Posted January 1, 2006

Team USA Wins Gold in Reining at the FEI CRIO in Oklahoma City

Lexington, KY—Team USA won the FEI CRIO that took place December 1, 2005, in Oklahoma City, OK, during the National Reining Horse Association Futurity. Tim McQuay of Tioga, TX; Scott McCutcheon of Whitesboro, TX; Tom McCutcheon of Aubrey, TX; and Dell Hendricks of Tioga, TX rode for the United States and came away victorious with a combined score of 654.5.

Team Brazil took home the Silver, while Team Canada received the Bronze. Team Mexico came in fourth. All teams secured their place to ride at the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany, by competing in this CRIO. Two individual riders also represented their countries, Daniel Schloemer from Germany and Tina Kuenstner Mantl from Austria.

A CRIO is an FEI-recognized reining competition for teams from different countries. In order for a reining team to compete at the 2006 WEG, their country must have competed at a CRIO within the past year. For a CRIO, tour riders represent their country as a team, and the three highest scores are combined to make up the team score. The team with the highest score wins. Each rider also rides for an individual standing.

Bringing home the Individual Gold was Team USA’s Tim McQuay. McQuay recently won a Silver medal at the FEI Reining Masters in Manerbio, Italy, aboard Mister Montana Nic, the same horse he rode to the win in Oklahoma City.

When asked how it felt to win two Gold medals at one event, McQuay replied, ““Wonderful! It can’t feel much better.”

When asked how he liked riding for Team USA, he said, “It is different than on your own. It’s a little more fun to be with teammates.”

There were approximately 4,000 enthusiastic fans in Oklahoma City cheering on all 18 competitors. One spectator was heard saying, "Watching the sport you love competing for the country you love, it doesn't get any better than that."

CRIO Team Results

Team USA 654.5

Dell Hendricks Hollywood Vintage 215
Scott McCutcheon Inwhizable 216.5
Tom McCutcheon Ruf Hearted Jac 217.5
Tim McQuay Mister Montana Nic 220.5

Team Brazil 640.5

Rogerio Banal Lil Gay Star Peppy 216.5
Thiago Boechat Smart Gin 208
Eduardo Matas Durable Diamond 200
Thiago Sobral Chic Tommy 216

Team Canada 639

Francois Gauthier Its All About Cash 212.5
Guy Robertson Freeway Frank 211
Cody Sapergia Majors Dapper Dan 186
Shawna Sapergia Don Quintana 215.5

Team Mexico 612.5

Mariano Pedrero Hot Little Linnie 202
Ruben Pacheco Cuevas Custom Dry Doc 188.5
Gretel Valdez Tuffie Tejon 196.5
Jose Vazquez Heza Bigtime Bingo 214

Individual Riders

Daniel Schloemer Fancy Bingo Star 214

Tina Kuenstner Mantl Hot Hollywood Jewels 205.5

Individual Results

Tim McQuay, Mister Montana Nic
Tom McCutcheon, Ruf Hearted Jac
3T. Scott McCutcheon, Inwhizable
3T. Rogerio Banal, Lil Gay Star Peppy

For more information, please contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager, on (859) 225-6974 or via e-mail at slane@usef.org. USEF press releases can be found on our website, www.usef.org.