The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the riders who will represent the United States on the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team in Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup competition at CSIO4* Ocala, in Ocala, Fla., February 11-15, 2015.
The following riders will represent the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team at CSIO4* Ocala (in alphabetical order):
Georgina Bloomberg (New York, N.Y.)
For Georgina Bloomberg, the daughter of former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, a love of horses has always run in her blood. After an extremely successful junior and young rider career, Bloomberg has continued to find success at the highest level of the sport of jumping. In 2014, her competition highlights included helping the United States to a Nations Cup win at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup in Gijon, Spain, and a win in the Central Park Grand Prix, presented by Rolex with the superstar mare, Juvina. In addition to competing, Bloomberg is also actively involved in philanthropic efforts, including founding The Rider’s Closet, serving on the Board of the Equestrian Aid Foundation, and as a committee member of Friends of Finn. She is a proud mother of one-year-old son, Jasper Michael Brown Bloomberg.
Kent Farrington (Wellington, Fla.)
While his initial aspiration was to become a jockey, Farrington ultimately found his passion in the sport of jumping and worked with many of the best professionals as a junior and young professional. In his junior career, he won the prestigious Pessoa/US National Hunter Seat Medal Final and the Washington International Horse Show Equitation Finals before winning a Gold medal at the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. He continued to build his legacy as a professional, helping the United States to the Gold medal at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, and winning many of the most prestigious Grand Prixes throughout the world. Farrington looks for continued success this year, on the heels of a 2014 campaign that saw him win the Trump Invitational presented by Rolex and Spruce Meadow’s ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup, place second in the world famous Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, and help the U.S. to Bronze at the World Championships.
Lauren Hough (Wellington, Fla.)
The daughter of Olympic Bronze medalist, Champ, and acclaimed hunter and jumper trainer, Linda, Lauren Hough began riding before she could walk. Beginning her career competing in Northern California in the pony ring, the jumps did not stay small for long as she rose up the hunter and equitation ranks, ultimately winning the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search in 1994. In 2000, at the age of 23, Hough reached the pinnacle of the sport of jumping, making her Olympic debut in Sydney. Since that time she has continually represented the U.S. in championships, including the 2010 World Championships, and helped the U.S. to Pan American Games Gold in 2003 and Bronze in 2007, and annually in Nations Cup competition throughout the world. Hough’s strong string of horses is led by Ohlala, Quick Study, and Reconnaissance. During her downtime, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and entertaining, in addition to reading and working out at the gym.
Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.)
For almost two decades Laura Kraut has represented the U.S. at Olympic Games, World Championships, and in numerous Nations Cup competitions. Kraut’s first big break came in 1992, when she was named as an alternate to the U.S. team for Barcelona after excelling in the Selection Trials and kick-off to her Olympic career. Eight years later she made her Olympic debut in Sydney, and in 2008 Kraut’s Olympic dreams came true as she and her young rising star, Cedric, played a pivotal role in America claiming Team Gold. In 2003, Kraut was recognized for her positive outlook and sportsmanship when she was awarded the United States Olympic Committee’s Jack Kelly Fair Play Award. She and her partner, British Olympic Gold medalist Nick Skelton, split their time between Florida and England, traveling to compete in the most prestigious shows throughout the world. A passion for horses and equestrian sport runs in the family for Kraut, as her 15-year-old son, Bobby, is an avid competitor in the jumper ranks and her sister, Mary Elizabeth, helps to manage the business and schedules.
Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.)
Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Beezie Madden has been riding since the age of three and made her debut at Grand Prix, jumping’s highest level, in 1985 at 22. For nearly three decades, Madden has represented the United States in the world’s most prestigious competitions, including winning three medals at the Olympic Games: Team Gold in 2004 and 2008, as well as Individual Bronze in 2008. She also added Team and Individual Silver at the 2006 World Championships and Team and Individual Bronze at the 2014 World Championships, in addition to becoming the Rolex/FEI World Cup Champion in 2013. Madden brings a talented string of horses into the 2015 season led by Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’, Madden’s 2014 World Championship partner, Simon, the 2013 World Cup champion, rising star Vanilla, as well as Coral Reef Ranch’s London Olympic veteran, Coral Reef Via Volo. In addition to competing, Madden also runs a successful training and sales business with her husband, John, out of their Cazenovia, New York, and Wellington, Florida, bases.
Source: USEF