FAIR HILL, Md., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Olivia Loiacono, aboard Subway, won two prestigious awards at Dansko Fair Hill International on Sunday, the "Markham" Trophy and the "CCI*** Fittest Horse." At 20 years old, riding under the guidance of Gold Medal Olympian David O'Connor and competitor Karen O'Connor, Olivia competed against several other Olympians such as Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin in the Championship.

Olivia's placing of 13th overall earned her the prestigious "Markham" Trophy, an award presented to the highest placed United States Young Rider (up to age 21) in the competition by the United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET). "The honor of the Markham Trophy was fantastic, and to have my name engraved next the greatest in the sport is humbling," she added. "And, to have Subway be named the most fit horse by the CCI*** veterinarians was the icing on the cake." Her placing qualifies for the CCI**** 2010 Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event on NBC April 22-25, 2010.

The veterinarians whom examined each horse in the over 60-horse competition recognized Subway as the "fittest horse". This award recognizes the ultimate test of conditioning of the horse by its' rider and coaches. Through 3 days of competition in dressage, endurance on the 3 mile cross country course, and stadium jumping, the horse and rider teams work together to show that they can compete in the most demanding and highest levels of equestrian sports.

This year, Animal Planet featured Olivia & Subway for 26 straight weeks in promotional spots that highlighted their hit television show Faithful Friends. Faithful Friends sponsors the eventing combination of Olivia & Subway, and has featured them several times in interviews and competition starting with her recognition of an "A" rating as a United States Pony Club (USPC).

In addition to Olivia's titles, her teammate riding for Team O'Connor, 23-year-old Hannah Burnett, picked up the USEF Young Adult Champion, and also recognition for the CCI** fittest horse and won the CCI** National Championship.

About United States Equestrian Team

USET is a non-profit organization that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to represent our country in major international competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships. (http://www.uset.org/)

About Faithful Friends

Faithful Friends (http://www.faithfulfriends.tv) is known for empowering pet owners by providing extensive veterinarian-supported advice, proprietary information and quality pet products, serving millions of pet owners from coast to coast via their extensive website, and the television series "Faithful Friends" on Animal Planet and features animation of NASCAR's Jeff Gordon, WWE Champion Bill Goldberg as produced by Heads & Tails, Inc.

SOURCE Faithful Friends

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.faithfulfriends.tv
http://www.uset.org