112 SIDELINES AUGUST 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
e
The Bottom Line
By Jan Westmark-Allan
There’s been a lot of buzz about the 2012 London Olympics,
especially surrounding the U.S. Show Jumping Team. Our
fearsome foursome – McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, Rich Fellers
and Reed Kessler – have caught the attention of equestrians and
non-equestrians alike. From Reed’s young age to Rich’s “mature”
age to the fact that McLain and Beezie are no longer riding their
“gold medal” mounts – it seems everyone’s talking. Now it’s our
turn to talk - and, yes we made up the last sentence for each rider!
London
Is
Calling!
McLain Ward
McLain is no stranger to the Olympics. He and Sapphire won two gold medals in the last two Olympics.
In January, McLain broke his knee, which required surgery and kept him out of the saddle for four
months. McLain had just returned to riding when he decided to retire Sapphire. After Sapphire’s
emotional retirement ceremony at the Devon Horse Show, McLain did what McLain does best. He
piloted Antares F to a win in the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon which helped him secure
a spot on his third Olympic team. London has called and we are pretty sure we heard McLain say: “I’d
love to meet the Queen and gold is my favorite color.”
Beezie Madden
Beezie is also looking at her third straight Olympic Games. She and Authentic
earned two gold medals and one bronze in the last two Olympics; but Authentic
has also retired due to a tendon injury. In the 2012 Olympics, Beezie is all about
girl power. She will be riding Coral Reef Ranch’s Coral Reef Via Volo, a 13 year
old Belgian Warmblood mare. Beezie has proven her girl power over and over
again and was the frst woman to pass the $1 million mark in earnings for show
jumping. London has called this powerful woman and we heard her answer:
“Girls Rule, Boys Drool. Gold is my favorite color, too.”
Rich Fellers
Rich and Flexible are the “mature” ones of the group – but with age comes wisdom and talent. Rich is
52, Flexible is 16 and recently they became the frst American team to win the World Cup show jumping
fnals in 25 years. All those numbers add up to a winning combination. This pair won the $200,000 CN
Performance Grand Prix in Calgary, Alberta, the fnal Olympic trial and landed the duo on top of the list
of combinations nominated for the Olympic team. Rich and Flexible are on fre and Rich said he believes
Flexible is at the top of his game. London has called Rich loud and clear and Rich has answered just as
loudly: “It’s my frst Olympics; but who’s counting! I have gold running through my veins.”
Reed Kessler
Reed is a mere babe in riding clothes – she will turn 18 on July 9, just 18 days before the Games; which
is fortunate for her because 18 is the minimum age required for equestrian athletes in the Olympics.
Don’t let Reed’s age fool you -- she has guts, nerves of steel and an enormous amount of talent. She is
thrilled to be the youngest American ever to compete in Olympic show jumping. Reed will ride Cylana in
London and when she got the call from George Morris saying she was on the team, she tweeted that it
was, without a doubt, the greatest day of her life. Reed’s goal has always been to be a top international
rider and represent her country – and it’s thrilling to see her London bound. When London called this
youngster, she answered: “I respect my elders; but I’m ready to tweet about gold medals!”
Photos: All photos by Jack Mancini www.manciniphotos.com
The Bottom Line:
Good luck to McLain, Beezie, Rich and Reed -- a strong U.S. Show Jumping Team that
will, undoubtedly, make us proud. London is calling and we can’t wait to hear your real answers.