Wellington, FL (September 9, 2013) – Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Fresh off her role as chef d’equipe for the team Gold Medal-winning Israeli show jumping squad at the 19th Maccabiah Games in Yagur, Israel, Danielle Goldstein, of Starwyn Farms in Wellington, FL, continues to advance her quest to represent Israel and celebrate Israel equestrians in the international arena.
Goldstein’s top ten finish in June in the Outdoor Gelderland/Arnhem Grand Prix 3* in Holland qualified her for the ECCO FEI European Show Jumping Championships, August 20-25, in Herning, Denmark.
“The Israeli Equestrian Federation is thrilled that I was able to go and represent them,” said Goldstein. “It was a tremendous honor and huge exposure, not only for myself but for Israel, and my goal of bringing more recognition to the country’s show jumping riders and horses. I’ve received tons of emails and texts from around the world telling me what a proud moment it was to see Israel’s flag hanging from the rafters in Denmark.”
The talented equestrian and trainer, who turned professional in 2012 after a successful junior career, was pragmatic about her chances at the most important show jumping competition of the year, but said her results were “better than expected.”
“I just wanted to ride my best. I had two rails down on the first day and one down in the first round of the Nations Cup. They only call back the top fifty for team competition and I finished 54th so I was really close! It was exciting just to be in the stabling area and rings with so many great riders. I had a good horse that I’ve know for a long time and I went for the experience.” Goldstein competed under the blue and white of the Israeli flag riding Starwyn Farms’ 13-year-old bay Darco-bred BWP gelding, Adamo van’t Steenputje.
Goldstein went for the experience but rides away with a very significant accomplishment under her belt: she is now qualified to ride for Israel at next summer’s 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy: “Israeli athletes can compete at this international level and I intend to continue to build appreciation and recognition for Team Israel and its sponsors.”
In addition to her own riding and training goals, Goldstein founded the International Equestrian Education (IEE) series that debuted during the 2013 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. For more information about ‘Team Israel,’ IEE at Starwyn Farms, or Danielle Goldstein, please call 917-544-3349 or email dani.goldstein@gmail.com.
