condition. I would like to thank and tell the group of owners behind Luke how sorry I am"
Read our interview with Boyd on Tokyo selection here
28th May 2021
US Equestrian has announced the four athlete-and-horse combinations who will represent the U.S. Eventing Olympic Team as part of Team USA at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander and Team Leader Jenni Autry. Competition will begin July 30 and continue through August 2, 2021, at the Equestrian Park and Sea Forest Cross-Country Course venues.
Three combinations will compete as a team with one traveling reserve. Two direct reserves have been named alongside six alternate combinations.
“I believe we have a competitive team to represent the U.S. in Tokyo. All the horses have had a little break, and we will now be working to improve some details we identified at the Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L and Jersey Fresh CCI4*-L before we head to the team’s Mandatory Outing at Great Meadow in Virginia” commented Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander.
“Following that outing, we travel to our Pre-Export Quarantine in Aachen, Germany. This is a great facility and will function as our final training camp where we will be working with dressage judges and have Peter Wylde working with us on the show jumping. This is a very focused group of athletes who are committed to delivering a top performance in Tokyo.”
Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Z, a 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Thomas Tierney, Ann Jones, Caroline Moran, Simon Roosevelt, and Suzanne Lacy
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (Lexington, Ky.) and Deniro Z, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Ocala Horse Properties
Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Luke 140, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by The Luke 140 Syndicate
First Direct Reserve: Tsetserleg TSF, a 14-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Christine Turner, Thomas Turner, and Tommie Turner
Second Direct Reserve: On Cue, a 15-year-old Selle Français mare owned by Christine Turner, Boyd Martin, Thomas Turner, and Tommie Turner
The following combination has been named as the traveling reserve:
Doug Payne (Aiken, S.C.) and Vandiver, a 17-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Debi Crowley, Doug Payne, and Jessica Payne
The following combinations have been named as team alternatives and are listed in selected order:
First Alternate: Tamra Smith (Murietta, Calif.) and Mai Baum, a 15-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell
Second Alternate: Will Faudree (Southern Pines, N.C.) and Mama’s Magic Way, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables
Third Alternate: Will Coleman (Gordonsville, Va.) and Off The Record, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Off The Record Syndicate
Fourth Alternate: Sydney Elliott (Bossier City, La.) and QC Diamantaire, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Carol Stephens
Fifth Alternate: Bruce Davidson (Unionville, Pa.) and Carlevo, a 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Katherine O’Brien
Sixth Alternate: Lauren Nicholson (The Plains, Va.) and Vermiculus, a 14-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding owned by Jacqueline Mars
All team nominations are subject to United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee approval.
