February 1, 2014 — The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased announce that Nancy Becker and Gary Garone have been named coaches of the 2014 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team. They will coach the team before and during the 2014 Saddle Seat World Cup, which will be held July 22-26 at the Blue Ridge Classic Horse Show in the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center.
Becker (Nicholasville, Ky.) has supported the Saddle Seat World Cup effort for years, including serving as Executive Director of United States Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup, Inc. from 2000-2005, and as President of the International Saddle Seat Equitation Association from 2006-2010. In 2005, she was presented with the American Saddlebred Horse Association’s Gordon Jenkins Award for International Promotion of the American Saddlebred. Two years later, Becker was inducted into the United Professional Horseman’s Association (UPHA) Helen K. Crabtree Instructor Hall of Fame. Becker is also a USEF “R” Licensed judge and has officiated on at both National and International level competitions.
Garone (Richmond, N.H.) has been an instructor of Saddle Seat horsemanship for over 30 years and has coached riders to World and National titles. He was the UPHA Chapter 14 Chairman for five years and currently serves as UPHA President. He is a USEF “R” Licensed judge and has officiated at prestigious events including the UPHA Finals, Morgan Grand National, and the Saddle Seat World Cup.
In 2014, the United States will field a team of 10 athletes and two alternates to represent the U.S. in North Carolina. To learn about the 2014 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team click here.
The 2014 World Cup Team efforts are supported by USA Equestrian Trust, UPHA, and 6D Ranch. To learn more about contributing to and supporting the 2014 Team efforts, go to www.usasaddleseatworldcup.org, or contact Lori Nelson, USEF Assistant Executive Director, National Affiliates, at lnelson@usef.org.
