Liz Halliday's strong season in the saddle has been recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation after she was included in the domestic governing body's prestigious Eventing High Performance Winter/Spring Training List.
Liz Halliday in action
Liz Halliday's strong season in the saddle has been recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation after she was included in the domestic governing body's prestigious Eventing High Performance Winter/Spring Training List.
© 2013 by R. Hogrebe
The British-based Californian was named on USEF's National List alongside just nine other riders, and was one of only two who received entries for a pair of horses thanks to the exceptional progress made throughout 2013 by Chailey Stud's Cooley (HHS Cooley) and Blackie (Fernhill by Night).
USEF's Eventing High Performance Committee felt that Cooley, who earlier this month recorded an impressive third place finish in his first CCI*** event at Galway Downs, along with Blackie - part of the USA Nations Cup CCIO*** team at Boekelo in October - had both demonstrated 'the future potential to be competitive anywhere in the world'.
Part of the programme sees Halliday travel to Cincinnati next month (December 4-8) for the United States Eventing Association Annual Conference where she will attend a mandatory meeting organised exclusively for listed riders with US Eventing team coach and former Olympic and world champion, David O’Connor.
That’s followed in January by a further three days of training in the UK where O’Connor will put Liz, Cooley and Blackie through their paces along with the Training List’s other British-based Americans.
“After such a tough season, when we really had to step it up at the end, this really is everything that we could have hoped for and a big deal for the entire Chailey Stud team,” said Liz. “Everyone has worked so hard this year and that’s directly contributed to myself, Cooley and Blackie being nominated for USEF’s High Performance Training List. Clearly Blackie’s Nations Cup outing for the US team at Boekelo and Cooley’s third place at Galway Downs helped raise our profile amongst the selectors, and I am just so excited to have been offered the opportunity to show them what great potential I believe the horses have for the future.
“The chance to work with David will also be invaluable. He’s a fantastic coach, has so much experience and is someone I have a lot of respect for. I’m sure with his and USEF’s help we’ll be in a stronger position than ever before going into 2014. The hard work really begins now, and we are ready for the challenge!
“Finally, I want to say a big thank you to all of my family, friends, team, sponsors and trainers for all of their continued support and for helping us get to this point.”