We have a team in Spain.
Alice Debany-Clero
Richard Spooner
Clare Bronfman
I have enjoyed reading all of your sister’s posts from Europe on Towerheads, and am glad she let you reprint her most recent one here.
I am so proud that the US will be represented in Spain, and know that representing our country will be an amazing experience for all the team members!! 
How dare George Morris be so mean spirited,especially at this time.
Good luck to the riders from USA.I’m glad they will be able to fly the flag,I know they will get probably the best reception ever.
I’m not going to say anymore,I’m disgusted with ‘himself’[GM]and uset,they should encourage these riders who are willing to go.
fernie fox
“I have lived my life-it is nearly done-.I have played the game all round;But I freely admit that the best of my fun I owe it to Horse and Hound”.
Yes, I checked and the Natural is turned out and enjoying life!
Well done is right!
Thank you Alice, Clare and Richard for picking up the ball…Great news MAD and Weatherford…
OOOOPPPPPS Yes I meant USET.
USA Equestrian // News // 21 September, 2001//
NATIONS CUP FINAL IN MADRID TO INCLUDE U.S. REPRESENTATION
USA Equestrian (formerly AHSA) announced today that the World Final of the Samsung Nations Cup Series (Jumping), to be held this weekend in Madrid (ESP) will include representation of the United States. USA Equestrian is the National Equestrian Federation of the United States. The Nations Cup Final will be on Sunday, September 23, 2001.
Riders for the USA are scheduled to be Clare Bronfman (Charlton), Alice Debany Clero (CEO and Loro Piano Jumbo), and Richard Spooner (Robinson FRH and Incento). Debany Clero has been named Chef d’Equipe.
Sherry Frank, Assistant Executive Director-International Services for the Federation, explained, "The United States Equestrian Team last week announced that the riders and horses previously scheduled to compete would not be going, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. “We were informed of strong interest in the Final by U.S. riders already competing in Europe, as well as our international federation (FEI) and the sponsors and organizers. Everyone wanted to know if a substitute team could be assembled. The FEI, the sponsors, and the organizers were very strong in their view that it was particularly important for the USA to be represented given what had happened, since to do otherwise would appear to be a victory for terrorism.”
Frank and Athletes Services representatives, Cindy Stys and Lynn Lopez, immediately started making the necessary contacts, reaching out to all those involved, including USA Equestrian president Alan F. Balch.
“I am heartened and impressed with how thoroughly and quickly everyone responded,” said Balch. “Clearly, the U.S. riders in Europe wanted to see our flag flying in the Final, and so did the organizers, sponsors, and the FEI. We were doubtful at first that under the difficult circumstances of travel whether this could be arranged, but everyone has come through. We are particularly grateful for the support of the FEI, and of Samsung, the sponsors, who really made this possible. This is the essence of sporting spirit.”
Balch said he was aware of the possibility of controversy about fielding a team in this manner. “Of course, opinions will always differ about the right response in a situation like this. Our job as the National Federation is to maximize opportunities for qualified athletes to represent our country in international competition. When international organizers, our own IF, and the riders themselves take the initiative as they have here, particularly for such an important competition, we owe it to the sport to be responsive and help all we can. My own personal feeling, and their feeling, is that terrorists cannot ever be rewarded for their cowardly acts.”
“For me personally it was very important to have the American team here for the global aspect of the World Final of the Samsung Nations Cup Series during this time. We have made a lot of effort for the American team to participate,” said Ulf Rosengren, Director of the Samsung Nations Cup Series.
The decision to send this particular team was not embraced by all. When I spoke to Alice I told her that I was very proud of her that she had made the decision to go, even if it may not be the most appropriate show for her horses at this time.
One of her horses does not fly well and had to fly without any tranquilizer (which was quite scary as I understand it) because it was so close to the time she had to compete.
I think that competing in a Nations Cup with physical and mental preparation is difficult at the best of times. This team is showing incredible courage and needs our support.
God Bless America
I believe George missed the point of the Americans competing…
I hope you will post info on results as soon as you get wind.
Pass on our best wishes and thumbs up of support. I am sure the experience will be memorable for all the right reasons.
Thanks, also to our team in Spain!
Coming in on this a little late…
First of all, nice job and congratulations to those who represented the USA. I completely disagree with George Morris – this was EXACTLY the time to let those who were already there compete.
MAD, thanks so much for your posts about the event and the ones excerpting Alice’s article about showing in Italy. Very moving stuff.
No word on this from USET as of yet, I can’t help but notice…
Thank you, MAD! I found your sister’s account of her days showing in Italy very touching. Tell her I wish her – and the whole team – luck in raising the American flag again!
And I think USET’s sounds like the pot calling the kettle Black & Decker.
I hope this works:
CSIO Madrid Spain
And if not:
http://www.dazelo.com/samsungfinal/web/eng/
There is a beautiful picture of Richard in the photo gallery.
[This message was edited by MAD on Sep. 23, 2001 at 09:23 AM.]
I was able to watch the second round on t.v. last night. The announcer commented a few times on how wonderful it was to have a U.S. team there. Claire Bronfman had a beautiful clear round in the second round. I think if we had a 4th rider, we would have been right up there in contention!
“OOOh say can you see…”
God Bless America!! 
Wow… that is truly a heartening thing to read. What a wonderful thing that American riders will be competing there after all.
One of the most inspiring things I’ve read in a long time.
