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Eurodressage
F.O.C.U.S.
Tom Noone and Fresco Ready for the World Cup Final!
 Tom
Noone, the U.S. representative at the Dressage World
Cup Final, has arrived in Aarhus, Denmark in preparation
for the competition from April 5-8, 2001. Noone, 28,
from North Abington, MA, is riding Fresco, a 13 year-old
Westfalian gelding, owned by Francine Weiner-Govostes
from Canton, MA.
Noone traveled to Denmark from Germany where he had
been based for the past month at the new International
Academy in Warendorf. He had originally planned to compete
in a warm-up competition at Rhede, Germany until the
outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) caused its
cancellation. However, Noone remains positive about
his preparation after the horse traveled well and was
taken for a gentle hack this morning. “He felt very
good after the long drive and is as well prepared as
he can be given the circumstances,” explained Noone
who had to obtain special papers for the horse to be
allowed to travel outside Germany.
Warendorf is among many riding establishments and
competition venues that have been closed down in Europe
due to FMD. This will be the biggest challenge so far
for Noone and Fresco whose last outing was during the
Washington International Horse Show last October when,
as the top placed U.S. rider at the 2000 United States
Dressage League Finals, they qualified for the World
Cup Final in Denmark.
Tom Noone has been riding since he was three years
old. He has a lifelong list of dressage accomplishments,
both national and regional, from training level to Grand
Prix on several mounts. He is a USDF Bronze, Silver
and Gold medallist. In 1997, Noone and Fresco earned
first place in the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle
at Dressage at Saratoga and Dressage at Devon. They
also won the WFDA East Coast Riders Cup.
Noone, with Fresco, was the top placing U.S. rider
at the 2000 United States Dressage League Finals held
during the Washington International Horse Show, October
22-29. Noone was second overall to Germany’s Daniela
Groenke. As the highest placed U.S. rider, Noone qualified
to represent the United States in the 2001 FEI World
Cup Finals
Image copyrighted: Mary
Phelps/Phelps Photo
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