Blog #4 – April 2022
U.S. Athletes Ready for 2022 FEI World Cup™ Finals in Leipzig
Dressage, Jumping and Vaulting Finals Under Way This Week
The 2022 FEI World Cup™ Finals are being held in Leipzig, Germany this week, running April 6-10 and starting the one-year countdown for the Finals’ return to Omaha, April 4-8, 2023. The U.S. is sending a mix of seasoned veterans and newcomers to the Final in Dressage, Jumping and Vaulting.
The Dressage squad features four-time Olympic veteran Ashley Holzer and first-time qualifier Anna Buffini. Holzer, of Wellington, FL, will be riding Havanna 145, a 2007 Hanoverian mare owned by Diane Fellows, while Buffini, of San Diego, will be on FRH Davinia la Douce, her own 2007 Hanoverian mare. Buffini clinched her first Finals appearance with a brilliant ride during the last qualifier in Wellington last month; here's a look at part of her ride.
The Jumping squad is led by McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, and Margie Engle of Wellington, FL. Ward, a five-time Olympic veteran, won the Longines FEI World Cup™ Final in 2017 when it was held in Omaha, a win that remains one of the highlights of his illustrious career. Engle, who was recently inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, is making her 18th appearance in the Finals!
Joining them on the Jumping squad are:
- Misti Cassar of Canyon Country, CA
- Katie Dinan of Wellington, FL
- Hunter Holloway of Topeka, KS
- Schuyler Riley of Wellington, FL
- Aaron Vale of Williston, FL
- Kristen Vanderveen of Wellington, FL
- Alessandra Volpi of Woodside, CA
Three of these riders – Alessandra Volpi, Aaron Vale and Hunter Holloway – are making their first appearance in the Final. Holloway, who won the Grand Prix at the International Omaha in 2018, spoke about what riding in the Final would mean to her after she won the World Cup Qualifier in Las Vegas last November.
Two experienced veterans are representing the U.S. in Vaulting – Kalyn Noah of Newbury Park, CA, and Kimberly Palmer of Half Moon Bay, CA. Each has competed in three World Championships and Palmer is making her third appearance in the World Cup™ Finals, having placed third and fourth in her previous appearances.
It’s time to make your plans for next year’s FEI World Cup™ Finals, April 4-8, 2023 at the CHI Health Center Omaha! Omaha will host Finals in all three disciplines and it is sure to be a week you will always remember!
Go to www.OmahaEquestrian.org to learn more!