Loiacono ranked first by USEF

LEXINGTON, VA — Olivia Loiacono of Bonsall won Top Young Rider in the CCI** division at the prestigious Jersey Fresh three-day event and was named to the North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYRC) Area VI two-star team, scheduled for July 31-August 5. As she goes for the gold at championships on her thoroughbred, “Subway,” Loiacono is currently ranked number one by the United States Equestrian Association (USEF) in the Young Rider Intermediate Division and number three overall in all young rider divisions of the United States Eventing Association.

Loiacono and teammate Jenny Brannigan are the only participating riders from California’s Area VI two-star division competing in this premier equestrian event for riders ages 18-21. At this year’s event, she will be joining young equestrians from Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean Islands and the United States for a chance to win team and individual championships in the Olympic equestrian eventing discipline. The NAJYRC operates under the rules of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport.

“Olivia certainly has the talent and work ethic to excel on the international stage, and if she keeps the right horse under her, she is going to continue to be atop the leader board,” said coach Bruce “Buck” Davidson, Jr. “Plus, she’s just a great person.”

Since winning “Horse of the Year” honors in USEF Area VI (California and Hawaii) Preliminary Division with Subway in 2006 under Olympian Hawley Bennett, Loiacono has been competing under Davidson’s guidance. Recently, she won two intermediate and two preliminary events with Subway and came in 10th at the notorious Jersey Fresh event.

“I am thrilled to be able to contend for the Young Rider North American Championships this year,” said Loiacono. “It’s very gratifying for me to compete with and against the very best young riders in North America at the two-star level and under FEI rules.”

Eventing combines three categories – dressage, show jumping and cross-country – to give each team of horse and rider a cumulative score over the course of three days. Each category is designed to test the endurance and ability of both horse and rider. A rider must compete with the same horse for all three phases.

About Olivia Loiacono

Last year, Loiacono, an “A” United States Pony Club member, was honored with the prestigious Don Diego Scholarship, granted by the San Diego County branch of 4H in conjunction with the Don Diego Fund. She is currently enrolled at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.