photo: Becky Pearman
24 October 2015 Santo Domingo, Chile – The U.S. team put forth a great effort on Friday, 23 October, during the 2015 FEI World Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors. Leading the way for the U.S. was Mary Kathryn Clark (Eatonton, Ga.) who finished 21st with a time of 7:32:37. Clark, who rode her own Questafir, a 2004 Arabian gelding, had a personal best finish in these championships after placing 37th in 2011.
The remaining members of the U.S. team were unable to overcome the challenges the course presented: Christina Kimery (Bixby, Okla.) and Jeremy and Ellen Olson’s Bey Gibby, a 2001 Arabian gelding; Katie Baldino (Marietta, Ga.) and Clark’s 2006 Arabian gelding Kalilas Legacy; Mallory Capps (Cumming, Ga.) and Lori Shifflett’s Magical Mikada, a 2003 Arabian gelding, and Maria Muzzio (Clifton, Va.) and Natalie Muzzio’s Laconic, a 2002 Arabian gelding, were pulled at vet checks along the way.
“Today did not go as we hoped, but I can’t be more proud of this team. They did everything that was asked of them, took care of each other, and most importantly, their equine athletes. What we learned during the selection process and our time in Chile will help us move forward and develop the Team for the 2017 FEI World Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors. Congratulations to Mary Kathryn on finishing her young rider career with a completion today,” said USEF Chef d’Equipe Mark Dial.
The nation of Bahrain won the 2015 FEI World Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors. Fahad Al Khatri of Bahrain is the Individual World Champion.
~ From the USEF Communications Department