Taking advantage of its newly refurbished facility, the USET Foundation is currently hosting the U.S. Dressage Team as they prepare for the 2010 World Equestrian Games. The outstanding group of horse and rider combinations includes Steffen Peters and Ravel, Tina Konyot and Calecto V, Todd Flettrich and Otto; and Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Nartan, along with alternates Catherine Haddad and Winyamaro and Pierre St.Jacques and Lucky Tiger.
All six riders are currently training under the watchful eye of Chef D'Equipe Anne Gribbons. "Anne has been supportive and very helpful," noted Flettrich. "I'm an independent person so the idea of the team is new for me, but everything has been going great and we're working together while having a great time."
Bateson-Chandler added, "I have been looking forward to this part of the WEG journey since I made the team. I love all of my teammates; they have been good friends of mine for years so that's special for me. I am also really enjoying the training and I am thrilled to be in Gladstone."
The team members are delighted to have the opportunity to train at the iconic Gladstone Headquarters. Thanks to the capital improvements program made possible through "The Gladstone Fund," the facility has received state-of-the-art footing, a completely refurbished indoor ring and stabling and an impressive backdrop of plantings behind the main arena.
"Thanks to Jane Clark the facility received a major facelift and everything is remodeled; it's a fantastic facility to be in," commented Peters. "We never had this situation where we could train for a major championship at a private facility. Any time we had training camp before in Europe there were always a lot of other horses and clients. This is a unique situation allowing us to train together and watch each other. There is much history at Gladstone as well and that always makes it special."
Konyot continued, "Gladstone was amazing even before the upgrades but now it is a world-class facility and we are so lucky to be able to train here."
The riders on the U.S. Dressage Team will be training at the Gladstone Headquarters until September 18, 2010, before heading to Lexington, KY, to compete at the 2010 orld Equestrian Games.
Photo (c) Sue Stickle
Back to the 2010 WEG Index