2003 Festival of Champions

Lavell Takes Lead in Cosequin Pan American Games Dressage Selection Trials at Bayer/USET Festival of Champions Presented by State Line Tack

Gladstone, NJ—June 21, 2003— After fishing first in the USET Intermediaire I, the second round of the 2003 Cosequin Pan American Games Dressage Selection Trials, 1992 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist Carol Lavell of Loxahatchee, FL, and Much Ado have taken the lead in the standings at the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions Presented by State Line Tack in Gladsone, NJ.

The pair went to the top of the field of 13 horse-and-rider combinations after posting a score of 71.150% in the class. Lavell earned the win despite a tack failure while on course. Although she was happy with her performance, she noted, “I looked a little weird in the change because my stirrup leather was getting longer and longer.”

Kristina Harrison-Naness of Burbank, CA, who won the first class of the Cosequin Selection Trials, the FEI Prix St. Georges held on Friday, June 19, stands in second place after finishing second in the USET Intermediaire I, aboard Kantor. The first pair to enter the ring, they posted a score of 69.500% to finish behind Lavell. New to the tour, Harrison-Naness is thrilled with her performance so far in Gladstone. “I’ve never had a top horse before. I’m working hard at it. I’ve been very dedicated to it, and I’m really excited,” she said as a smile lit up her face.

Jan Ebeling of Moorpark, CA, sits in the third and fourth place positions with his two mounts, Feleciano and Liberte. Aboard Feleciano, Ebeling posted a score of 68.850% to take the third position, while Liberte finished close behind with a score of 68.800%. Pleased with the performances of both his horses, Ebeling said, “I’m really happy with both of them. They are so different. Feleciano is like a cat; you just sit on him and look nice. Liberte is a big, powerful mover, he’s just different.”

After the third and final phase of the Cosequin Selection Trials, the USET Intermediaire Freestyle, on Sunday, June 22, the United States Equestrian Team will name the four-rider dressage team who will represent the United States at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic in August.

On Sunday, after the conclusion of the National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) Championship for Riders with Disabilities, which is serving as the Selection Trials for the World Championships, the United States Equestrian Team along with the National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) will name the team, who will compete at the World Championships for Riders with Disabilities to be held in Belgium in September.

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