The Three-Gaited section of the U.S. Team consists of Chloe Deeb (Halifax, Mass.), Matt Huke (Westfield, Ind.), Cameron Kay (W. Bloomfield, Mich.), Clara McCool (Newburyport, Mass.), and Faith Robbins (Carmel, Ind.), while Erin Beever (Mansfield, Ill.), Cailin Bridges (Salisbury, Mass.), Laura Plant (Advance, N.C.), Allie Poovey (Winston Salem, N.C.), Hayley Pullen (Sandy, Ore.), and Caroline Rainbolt-Forbes (Oklahoma City, Okla.) make up the Five-Gaited section. These accomplished young athletes have numerous championship titles and top placings between them, and hope to claim highest honors in their overseas debuts.
The event features amateur athletes who compete for individual scores, which ultimately accumulate toward a total team score. The athletes compete on horses they are not familiar with that are supplied by the host competition – a true test of their riding skills. The competition for the Three- and Five-Gaited sections is completed in two phases held over two days: rail work, where the athletes compete as a group, and then individual workouts.
In addition to the team competition, an individual competition will be featured. Each country has the ability to provide one athlete for the Three- and Five-Gaited sections to compete for individual medals.
The 2015 South Africa Saddle Seat Invitational will begin with the draw for horses on Wednesday afternoon, followed by a day of practice sessions on Thursday. Competition begins Friday at 2:00 p.m. SAST and comes to a close on Saturday morning. The Awards Ceremony announcing the winners will take place at 7:00 p.m. SAST.
Without the support of generous organizations and individuals, it would not be possible to support the U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Team.
For more information, please contact Lori Nelson, USEF Assistant Executive Director, National Affiliates, at [email protected].