Lexington, Ky. – Thomas Hagis and Dr. Margaret Sleeper will represent the United States at the 2016 Longines FEI World Endurance Championships for Seniors in Samorin, Slovakia, Saturday, September 17. Both will enter as individuals, joining 134 combinations from 45 nations striving for top individual and team honors. The competition will begin at one of Europe’s premier sporting centers, the X-Bionic® sphere. Combinations will embark on a five-loop 160 km race encompassing varied terrain along the Danube River and the Carpathian Mountains.

Sleeper (Frenchtown, N.J.) is not a stranger to world championships, competing in the 2006 and 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games and 2008 and 2012 FEI World Endurance Championships for Seniors. She brings her own Shyrocco Rimbaud, who makes his world championship debut. Sleeper and the 2006 Anglo Arabian gelding have produced top placings throughout the year. They took second at the Fort-Howes Zone Team Endurance Challenge in June and won the Biltmore Challenge CEI3* and FITS CEI3* this spring. They also claimed the North American Endurance Team Challenge title last summer.

Hagis (Fries, Va.) will compete in his first world championship with his own Indian Reinman. He and the 2006 Arabian gelding placed second at the Biltmore Challenge CEI2* in May. They just missed the top three at the FITS CEI3*and at the North American Endurance Team Challenge.

FEI TV will livestream the competition beginning at 11:50 p.m. EST on Friday.

Find out more about the 2016 Longines FEI World Endurance Championships for Seniors.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.