With the conclusion of the Twin Rivers Horse Trials in Paso Robles, CA, the 2009 Adequan United States Eventing Association (USEA) Gold Cup Series has officially ended. Throughout the year the Gold Cup Leaderboard shuffled around quite a bit, but in the end Leslie Law and Fleeceworks Mystere Du Val finished at the top almost 200 points above second-place winner Jennie Brannigan and Cooper.
"It is so great to have won the Gold Cup," Law delightedly said. "I am so thankful to all the sponsors that make this series possible."
Law started out the Gold Cup season strong with a second-place finish at the Fork Stables Horse Trials, which was only the second Gold Cup event of the year. For his red ribbon, Law earned 175 points on the Gold Cup Leaderboard. Later in the season, Law headed to the Richland Park Horse Trials where he took home an Adequan USEA Gold Cup Trophy, $500 in prize money, a seven-dose box of Adequan, a three-month supply of Succeed, an E.A. Mattes Couture Pad, and a pair of Nunn Finer American Style open front boots for his win in the CIC*** division. Law also earned 200 points and an additional 40 bonus points for a double-clear show-jumping round.
"I didn't set out this season to run in the Gold Cup Series, but after my win at Richland I started thinking about it," Law explained. "I had the choice to run at the Bit of Britain/USEA American Eventing Championships or the Plantation Field Horse Trials. Since I had quite a few points, I decided to head to the AEC and give the Gold Cup a chance."
Law's gamble paid off and with a victory in the Advanced division at the AEC, he secured the win of the 2009 Gold Cup Series.
As the overall Adequan USEA Gold Cup winner, Law will receive a hefty check for $10,000 and a huge trophy at the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention, which will be held in Reston, VA, this December.
"The $10,000 is going to be split with Fleeceworks Mystere Du Val's owners, Beatrice and Guy Rey-Herme, but my portion will still be a huge help," Law said. "With a baby on the way, I am sure the check will be swallowed up very quickly!"
Last year's Intermediate Gold Cup champions, Jennie Brannigan and Cooper, were neck-and-neck with Law and Mystere du Val throughout the year, but had to settle for reserve champion at the close of the series.
About The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series
The Gold Cup Series is comprised of destination events throughout the country. In 2009, the series had eight premiere events, at each competition, the top division offered at the competition is the designated "Gold Cup" division, whether it be a CIC***, Advanced, or a CIC**.
Horses and riders must achieve points together as a pair at the Gold Cup events, and both must be members of the USEA. First-place winners take home 200 points for their win, and can also earn bonus points: 50 extra points for double-clear cross-country rounds, and 40 extra points for double-clear show jumping rounds. To learn more about how horses and riders rack up points, visit the Gold Cup Points System page.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors—Title: Adequan; Legacy: Nunn Finer, Nutrena, and E.A Mattes; Contributing: Cover-All, and Patron: Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, and Succeed.
Adequan is proud to be the official joint therapy treatment of the USEA.
For more information on the Gold Cup Series or USEA sponsorship, contact Jo Whitehouse at (703) 669-9999 or email [email protected].