Catherine Haddad-Staller to Skip USA Championships, Will Ride on Rotterdam Nations Cup Team
11 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Catherine Haddad-Staller to Skip USA Championships, Will Ride on Rotterdam Nations Cup Team
May 29, 2014
Catherine Haddad-Staller will skip the United States championships and selection trials for the World Equestrian Games in two weeks to keep her Mane Stream Hotmail in Europe to ride on the American team at the Nations Cup in Rotterdam a week later.
Catherine of Califon, New Jersey made the decision after Devon Kane withdrew her Devon from the Munich and Rotterdam tournaments after a minor injury Wednesday.
Catherine and Hotmail will team up with Susie Dutta on Currency DC and Brian Hafner on Lombardo LHF in Rotterdam.
“I came over with Hotmail this spring to give him some exposure to European venues and see if we could realistically compete for a spot on the US Team for WEG,” she said of her 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding.
“Since we are currently ranked 13th in the USA, it makes no sense to expect a spot on the Team. We might be able to place in the top eight which would give us a chance to turn around and go back to Europe to gain experience, but we can just stay here and do that any way.
“Staying home from the Selection Trials frees up another spot for another competitor to compete for a chance to come to Europe this summer. Since our budget is always limited, I see this as a way to get one more Grand Prix horse to Europe this year.”
Catherine received a $20,000 grant which enabled her to fly to Europe with Hotmail, rent a horse van, pay training and living expenses, and enter three shows.
“All the grant funds are now used up but I have not yet achieved the results I would like to have with Hotmail,” she said. “So I would like to stay here for a few more shows.”
Her tentative plan is the Rotterdam Nations Cup and then Falsterbo, Sweden the second week of July before flying home.
“Perhaps we can win enough prize money to pay for the flight!” she added.
Catherine based herself in Germany for 20 years during which time she was reserve for the U.S. teams at the 2006 and 2010 World Games as well as competing in two World Cup Finals.
After her marriage to veterinarian Greg Staller she returned home in late 2012.
She was actively involved in raising $155,000 in prize money for the U.S. championships.
