Lexington, KY - The Adequan U.S. Reining Team started off competition today for the United States athletes at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). Today's competition in the Reining World Championships presented by John Deere was part 1 and 2 of the Team Competition and the first round of the Individual Qualifying Competition.

Tim McQuay of Tioga, TX, and Hollywoodstinseltown, owned by David and Bonnie Silva, were the first American duo and they set the tone with a strong performance. They went into the early lead with a score of 220.5, and finished the day tied for third place with German reiner Grischa Ludwig on Hot Smokin Chex.

McQuay felt very positive about his ride today. "It's amazing no matter what you do. When you go represent your country, you want to be there. The crowd here was great," he said.

Hollywoodstinseltown is a horse that McQuay could count on. "He's so talented and he's very, very fun to ride. But, he's a little technical too because he has so much talent. You always know that you have plenty of horse," he described.

Of his pattern today, McQuay said, "I think he stopped really good. I think that was probably the best part. I goofed up the first turn around a little bit, and then I had a half point penalty in my second turn around. I got my timing off just a smidgen. He's quick enough that it doesn't look bad, but he can be better. Other than that, he circled good and he stayed where I wanted him to be."

When asked if he still gets butterflies for competition, McQuay smiled, "When I quit getting nervous, I won't do it anymore."

Craig Schmersal of Overbrook, OK, put in a great pattern with Mister Montana Nic, owned by the Mister Montana Nic Syndicate and received a score of 223.5 and secured second place. Italian Stefano Massignan is leading with Yellow Jersey and a score of 224.

"It's been a long time waiting for this. The horse showed great. I felt great about my ride today. I was hoping he would be right around there somewhere and he came through for me like he normally does. I was excited to start it off like that," Schmersal said afterward.

Of Mister Montana Nic, he said, "We started him as a two-year-old, so I've been riding him for 10 years. This is what he does, and it's why he's on a team. He just comes out and he's a hard knocker. He's happy doing his job and he's Old Faithful for me. All parts of it are solid for him. He turns good, he circles good, and he stops hard. He doesn't have any holes. He doesn't take any extra loping, and he was unaffected when we walked in the gate with all these people. That's the kind that you need to bring here."

Schmersal admitted to some nerves as he walked in the in-gate. "I don't usually get nervous, but I get more nervous for this event than any other event we go to all year. It means a lot to me to be a strong part of our team. I don't want to let those guys down. I've looked up to those guys all my life and I don't want to have to apologize to anybody."

Schmersal said of the Alltech Arena, where competition takes place, "The facility is first-class, the footing is great, the coliseum is great and it holds a lot of people. We couldn't ask for more."

McQuay and Schmersal have put the Adequan U.S. Reining Team into first place in the Team Competition with 444 points, with Austria in second and Brazil in third place.

Tomorrow, Sunday, September 26, the third part of the Team Competition will commence at 7:30 a.m. and part four will start at 11 a.m., with Tom McCutcheon on Gunners Special Nite and Shawn Flarida with RC Fancy Step competing for the Adequan U.S. Reining Team.

Tom McCutcheon noted of the Adequan U.S. Reining Team's performance today, "It's good that they laid down some really good runs today, it maybe takes some pressure off. I feel comfortable going forward, for sure. I think we're in a good spot right now."

Shawn Flarida added, "They went and did their jobs. Hopefully we can go out and do our jobs tomorrow and it will all work out great."

The Team Awards Ceremony will immediately follow the conclusion of competition.

ENDS

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