DEBBIE MCDONALD
Born: 1954
Residence: Hailey, ID
Discipline: Dressage

Horse: Brentina
16-year-old Hanoverian Mare
owned by Mr. and Mrs. E. Parry Thomas

Debbie McDonald was the first American to claim the title World Cup Dressage Champion in 2003, an honor she shares with Brentina, her partner of 13 years. In 2005 Brentina was named the inaugural Farnam Platform USEF Horse of the Year after an outstanding season which included a win in the U.S. Grand Prix Freestyle Championship/U.S. League Finals (repeating a win from the year before). Debbie and Brentina also won the 2003 Bayer USET Festival of Champions, Grand Prix Championship, a Team Silver medal at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Spain and a Team Bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics. As members of the 2006 World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage team, Debbie and Brentina rode a clutch performance to secure the Team Bronze medal.

"I just wanted to let everyone know just how important the support that we get from generous donations is what makes the success of the U.S. Equestrian Teams possible. This money goes to transportation of all disciplines all over the world. This alone could stop some of the horse and rider combinations from being able to compete, not to mention vets, farriers, hotels, entry fees and everyday expenses. What many people don't know is that when we travel to Pan Am, WEG, World Cup, and Olympic Games, it sometimes means being away from home for over a month. When riders leave home for this long, we are not getting any income. This can make things very difficult for us and without your support we could not do all of this. The U.S. has been successful because of YOU! I can't thank you enough for your generosity."
-- Debbie McDonald