For the week of July 16 - 22, 2003

A gold medal in store for Debbie McDonald?

Local equestrian awaits ruling

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By JODY ZARKOS
Express Staff Writer

Debbie McDonald of River Grove Farms in Hailey is one of the best and most successful dressage riders in the world.

Depending on the outcome of a drug test she might be number one in the world.

McDonald won the silver medal at the World Cup Championships in Göteberg, Sweden last March. It was the best-ever finish by an American rider at that event. The gold medalist was Ulla Salzgeber of Germany.

Salzgeber’s horse, Rusty, subsequently tested positive for a level of testosterone over the threshold limit permitted by the internationally-governed Federal Equestrian International.

The FEI is currently investigating the case and a ruling against Salzegeber could strip her of the gold medal and earnings, bumping McDonald to number one.

McDonald explained, "They say it was given to the horse for a skin condition. Apparently she has hired a high-powered attorney to try and prolong the decision. That way she can compete in the European championships in August."

McDonald, who also won both individual and team bronze medals at the #1 show in the world at Aachen, Germany in June, said she has adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

"In this sport I have learned to take things like this in stride. It would be nice, though. I would actually win the World Cup title. The prize money would double and I would receive a brand new Volvo.

"I’ll wait, though, and let them deal with it," she said.

McDonald said she has been busy readying for the Sun Valley Symphony’s gala event which will be staged at River Grove Farm on Aug. 6.

The 2002 and 2001 national dressage champion, McDonald will perform with the symphony on the champion mare Brentina owned by Peggy and Parry Thomas.

It’s been a good year so far for McDonald, a native Californian who was approved in April as the newest U.S. Dressage Federation Certified Instructor Program examiner.

Last year, McDonald was a member of the 2002 U.S. World Equestrian Games silver-medal team. She has captured team and individual gold medals in the Pan American Games.

 

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