Team USA Takes Gold at FEI World Reining Championship Shawn Flarida marked competition high scorefrom AQHA Journal The powerhouse Reining team from the United States took the gold medal September 26 at the FEI World Reining Championship, held during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. Belgium won the team silver medal, and Italy earned the bronze. Order of finish for the remaining top-10 teams was: Austria, Canada, Germany, Brazil, the Netherlands, Great Britain and Mexico. U.S. Reining Chef d’Equipe Jeff Petska noted the tough competition at this year’s games, but said the United States “brought a bunch of heavyweights to a heavyweight fight.” Veteran rider Tim McQuay, who won the individual silver medal in reining at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, said, “The difference in quality of the overall exhibitors at this event has grown so much. It’s just unbelievable how much better they’ve gotten.” In order of their runs, McQuay and Hollywoodstinseltown scored 220.5; Craig Schmersal and Mister Montana Nic marked 223.5; Tom McCutcheon and Gunners Special Nite scored 224; and Shawn Flarida and RC Fancy Step marked a team-competition high score of 227. Flarida also claimed the 2002 WEG individual gold medal and has earned more than $ 3 million in National Reining Horse Association competition. For Belgium, which has a small but developing reining community, the 2010 games brought the country’s first-ever team reining medal. “We were dreaming for third place, but getting silver is like a dream come true,” said Belgium Chef d’Equipe Susy Baeck, whose sister, Cira Baeck, is a team member. Other Belgium team members are Jan Boogaerts and Bernard Fonck and his wife, Ann Poels. The Italians have claimed reining bronze medals in each of the previous World Equestrian Games. In 2008, they bested the U.S. team by winning the FEI World Reining Championships. Referring to his team’s WEG third placing again this year, Italian Chef d’Equipe Mario Sbrana said, “We’re tired of being third for the third time. It’s time to move up!” Team Italy is composed of Nicola Brunelli, Dario Carmignani, Stefano Massignan and Marco Ricotta. Team Competition Final Scores USA: 674.5 Belgium: 659.0 Italy: 655.5 Austria: 653.5 Canada: 652.5 Raffle AQHA is raffling a felt cowboy hat from Shorty’s Caboy Hattery of Oklahoma City, signed by Team USA reining members Craig Schmersal, Shawn Flarida, Tom McCutcheon and Tim McQuay. Team USA wrapped up reining competition on September 29. To Enter to Win the Hat, visit www.aqha.com/weg/hatcontest. Complete the quick form by October 10. Must be 18 or older to enter. One entry per person. Winner will be announced and contacted after the Games.