Karen Kroon of Cheyenne, WY, won the 2005 FEI North American Endurance Championship CEIO**** at the 17th annual Fair Hill International Festival in the Country in Elkton, MD, October 9-10.

Kroon won the continental championship’s Individual Gold medal by finishing the 100-mile ride in a time of 11:45:30 on Rokket, her 11-year-old bay Arabian gelding.

Dominique Freeman of La Honda, CA, who finished in 11:45:50 seconds on Jayel Super, a 13-year-old bay Arabian gelding owned by Stagg and Cheryl Newman, finished second behind Kroon, but as a citizen of Great Britain was not eligible for a medal in the North American Championship, which is open only to riders representing North American countries.

Winning the Individual Silver was Sandra E. Conner of Conowingo, MD who finished third overall with a time of 12:03:32 on Elegant Pride, a 10-year-old gray Arabian gelding owned by Lana Wright. The Bronze medal went to Betty Baker of Honeybrook, PA, who finished fourth overall with a time of 12:03:42 on Synematic, her eight-year-old gray Arabian gelding.

“To win is a real surprise to me,” said Kroon. “My horse has the ability, but there was 10 inches of snow on the ground when we left Wyoming, so this was a real change of climate. We usually train at 7,000 feet and to come here and compete under such drastically different conditions, well, it’s a real thrill and a great honor for us to win.”

The Best Condition Award went to Rebel Fire Bask, owned and ridden by Nicole Chappell Wiere of Elk Grove, CA, who placed ninth with a time of 12:48:21. Receiving an Honorable Mention for Best Condition was the Bronze Medal-winning Elegant Pride,Karen Kroon Wins FEI North American Endurance Championship at 2005 Fair Hill International

The USA Pacific South team of Wiere on Rebel Fire Bask, Barry Waitte of Los Gatos, CA on LV Cambridge, Carolyn Hock of Riverside, CA, on GT Sando, and Heather Reynolds of Los Gatos, CA, on CP Magestic won the Team Gold. Hillorie Bachmann of Cupertino, CA, on CV Eli and Jeff Townsend of Los Gatos, CA, on Kann Sam Count also represented USA Pacific South, riding as individuals. The Team Silver went to Pacific North and the Bronze when to USA Central. USA Mountain was fourth, USA East was fifth, Canada East was sixth and Canada West was seventh.

Detailed results and further information on the 2005 Fair Hill International Festival in the Country is available at www.fairhillinternational.com.


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