Kent Farrington and Orafina. Photo © Ashley Neuhof / MLSJ
The United States Federation (USEF) has announced the nominations for the ‘Rider of the Year’ and Horse of the Year elections. Adrian Lyle and Will Coleman are William C. Qualified for the Steinkraus Trophy. KWPN mare by Kent Farrington Orafina (s. For Fashion), bred by VDL Stud, is one of the nominees for the Horse of the Year award
He won team silver with eventing rider Will Coleman Off the record (v. Arkansas VDL) at the World Championship in Pradoni del Vivaro. He helped the US eventing team qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Coleman has been in top form all year, finishing in the top 10 in the two CCI5*-L races he has competed in this year. Dontante (By Pacino) finished seventh in Kentucky and sixth in Maryland. At the World Cup he finished off a record seventh place. The American finished in the top ten 21 times from 29 starts.
Adrian Lyle
After winning the silver medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, American dressage rider Adrienne Lyle did not take it easy. In August, Lyle achieved 83.704% in freestyle with Salvino at the World Championships in Herning, the second-highest score of her career and sixth in a strong international field. The combination was instrumental in qualifying the US dressage team for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Lyle is now ranked eleventh in the world.
Para-Amazon Kate Schumacher is the third nominee. He won individual silver and team bronze in Herning.
Horse of the Year
Four horses have been nominated for Horse of the Year. Bred by VDL Stud out of Bear is a ten year old mare Orafina. The daughter of Far Fashion has started 50 times this year under Kent Farrington and finished in the top ten 20 times. The combination came first nine times over all courses 1.50m and over, and won four Grand Prix’s (two 5* and two 3*).
Other nominees include Will Colemans of The Record, Salvino (v. Sandro Hitt) Adrian Lyle and Guyana (V. Quaterstern) Para-Amazon owned by Kate Schumacher.
Awards will be presented on January 12th (including the William C. Steinkraus Trophy) and Horse of the Year on January 14th.
Evidence USEF
