Subway wins International Competition

FALLBROOK — Local thoroughbred Subway has taken the International Event, winning over competition from Germany, France and the USA. Fresh ingredients such as soy, alfalfa and corn topped Subway’s list of dietary protein to meet a variety of needs to win the competition. Subway, a 16.2 thoroughbred, was in first place of the competition from the first day of the three-day event (dressage, show jumping and eventing) and was being ridden by Olivia Loiacono.

The International Horse Trials competition provided excitement, with only eight one-hundredths separating the top three competitors, but it was Olivia who brought home the top honor.

“Olivia embodies the competitive nature that it takes to train and compete on the International stage,” stated Frank “Scoop” Vessels, President of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “Her skills on and off these fine horses exemplify our youths’ talent here in the US, and to watch her role in training and competing against the very best in the world should be applauded!”

Olivia competed under the guidance of Hawley Bennett, the top-placed member of the Canadian Eventing Team competing at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and Dressage Coach Erin Mashburn. At the age of 17 (one of the youngest Americans to achieve this prestigious merit), Olivia accomplished the goal of the highest United States Pony Club, rating an “A,” and now is winning at the international level against some of the world’s best equestrian three-day eventers. Olivia has produced numerous Area VI award-winners with successful horse-and-rider combinations at training and preliminary rider levels. From the Kingsway facility in Temecula, Olivia has produced CIC superstar Subway, the 2006 CCI first place winner in the International Horse Trails at Twin Rivers. Subway is formerly owned by Major Leagues Baseball’s MVP Troy Glaus and his wife Anne.

As Olivia continues to compete on the international circuit she will do it from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she is a freshman. She is an agricultural business student and earlier this year she was awarded the Don Diego Scholarship, a college scholarship given to one 4H participant in San Diego who demonstrates the talent for organization, leadership and innovation while making a valuable contribution to the community. Olivia hopes to one day be part of the USA Olympic Eventing Team. She will be back in Southern California in November as she once again competes with Subway at Galway Downs in Temecula.