THE SPORTS DESK
Betsy Carter’s Horse Scene: Prestige on display at London Games
THE OLYMPICS begin in just about 40 days, but not all the Olympic riders and horses have been selected. However, a few interesting ones have been.
A horse named Rafalca and her rider, Jan Ebeling, have recently been selected to compete in dressage. One of the interesting details about this horse is that one of his owners is Ann Romney, wife of Mitt Romney.
Ann Romney took up riding as therapy after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a few years ago. After her interest in the sport bloomed, she bought several horses and went into business with Jan Ebeling and his wife, becoming part owner of Rafalca. The Romneys keep all their horses at the Ebeling Ranch.
Another interesting rider is Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II and daughter of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips. Zara Phillips will compete in eventing on High Kingdom.
The Olympic equestrian events will be broadcast on NBC in the following schedule:
July 28: 10 a.m.—Individual and team dressage, Day 1.
July 29: 10 a.m.—Individual and team dressage, Day 2.
July 30: 12:30 p.m.—Individual and team eventing, cross country.
July 31: 10:30 a.m.—Individual and team eventing, stadium jumping; 2 p.m.—Individual and team eventing; jumping.
Aug. 2: 11 a.m.—Individual and team dressage; grand prix, Day 1.
Aug. 3: 11 a.m.—Individual and team dressage; grand prix, Day 2.
Aug. 4: 10:30 a.m.—Individual and team jumping qualifier.
Aug. 5: 11 a.m.—Individual and team second-day qualifier; team jumping final round.
Aug. 6: 2 p.m.—Individual and team third qualifier and team jumping final round.
Aug. 7: 10 a.m.—Individual and team, grand prix special.
Aug. 8: Noon—Individual and team, jumping final, round A; 2:45 p.m.—individual jumping final, round B.
Aug. 9: 12:30 p.m.—Individual . dressage grand prix freestyle.
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CALENDAR
June 20–24: Deep Run
June 23: Summerplace; Bellemount; USS at Sunny’s Corner; Evergreen dressage; ShenVADA at Bright Moon Farm; Va. Palomino Show Chesterfield; Trail Challenge Clinic Cornerstone.
June 24: EKG; Moriah; Cedar Springs @ Warrenton; Summerduck; Homestead dressage.
June 26: Woodpecker Horse Show; Oakland Heights.
June 26–27: House Mountain.
June 27: Touch Point; Fox Chase.
June 27–July 1: Warrenton Pony Show
June 29–July 1: VHSA Associate Summer Show at Deep Run
June 30: Wavertree dressage; JCHSS dressage; Cedar Creek HT CT and dressage.
June 30–July 1: Looking Glass Farm dressage
Betsy Carter can be reached at The Free Lance–Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401; or by fax at 540/373-8455.
