Neither Lisee nor Adrienne is on the short list
Big financial donations do help riders get on a selected team 
unofficially of course
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No, but Aaron Vale, Lillie, and Karl all are. And seem fair contenders for the alternate spot.
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Speaking of Aaron Vale.
He had some interesting comments on this podcast last month. His section is about twenty minutes long, starting around ten minutes in.
Well, given the results of today’s Rome Nations Cup, I’m betting that Aaron Vale has the last spot on the team. I was hoping for Lillie or Karl, but Aaron finished on 0+0 today.
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Is there a link to full results somewhere? Thanks in advance.
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Article with link to full results: https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/netjets-us-jumping-team-starts-european-season
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Thanks!!
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Thanks for the link!
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Jump off
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Thanks!
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Then had 4 faults in the GP when Karl went double clear. The same team goes to France next, so while I think its too early to tell, it does seem like Aaron and Karl are the top contenders for the alternate slot.
ETA: France, not Switzerland!
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Aaron could definitely grab it.
However, I think one four fault round in the team and then going to win the Rome GP definitely still puts Karl in a solid contention for the spot.
All eyes on the next stop!
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They just announced the team for LaBaule:
Karl Cook
Kent Farrington
Lillie Keenan
Aaron Vale
McLain Ward
I’m curious which horses Kent and McLain take - it only announced riders.
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I hope Aaron gets the alternate spot. He has worked very hard and has competed on a lot of tough horses.
I do love Karl’s mare.
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I do, too!
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Here’s the problem with Karl: he buys these fabulous amazing horses who can jump the moon and win because they are so talented but if something goes wrong, he just melts down. He’s done it several times, most recently at the Pan Ams. I don’t think he, as a rider, has what it takes to be depended on as a team rider. I personally don’t think he can ride but that’s immaterial when you’re on a 10mil dollar horse who can jump anything. So long as the rider doesn’t screw up. Aaron, however, has experience and grit and finesse. He would be my pick
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I feel like all of the potential riders for the alternate spot have their issues, so I’m just hoping whoever it is is not needed. Aaron is clearly the most experienced rider of the bunch, but his horse is very green at the top levels, isn’t it? Karl is inconsistent, but when he’s on, he’s on fire. Pan Am meltdown aside, I think he really cares about his horses and is very focused on learning to do better in every aspect of the horse world. I’m in the minority here because I am rooting for him. Lillie consistently doesn’t win, and I just don’t get the feeling from watching her in the jumpoffs she gets to that she really wants it that badly. She’s very good at matching her odd colored jackets with each of her horses though, and she gets some very pretty pictures to put on instagram.
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