Jumpers Trotted Out at Olympics

By Joanie Morris August 2, 2012

Ninety show jumping horses from 26 countries got their first glimpse of the main arena for the Olympic Games in Greenwich Park when they were presented before the Ground Jury at the jog on Aug. 2. The The U.S. Team looked sharp under the care of veterinarian Dr. Tim Ober, farrier Dr. Todd Meister, physiotherapist  Janus Marquis, and their grooms. George Morris is serving as chef d’equipe at his last Olympics; he retires at the end of 2012.

The U.S. Jumping Team is led by two-time Gold medalists Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) and McLain Ward (Brewster, NY), who claimed Team Gold in 2004 and 2008 together. Madden will ride Coral Reef Via Volo (owned by Coral Reef Ranch) and Ward Antares F (Grant Road Partners). Both horses are making their Olympics debut.

Madden also won Individual Bronze in 2008 with Authentic. After his retirement she built a new superstar out of Coral Reef Via Volo. Together they won Individual Silver at the 2011 Pan American Games and with Ward and Antares F they shared Team Gold at that same  Pan Ams. Clark Shipley grooms for Coral Reef. This is his third Olympics.

“She doesn’t feel small to ride,” said Madden, of he mare, who is the smallest horse on in the U.S. contingent at 15.2 hands. “She has a huge stride and a lot of scope. People are surprised when they walk up to her to see how small she is.”

Ward was one of the most decorated Young Riders of his generation and has produced impeccable results at every turn since joining the senior ranks. He shattered his kneecap in January of 2012 and was surgically repaired by the late Dr. Craig Ferrel. Dr. Ferrel was part of the U.S. Olympic movement since working with U.S. Swimming in the 1980s. He joined the Equestrian Team in 1996. Devastatingly, he died as a result of injuries sustained in polo accident only a few months ago and has left an incredible hole in the U.S. Team.

Antares and Ward proved they are back on pre-injury form in May when they won the Grand Prix of Devon, where Ward also retired his past Olympic champion, the mare Sapphire. Diane Pupolo is grooming for the grey gelding Antares at what is also her first Olympics.

The blazing duo of Rich Fellers (Sherwood, OR) and the 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse phenom Flexible are looking poised to continue their run at an Olympic Games medal. Owned by Mollie and Harry Chapman. At 16, the diminutive chestnut stallion is the reigning Rolex/FEI World Cup Champion after an epic effort in s’Hertogenbosch in April. Flexible won all of the Observation Events he contested. Rachel Terleski is Flexible’s groom.

Rounding out the U.S. squad is 18-year-old newcomer Reed Kessler (Lexington, KY). She stormed onto the U.S. Team with exceptional jumping results throughout the USEF Selection Trials and the following Observation Events securing her place as the youngest member of the U.S. Equestrian Team in history. Kessler, who is trained by Katie Prudent, will ride her own mare Cylana in her first Olympic Games. Tracey Edge grooms for Kessler and Cylana.

“Cylana is probably the easiest horse to ride here,” Kessler said. “She has a lot of scope and is a dream horse for a kid like me.”

Charlie Jayne (Elgin, IL) and Pony Lane Farm’s Chill R Z are the traveling reserves, they too jogged up well in front of the Ground Jury. Jonathan Cohen grooms for Chill R Z.

Jumping competition gets underway on Aug. 4, 10:30 a.m. London time with the First Individual Qualifier.

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