Thursday, September 23, 2010

Blittersdorf is alternate for U.S. Endurance team

Burlingtonfreepress.com - Full Article

Jeffersonville woman training for World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky

By Mike Donoghue, Free Press Staff Writer • Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Melody Blittersdorf is hoping to take the horse ride of her life.

The Jeffersonville woman is representing the United States on the Endurance team at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Endurance is a 100-mile horse race with at least five mandatory stops along the way for veterinarians to check the horses to ensure they can continue, Blittersdorf said in a recent interview.

“I’m the only one from Vermont in any of eight disciplines and the only one from New England in the Endurance,” she said. The competition also includes Dressage, Driving, Eventing, Jumping, Para Dressage, Reining and Vaulting.

The international games are held every four years and this marks the first time they are in America, Blittersdorf said.

The list of Endurance riders on the U.S. team was recently cut to five finalists, but Blittersdorf was named as an alternate and could still move up, according to her husband, Jeff Blittersdorf.

He said his wife is still hoping for a chance to perform at the games, which run from Saturday until Oct. 10 and will be aired on national television — NBC-TV — over three weekends...

Read more here:
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100921/SPORTS/100920045/Blittersdorf-is-alternate-for-U.S.-Endurance-team

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