It was two weeks of excitement as the best of the equestrian world converged on Normandy, France for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Charles Owen riders shined in all of the disciplines–taking home medals of every color.
Charles Owen is proud to support many riders from around the world and considers each one of them a member of the Charles Owen Family. Like all families we cheered our riders on with delight and enjoyed riding every step of the way with them at the WEG.
The WEG started out with great excitement and fanfare as Charlotte Dujardin dominated the dressage competition once again coming home with three individual gold medals and a team silver. Charlotte and Valegro earned an 85% in the Team Grand Prix, then continued to raise their scores throughout the week with an 86% in the Grand Prix Special and an amazing 92% in the Freestyle. Charlotte rode throughout the week–as she always does–in a Navy Ayr8 Leather Look with Red and White Patent Piping. This helmet color combination has become Charlotte’s signature look as it is both patriotic and elegant.
Over in the Para Dressage ring, Sophie Christiansen earned a team gold medal, then added to her impressive collection with an individual gold medal in Level 1A aboard Janeiro 6. The popularity of Para Equestrian has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years, and Charles Owen has been there since the very beginning supporting para-riders from all over the world.
Continuing on with the competition, the eventers took center stage with Charles Owen supporting both Team Ireland and Team USA. The entire US Team put on a bold statement by all wearing Navy Ayr8 Leather Looks with Red and Blue Patent piping in the dressage–showing their stand on safety and Team USA. The US team then continued on in the cross-country wearing 4Star and Pro II helmets and brand new Charles Owen body protectors. Charles Owen rider and Team USA member, Boyd Martin went on to place 8th individually riding Shamwari 4 and wearing Charles Owen products the entire time along the way.
Team Ireland rocked their traditional green on cross-country with their bespoke green 4Stars and completed the competition on the show jumping with the Irish Flag Ayrbrush helmets–finishing in sixth place and earning a coveted spot for the Rio Olympics.
As the dressage and eventing riders headed home, the show jumpers and drivers were just starting their World Equestrian Games experience. Team USA was anchored by Charles Owen rider Beezie Madden wearing a traditional Black Ayr8 Leather Look. She came out strong winning the bronze medal. Beezie and her wonder mount Cortes ‘C’ went on to win the individual bronze medal as well. Cortes was then named best show jumping horse at the WEG having jumped clean rounds with all four riders in the Final–a testament to Beezie and John Madden Sales’ impressive training program.
Success for Charles Owen riders came often in the show jumping with Gerco Schroder aiding Team Netherlands to a gold medal finish and earning an individual top 25 spot himself. Team Ireland, once again sponsored by Charles Owen, finished 7th as a Team with Charles Owen rider, Darragh Kenny, ending the week in individual 12th. Longtime Charles Owen rider Rodrigo Pesso earned a Team 5th with Brazil and finished 21st overall. All in all it was an exciting competition for the show jumpers wearing their Charles Owen Ayr8 helmets!
Rounding out the two weeks of excitement was the driving competition which started out with a bang for Charles Owen with Chester Weber winning the dressage portion. He would go on to finish with an individual silver medal. Chester and his team wear custom Red Gr8 helmets and jL9 body protectors during the marathon phase.
Charles Owen is honored to stand behind our riders and looks forward to cheering them on for years to come.
Known throughout the world as the leader in equestrian helmet design, Charles Owen & Co. represents more than 100 years of innovation and style for a safer world. Each Charles Owen helmet is handcrafted using the highest quality materials. With the largest range of helmet styles and shapes, independently certified to up to four international equestrian safety standards, Charles Owen offers a wider range of protection in a potential accident. For further information please visit www.charlesowen.co.uk.
