U.S. Equestrian Federation officials extended an invitation to the top 12 dressage horse/rider combinations in the United States to participate in the 2008 USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship/USEF Selection Trials for the U.S. Olympic dressage team. These horse/rider combinations are the top 12 from the 2008 USEF Grand Prix Dressage and Selection Trials Ranking List as of June 2, 2008.
 
The following combinations have been invited (in ranked order):
 
1. Debbie McDonald, Hailey, Idaho, with Brentina, a 17-year-old Hanoverian mare owned by Peggy Thomas.
 
2. Steffen Peters, San Diego, Calif., with Ravel, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Akiko Yamazaki.
 
3. Courtney King, New Milford, Conn., with Idocus, an 18-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Christine McCarthy.
 
4. Sue Blinks, Encinitas, Calif., with Mark, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Louise Leatherdale.
 
5. Debbie McDonald with Felix, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Peggy Thomas.
 
6. Steffen Peters with Lombardi 11, a 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Akiko Yamazaki.
 
7. Courtney King with Harmony’s Mythilus, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Leslie Malone.
 
8. Michael Barisone, Califon, N.J., with Neruda, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Jane Suwalsky.
 
9. Kristina Harrison-Naness, Burbank, Calif., with Rociero XV, a 13-year-old Andalusian stallion owned by Margaret Carrera.
 
10. Leslie Morse, Beverly Hills, Calif., with Kingston, a 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by the rider.
 
11. Lisa Wilcox, Loxahatchee, Fla., with Naomi, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Janet Bell.
 
12T. George Williams, Delaware, Ohio, with Rocher, a 17-year-old Westphalian mare owned by Charles Smith.
 
12T. Heather Blitz, Denmark, with Otto, a 12-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by the rider.

 The selection trials will take place during the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., on June 21-22 and June 27-29.  This unique championship festival will also award National Championship titles for the Intermediaire I, Young Adult “Brentina Cup,” Young Rider and Junior divisions.

More information about the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions can be found here: http://www.dressageontheroadtohongkong.com/.