Marilyn Little on La Contessa has formally withdrawn from the U.S. Jumping Team for the FEI Jumping World Championships and has been replaced by Natalie Dean on Mr Boombastic
La Contessa sustained a minor injury while-preparing for the championships, and Little decided to withdraw.
“Timing is everything. Unfortunately, Contessa has had a minor injury which has set back our preparations for the World Games at Aachen. With the interest of my incredible partner in mind, I have withdrawn her from competition to give her any time she needs to rest and feel her best again,” said Little. “Though disappointing for today, I look forward to getting back in the ring with her when the time is right. It is the greatest honor to be selected to represent the Team USA at a major championship and I wish USA Jumping very best of luck next month.”
The team is now Natalie Dean on Mr Boombastic, Katie Dinan on Out of the Blue SCF, Lillie Keenan on Fasther, Laura Kraut on Bisquetta and McLain Ward on High Star Hero.
There are 31 teams plus a number of individuals named as definite entries for the Jumping World Championships, meaning the competition on the first two days will probably last about seven or eight hours.
This presents a difficult problem for course designer Frank Rothenberger of Germany, as he will have to set courses for the first and second individual and team competitions that are difficult enough to separate the top teams but at the same time not so difficult that it will hurt the numerous riders not up to this level of competition.
THE U.S. has a team of five, four of which will be named to compete with the fifth a traveling reserve,
Nations fielding less than a team of three or four can have up to two individual competitors.
Day one, Wednesday, Aug. 19, is a speed competition, with scores carried forward for both teams and individuals, and day two, Thursday, is a team competition, but individuals also compete towards the individual medals.
Both these days begin at 10:30 in Aachen, which is 4:30 a.m. Eastern.
The scores of the top three riders in each round count towards the team total.
The top 10 teams compete on Friday, the final team competition, after which team medals will be presented, and that competition begins at 6:30 p.m. in Aachen, which is 12:20 Eastern.
The Individual Final is Sunday, Aug. 23 and begins at 2:20 p.m.in Aachen,which is 8:30 a,m. Eastern, and it is scheduled to run about three hours.
Definite entries for jumping, eventing, driving, para dressage and vaulting have been announced by the FEI and are available online.
