PrintIn this monthly series leading up to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in September and October, we watch a different competitor each month prepare for competition.
For U.S. reiners, the battle began well before the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (Ky.) opening ceremonies.
“This selection trial is going to be as tough as any reining we’ve had for a long time,” said Tim McQuay, a legend in reining who brought home team gold and individual silver as a member of the 2006 WEG team. “Personally, I think the selection trial is going to be tougher than the competition in Kentucky.”
Reiners have competed for a year at qualifying shows to earn a place on the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s long list, which includes 49 riders. These riders go head-to-head on July 6-10 in Oklahoma City, Okla., for the selection trial. The top four riders at the trial, plus an alternate, will comprise the five-rider short list for the WEG.
“That reining arena and competition is going to be very tough. There are so many guys that are qualified and a lot of good horses going,” McQuay said.
McQuay chose two stallions for his WEG bid—Smart And Shiny, 7, and Hollywoodstinseltown, 6.
“They’re very experienced. We’ve had them both throughout their show careers. And I’ve showed them sparingly, recently, with the WEG in mind,” McQuay said.
McQuay owns Smart And Shiny in partnership with singer and actor Lyle Lovett. Hollywoodstinseltown is owned by Dave and Bonnie Silva and is by the legendary Hollywood Dun It and out of Miss Tinseltown, a mare McQuay showed to many impressive wins.
“They’re very sound and good-minded. They’re both aggressive and physical horses when they show,” said McQuay, who picked those two as his WEG prospects last year. “We want to choose really fresh and sound horses. Both of these horses have been in our program the whole time and are just nice horses.”
He Won’t Settle For Silver Again
Should he ride to the top of the selection trial in July and travel to Ken-tucky for the WEG, McQuay, 58, is determined to redeem himself.
Four years ago, at the 2006 WEG in Aachen, Germany, McQuay helped the U.S. team claim gold, then found himself battling for individual gold as well.
Aboard Mr. Nicadual, McQuay concluded the individual competition tied for first with Canadian reiner Duane Latimer. In a thrilling ride-off for the gold medal, McQuay made one mistake with Mr. Nicadual, and the chestnut threw in an extra lead change. The slip cost them the gold, as their score fell 2 points shy of Latimer’s mark.
“If I could do it over again, I would have just protected him a smidgeon more, and we probably would have won,” McQuay said. “After that, I was kicking myself a bit. I’d like to go back and redeem myself.”
Competing at the 2006 WEG was a great experience for McQuay, as reining has exploded in popularity in Europe in the past decade.
“[The ’06 WEG at] Aachen was just unbelievable,” he said. McQuay got to watch other disciplines compete and was fascinated. He was also struck by the incredible atmosphere of a multi-discipline championship.
