“We have cleared the first hurdle, which is the jog, and everyone is excited to move onto the competition,” said Petska. “The riders and horses are looking good thanks to all of the support from USEF, Platinum Performance, family, and our amazing staff. Now it's time for them to do what our horses and riders do best.”
Emilia Reutimann and Black Hails Gold: Fifteen-year-old Reutimann (Sherrills Ford, N.C.) has collected several titles in the past year, including the 2016 Congress Champion in the National Youth Activity Team Tournament Reining and the 2016 Level 1 Buckeye Reining Series Champion. At the 2017 National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) in April, Reutimann finished second in the CRIJ3* class. She will partner with Lisa Reutimann’s Black Hails Gold, a 2010 Quarter Horse gelding, for the first time in Givrins.
Sam Flarida and Footwork Revolution: Flarida (Springfield, Ohio) has been showing since the age of nine and already found much success. Fourteen-year-old Flarida is a three-time All American Quarter Horse Congress Champion and has placed in both ancillary and aged horse National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) events. At the Central New York Reining Horse Association (CNYRHA) Ride and Slide in April, he and Katsy Leeman’s Footwork Revolution, a 2010 Quarter Horse stallion, won the CRIJ3* class.
Emma Lane and Gunner Gump: Fourteen-year-old Lane (Gates, N.C.) began competing in reining at the age of eight. In 2016, she became the NRHA Youth 13 and Under World Champion. At the 2017 NRBC, Lane claimed top honors in the CRIJ3* class with Bundy Lane’s Gunner Gump. She and the 2008 Quarter Horse gelding look forward to their biggest challenge yet at the world championships.
The Platinum Performance U.S. Young Rider Team will compete in the following order:
Dani Latimer and Fancy Sailor Oak: Latimer (Marietta, Okla.) began showing at the age of six and has now reached the world stage. In 2016, she was the Youth 14-18 Champion in the NRHA Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship. Sixteen-year-old Latimer finished third in the CRIY3* at the NRBC earlier this year. She will partner with Angelucci Quarter Horses' Fancy Sailor Oak, a 2006 Quarter Horse gelding, for the first time in her world championship debut.
Gabriella “Boo” Kammerer and Gunners Star: Sixteen-year-old Kammerer (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) has been competing in reining since 2014 and has collected numerous accolades. She is a two-time Kentucky Reining Horse Association Champion and a two-time NRHA East Central Affiliate Champion. Kammerer and her own Gunners Star, a 2009 Paint gelding, finished second in the CRIJ3* class at the CNYRHA Ride and Slide to prepare for the world championship.
Cade McCutcheon and Yellow Jersey: Seventeen-year-old Cade McCutcheon (Aubrey, Texas) began his showing career at the age of seven. Some of McCutcheon’s most recent accomplishments include the 2014 NRHA Non-Pro Futurity Reserve Champion title, the 2016 SmartPak Tulsa Non-Pro Derby champion title, and the 2017 NRBC Level 4 Non-Pro Classic Reserve Champion title. Back in April, McCutcheon finished second in the CRIY3* class at the NRBC. He will partner with Tim and Colleen McQuay’s Yellow Jersey in Givrins. McCutcheon’s mother, Mandy, teamed up with the 2004 Quarter Horse stallion to win team gold and individual bronze medals at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Jack Medows and Wimpys Show Stopper:Â Though 20-year-old Jack Medows (Cuba, Mo.) has been around horses most of his life, he first began competing in reining in 2011. His notable achievements include being named 2016 American Quarter Horse Association World Champion in Reining, 2016 NRHA Futurity Non-Pro Champion, and 2017 NRBC Non-Pro Champion. He and his own Wimpys Show Stopper, a 2006 Quarter Horse gelding, won the CRIY3* at the NRBC in April and now have their sights set on the world championship.