Show Jumping Selection Trials for Olympic Games Begin

The USEF Selection Trials for Show Jumping are underway, Feb. 28 – March 9 in Wellington, Fla., and at the end of it all 10 horse-and-rider combinations will be named to the short list for the 2008 Olympic Games. 

Reigning 2004 Olympic Gold medalists Beezie Madden, McLain Ward, Peter Wylde and Chris Kappler are among the 41 contenders entered in the Trials. The field also includes other Olympic and Pan American medalists: Norman Dello Joio, Margie Engle, Lauren Hough, Anne Kursinski, Todd Minikus, Joe Fargis and Cara Raether.

The 10 horse-and-rider combinations named to the short list will travel to Europe to hone their skills and compete against the world’s best in preparation for the Olympic Games, but only four will be selected to wear the American flag in their quest to make history and bring home Olympic Gold.

The USEF Selection Trials for Show Jumping schedule is as follows:

Feb. 28, 7 p.m.
Trial 1, WEF Challenge

March 2, 1 p.m.
Trial 2, $100,000 Zada Enterprises Grand Prix

March 5, 7 p.m.
Trial 3, Selection Trial Horses Only

March 6, 7 p.m.
Trial 4, WEF Challenge

March 9, 1 p.m.
Trial 5, $150,000 CN US Open Grand Prix

Here’s a look at U.S. Olympic Teams that have made show jumping medal history:

2004 Athens: Gold
Peter Wylde /Fein Cera
McLain Ward/ Sapphire
Beezie Madden/ Authentic
Chris Kappler/Royal Kaliber

1996 Atlanta: Silver
Peter Leone /Legato
Anne Kursinski/Eros
Michael Matz/Rhum IV
Leslie Burr Howard/Extreme

1988 Seoul: Silver
Greg Best/Gem Twist
Lisa Jacquin/ For the Moment
Anne Kursinski/Starman
Joe Fargis/ Mill Pearl

1984 Los Angeles: Gold
Joe Fargis/Touch of Class
Conrad Homfeld/Abdullah
Leslie Burr Howard/Albany
Melanie Smith Taylor/Calypso

1972 Munich: Silver
Bill Steinkraus/Main Spring
Neal Shapiro/Sloopy, Kathy Kusner
Fleet Apple
Frank Chapot/White Lightning

1960 Rome: Silver
Frank Chapot/Trail Guide
Bill Steinkraus/Ksar d’Esprit
George Morris/Sinjon

1952 Helsinki: Bronze
Bill Steinkraus/Hollandia
Arthur J. McCashin/Miss Budweiser
John Russell/Democrat

INDIVIDUAL:
2004 Athens: Silver
Chris Kappler/Royal Kaliber

1992 Barcelona: Bronze
Norman Dello Joio/Irish

1988 Seoul: Silver
Greg Best/Gem Twist

1984 Los Angeles:
Gold
Joe Fargis/Touch of Class
Silver
Conrad Homfeld/Abdullah

1972 Munich: Bronze
Neal Shapiro/Sloopy

1968 Mexico City: Gold
Bill Steinkraus/Snowbound

1932 Los Angeles: Silver
Harry Chamberlin/Show Girl