United States Riders “Survive” for Fourth in Very Difficult Nations Cup at Gijon CSI 5*
Gijon, Spain – August 9, 2025 - The second of three stops on the West Coast Active Riders (WCAR) current European tour has been completed, with competition at the CSI 5* event at Gijon, Spain ending on Monday.
The WCAR team is comprised of Joie Gatlin, Francie Steinwedell Carvin, Jenni Martin, and Susan Artes. Bernie Traurig is George Morris’ associate Chef d’ Equipe for the West Coast.
The team came up with a hard fought fourth place finish in the Nations Cup and Jenny Martin grabbed two top placings as well.
Associate Chef d’ Equipe Bernie Traurig said that the Nations Cup test in Gijon was formidable, “Spanish course builder, Avelino Rodriques Miravelles set a course that asked all the questions. Difficult technical lines that demanded immediate ride ability including a short approach off a turn, to a scopey oxer – oxer – vertical triple combination, and again also a short approach to a very large triple bar. The last line, at the end of the course, by the total results of the class, was possibly too difficult,” admitted Traurig. “A big triple bar off the short turn combined with an extremely short 5 to a vertical oxer double. A tall vertical going in to a super short square 1.60m oxer over a liverpool claimed many faults,” he said.
“Many of the foreign riders thought the test was not only demanding, but possibly a bit too hard. Walking the course, I had survival on my mind,” he said. “Our California girls pulled it off admirably though, and I was very proud of them. I was happy with the fourth (out of eight) place finish. The French were first and the Spanish second, both with their World Championship teams,” he added.
On Saturday night, Jenni Martin, riding La Pinto, was 3rd in a speed and handy class with over 50 starters. Traurig described the course. “This was a very interesting, tricky 1.40m speed class that offered so many interesting options,” he said. “A triple combination on a curve that could be jumped four different ways, two different lines of planks that literally came down every time every time the wind blew, a big water and a very fast track.”
La Pinto is a new mount for Martin. Traurig detailed how the speed class unfolded. “Jenni went late in the class. Michel Robert from France was leading with a super fast time. Jenni who has has gained a lot of confidence in La Pinto’s footspeed and carefulness already, put in a really perfectly calculated fast ride only 1/10 off Michel’s time,” he said. “One more French rider went right behind her and took the lead leaving Jenni with a well deserved 3rd.” On Sunday, Martin notched a fifth place finish with La Pinto in the hit and hurry class.
The California girls talked about their experiences on the WCAR tour so far.
Martin said, “It’s a great feeling to be in the prize giving with these great riders.”
Joie Gatlin noted. “It’s been a great experience to be here with all my teammates and our
Chef d’ Equipe, Bernie Traurig. For my first time showing over here, it’s been a amazing. I am grateful to have had the opportunity.”
European veteran Francie Steinwedell Carvin said she was glad to be back. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to come back to Europe, and being on a California all girl team is very exciting. We’ve all learned a great deal, and what a wonderful learning experience for our green horses and for the riders. It helps us focus on what we need to do to in order to be competitive in the world and I’m very thankful for everyone who made this possible.”
It has been a learning experience for novice Susie Artez. “I’m pretty green to be here at this stage of my Grand Prix career. I’ve learned some hard lessons that will pay off for me in the future and I’m really glad I came.
Traurig set the scene in Spain. “It was yet another beautiful show grounds and the crowds were incredibly large and enthusiastic, especially since they can wager on the riders here,” he said with a laugh. “The organizing committee and the staff were super friendly and accommodating. It’s a top competition, as five star shows go, and just getting into the
victory gallop is quite a feat.”
The WCAR sponsored team will wrap up the tour in Valkenswaard, Holland.
Results - Nations Cup of Spain - International Team Comp. Table A in two Rounds Art. 264
1 FRANCE – 12.00
Florian, Angot -First De Launay HN
Laurent, Goffinet-Flipper D´Elle HN
Hervé, Godignon -Obelix
Michel, Robert-Galet D´Auzay
2 SPAIN – 24.00
Rutherford, Latham Morehead-Guarana Champeix
Ricardo, Jurado Narvaez-Procasa Le Monde
Sergio, Alvarez Moya-Le Reve De Nabab
Manuel, Fernandez Saro-Quin-Chin
3 GREAT BRITAIN – 35.00
Ellen, Whitaker -Ak Locarno 62
Robert, Whitaker-Nepos Van Limbo
Robert, Maguire-Mr Cawley
Duncan, Inglis-Sunkist
4 USA – 55.00
Joie, Gatlin-Suncal´S King
Jenni, Martin -V De Pomme
Susan, Artes-Presto B
Francie, Steinwedell-Carvin-Ness-Go
CASINO DE ASTURIAS - International Speed and Handiness Comp. 1.40 m Table C Art. 239
1-Florian Angot FRA-Javelot D´Helby-62.64
2-Michel Robert FRA-Koro D´Or-64.58
3-Jenni Martin USA-Lapinto-64.69
4-Jaime Azcarraga MEX-Forastero-68.07
5-Peter Charles IRL-Rock Star-68.50
6-Tim Rieskamp-Gödeking GER-Ladina 21-68.59
7-Laurent Goffinet FRA-Igor Des Fontenis-72.02
8-Thomas Frühmann AUT-Limited Edition 3-72.04
One Response to “United States Riders “Survive” for Fourth in Very Difficult Nations Cup at Gijon CSI 5*”
congrats girls and Bernie
mucky - August 10th, 2006 at 6:21 pmLeave a Response (or trackback on your own site)
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