Lexington, KY – May 2, 2012 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Pinnacle Cup Trophy at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** is Allison Springer of Upperville, VA. Springer and her horse Arthur were the highest placed U.S. pair, finishing in second place at the top event, held April 29-29, 2012. Her remarkable score earned her the Pinnacle Cup Trophy, the red ribbon finish and the prize for best-conditioned horse.
Springer rode Arthur through a careful track on the cross-country course, taking a long route through the angled brushes to assure themselves no jumping faults. Her conservative approach did incur time penalties, but she concluded the phase with a score of 43 and only 3.2 time faults. A four-fault total in the show jumping arena meant that Fox-Pitt, secured the top spot, but Springer’s overall performance was right at the top of the leader board.
“I have been coming to this event for many years with Arthur, and I have always believed in his talent and his ability,” Springer described. “It would have been great to have won, but what we were really working for were three solid phases, which we accomplished. It is a great feeling to have worked so hard and then come out here and achieve it.”
It was apparent that although Springer did not claim the championship prize, the 37-year-old eventing rider and trainer could not wipe the smile from her face. Winning the Pinnacle Cup is an achievement that Springer is ecstatic to have received.
She represents the best of America’s growing equestrian talent in many ways, a claim that is proven by the Pinnacle Cup Trophy. As an athlete and a rider, Springer continues to pursue her career through dedication and consistency, and aspires to represent the United States in the Olympics.
“I cannot thank the USET Foundation enough for the honor of the Pinnacle Cup. With it being an Olympic year, the Rolex event really proved that America has the riders and horses to bring home the individual and team medals. Hopefully the team will call on me, and I will be able to support our country in London,” she stated.
Springer continued, “I’ve kind of had a different approach to the year, I think I have always been so focused on the year-end result. This year I have really concentrated on more of the path to that end goal and what I need to do everyday. It’s hard when it is such a big deal and my goal is to go to the Olympics, but I am just working one day at a time.” The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is a non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance athletes and horses in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.
For more information about the USET Foundation or to make a donation, please call (908) 234-1251 or visit the USET Foundation website at www.uset.org.
Previous Pinnacle Cup Trophy Winners:
2011: Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville 2010: Phillip Dutton and Woodburn 2009: Buck Davidson and My Boy Bobby 2008: Phillip Dutton and Connaught 2007: Phillip Dutton and Connaught 2006: Heidi White Carty and Northern Spy 2005: Kim Severson and Winsome Adante 2004: Kim Severson and Winsome Adante 2003: Bruce O. Davidson, Jr. and Mystic Mike 2002: Kim Vinoski (Severson) and Winsome Adante 2001: David O’Connor and Giltedge 2000: David O’Connor and Rattle N Hum 1999: Karen O’Connor and Prince Panache 1998: Dorothy Crowell and Molokai Previous to this date, the top American finisher was awarded the Gladstone Challenge Trophy. Photo Credit: USET Foundation Trustee Bruce Duchossois presents Allison Springer with the USET Foundation’s Pinnacle Cup Trophy as the highest placed American rider at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** with her mount, Arthur. Photo by: Nancy Jaffer. This photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.
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