The U.S.. has depth in show jumping; don’t doubt it. The just-announced short list for this summer’s world championships in Denmark shows that two consequential teams could be named to ride with the Stars and Stripes on their saddlepads.
Five riders will be selected after observation events in Europe, including Aachen, with four to compete (unlike the Olympics, where there were three on a team.
Olympic veterans named include Tokyo Games silver medalists, McLain Ward (Contagious, Kasper van het Hellehof); Laura Kraut (Baloutinue and Confu) and Jessica Springsteen (Don Juan van de Donkhoeve and RMF Zecilie,), as well as Kent Farrington, (Gazelle, Orafina, and Landon) who rode in Japan as an individual.
Kent Farrington and Gazelle. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Then there’s Brian Moggre (Balou du Reventon and Vivre le Reve), a star of the under-25 set; Spencer Smith (Quibelle), another young standout; Lillie Keenan (Agana Van Het Gerendal Z and Argan de Beliard), 2018 World Equestrian Games gold medal team member Adrienne Sternlicht (Benny’s Legacy and Cristalline); Bliss Heers (Antidote de Mars), who made the podium at the February $500,000 grand prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival) and Chloe Reid (Souper Shuttle.)
The U.S. squad was eliminated at the Nations’ Cup qualifier in Mexico earlier this year, which means the U.S. won’t qualify for the finals in that competition this autumn in Barcelona. That means the world championships will take on even more importance than usual.
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