Friday Morning Feed from Ovation

Good morning Horse Nation, and happy Friday! It’s been an exciting week here at Horse Nation, beginning with the announcement of the USA Olympic Event Team on Monday.

One of the most exciting surprises with regard to the team roster was the inclusion of Tiana Coudray and her talented horse, Ringwood Magister. With a team full of veteran competitors like Karen O’Connor and Phillip Dutton, Tiana might seem like a wildcard pick: Being only 23 years old, she’s still a relative newcomer to international competition. Yet, she’s regarded by many as having a real shot at coming home from London with a medal.

Photo: EN

Tiana has a special relationship with her horse, “Finn,” whom she found in Ireland as a 4-year-old and has since developed to the Advanced level. In the past year, the pair has dedicated themselves to improvement, relocating to England to train with and compete against the best. Successful placings in prestigious three-day events, culminating in being the top-placed U.S. finisher at the Barbury Castle CIC*** last weekend, clinched her place on the team.

Ovation recognized Tiana’s precociousness as a rider early on and has since welcomed her onto their roster of sponsored riders. Needless to say, when she made the Olympic squad, Ovation was over the moon!

We asked Ovation to tell us about Tiana’s partnership with Ovation, and the inside scoop on her favorite Ovation products! Here’s what they had to say:

We here at Ovation knew that Tiana Coudray was something special when we saw her first compete at the 2004 North American Young Riders’ Championships. That year Tiana and her teammates brought home the Gold, and she also brought home individual Silver.

Watching her amazing progression in 2004 and 2005 cemented it for us – a partnership had formed in our minds, and, in 2006, we became an official sponsor of Tiana’s. Through the years, we have laughed, cried, celebrated on behalf of and sat perched at the edge of our seats as she blazed her way across the eventing scene, first with Danny, and now with Finn. We are so thrilled that this year’s Olympic Selection Committee agrees with our opinion of her excellence!

The 2005, 2007 and 2009 USEA Young Rider of the Year uses our Ovation Ultra DX and Celebrity Breeches, Ovation Reins and Ovation Sync Helmet, to name a few products. She is also sponsored by our sister brands Mountain Horse and Veredus.

We would like to give Tiana and Finn a Standing Ovation for being named to the London Olympic Squad, and extend our best wishes for the safety and performance of all Team USA’s horse and rider combinations.

Tiana & Finn at Barbury Castle. Photo: Samantha Clark

Go Tiana, Go Ovation, and Go Riding!