Lexington, Ky. – A team of rising stars is ready to represent the U.S. in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Team at CSIO3* Lisbon on Friday. The talented group is looking to gain valuable experience on the international stage in Portugal, as they are riding on their first Nations Cup team. Led by Chef d’Equipe DiAnn Langer, the U.S. team is made up of Heather Caristo-Williams, Alex Granato, Paige Johnson, and Denise Wilson. Nine nations will compete in the Nations Cup competition, with the U.S. drawing fifth in the order.

Caristo-Williams (Saugerties, N.Y.) will make her Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup debut with her parents’, Holly and Ralph Caristo, Evening Star. She and the 2002 Holsteiner gelding were second in the CSI2* Madrid Grand Prix, and aim to show the same great form in Lisbon.

Granato (Salt Lake City, Utah) will ride Page Tredennick’s Mullaghdrin Rado in his first U.S. team experience. He and the 2002 Irish Sport Horse gelding are peaking at the right time, coming off a CSI2*class win at the Longines Global Champions Tour stop in Miami Beach.

Johnson (The Plains, Va.) brings Salamander Farm’s 2003 Belgian Warmblood mare, Dakota, to CSIO3* Lisbon. The pair hopes to capitalize on an already excellent year, including top honors in the $127,000 Engel & Volkers CSI4* Grand Prix in Wellington back in March. 

Wilson (Dousman, Wis.) is experiencing her first summer competing in Europe and with her CSIO3* Lisbon mount, Blue Gate Farm LLC’s 2001 Warmblood gelding, Winter, she finished seventh in the CSI2* Madrid Grand Prix.

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