Impressive Field Set to Contest CEI3* 160km Team Trial

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This weekend the United States' top endurance riders will vie for a chance to represent the U.S. at the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship.


March 28th, 2012 -- This weekend the United States' top endurance riders will vie for a chance to represent the U.S. at the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship. Saturday, March 31st riders will compete in the CEI3* 160km Team Trial held at the Priefert Ranch in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Every attempt has been made to replicate the course and environment of the upcoming Championship at these Trials. Saturday's race is expected to be an excellent showing of the nation's finest endurance horses.

In accordance with the selection procedures, upon completion of the Team Trial, the top 20 horses in addition to any wild-card's granted by Chef d'Equipe Emmett Ross, will be named to the Long List. The 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship will take place August 25, 2012 in Euston Park, Thetford (GBR).

Currently assembling in Mt. Pleasant, Texas are over 50 of the nation's best endurance horses and riders, which include both storied veterans and fresh faces to the sport. The Team Trial will feature three-time World Endurance Champion Becky Hart (1988, 1990, 1992) and two-time World Endurance Champion Valerie Kanavy (1994 and 1998). Hart will ride her current partner, No Repeat. While Kanavy will ride My Wild Irish Gold and has additionally entered Destiny Gold and Reach for the Gold, both to be ridden by Proxy Riders.

Also entered are the last two Tevis Cup winners, John Crandell III (2010) and Jeremy Reynolds (2011). Crandell will ride Heraldic, this pair most recently earned Team and Individual Silver medals at the 2011 Pan American Championships. Reynolds has entered 2011 Tevis and Haggin Cup winner Riverwatch, to be ridden by wife Heather, and will himself ride A Kutt Above.

"I am very excited that so many of our top horses are trying out for the team, in fact, this is the best field of U.S. 100 mile horses that's gathered in nearly 20 years," said Chef d'Equipe Ross. "As the Chef, I expect from this field of horses we will have a very strong team that will stand on the podium at the Championships."

Keep up with the 2012 U.S. Endurance Team and all the action from the CEI3* 160km Team Trial here; http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2012Endurance