Mill Spring, N.C. - Dan Huss, from Scottsdale, Ariz., is one of five athlete-and-horse combinations on the U.S. Reining Squad for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) Tryon. He will bring a toughness and certain focus to his pattern in his first WEG. One of the most well-renowned sports in the United States, the sport of reining takes place the first week of the Games beginning tomorrow September 12, with the team competition, continuing on September 13 and 15. Not only is this Huss’s first time to represent the U.S. at a WEG, but he will also be the only U.S. Squad member in 2018 to compete a mare. Ms Dreamy, an eight-year-old Quarter Horse mare owned by Frederick R. Christen, will be Huss’s mount as the U.S. Reining Team sets their sights on the top of the podium.

Huss has proven to be one of the industry's top professionals. With a multitude of national honors, Huss is a National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Open Futurity and Derby finalist, as well as a National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) finalist. He has garnered futurity and derby championships at major events all over the United States. During the FEI WEG Reining Test Event and qualifier held in May, Huss rode Ms Dreamy to the high score of 224. In the second phase of the competition, they scored a 226 for a 450 composite tie. Huss and Ms Dreamy moved past the tie to finish in first during the FEI 3* reining at the Carolina Classic in Tryon, North Carolina. The FEI 3* reining at the Carolina Classic was exclusively for horses age seven and up, and served as a qualification for international riders who want to represent their countries at the WEG.

Ms Dreamy is a 2010 sorrel mare by Magnum Chic Dream and out of A Gal With A Gun by Colonels Smoking Gun. She was bred by Jana Simons of Aubrey, Texas, and is owned by Frederick R. Christen of Whitehouse, Ohio. “My goal has been to get her solid and consistent. She’s done pretty well so far,” he said.

Huss said riding mares can be different than stallions or geldings saying that they are sometimes not as forgiving. “You want to be sure you use a good technique,” he said. “If you do make a mistake, it might take a mare some time to get over that mistake. On the positive side, riding Ms Dreamy, she is what I would call ‘gritty’ and she can handle the pressure just as well as the boys."

He continued, “Dreamy has been a little bit of a ‘looker,’ but we’ve been really happy with how she's shown, especially at the trials.”

In looking forward to the event, Huss said, “We aren't really trying to change anything leading up to the Games. We are just working on getting her in a little bit better shape so that she can be a little hotter in the arena.” He continued, “There are going to be a lot of nice horses and riders there. Many of the competitors are going to get to Tryon way in advance. Most of the people showing there will be from other countries, and they know what the pressure is all about. So, there is a little extra pressure riding for your country. It’s like the Olympics. It’s always an honor to represent your country. You definitely want to go in there prepared.”

“My team will consist of Rick Christen, Dreamy’s owner, and Wendy, my wife,” continued Huss. “Wendy will be right there. She knows this sport inside out and can help me with any adjustments. I must thank the others back home who are also a part of the team, including the blacksmith, Ryan Holzer and veterinarian, Otto Stanislaw.”

“This is the first time I’ve done the WEG. It will be really exciting. As you ride, you really have that in the back of your mind.”

Be sure to cheer on the U.S. Reining Team tomorrow in the team competition!