2016 WEC on Endurance.netTom Hagis and Indian Reinman, from Fries, Virginia, Ellen Olson and Bey Gibby, from La Motte, Iowa, and Dr Meg Sleeper and Shyrocco Rimbaud, from Frenchtown, New Jersey, will be traveling to Samorin, Slovakia for the 2016 World Endurance Championship on September 15-16.
All three riders are raising money in various ways to help cover expenses, and they each have a GoFundMe page set up for those who want to contribute.
Tom says:
My 10 year old Arabian gelding Indian Reinman and I have been chosen the represent the USA at the World Endurance Championship in Samorin, Slovakia next month. To help offset the tremendous cost of sending Reinman, Gina and a crew to the venue I am asking my friends to help. If we can spread the cost burden amoung the several hundred friends that we all have, this will be a reality. I am honored and humbled by this experience. The ride was originally scheduled for Dec. in the UAE but has been moved to Sept. in Slovakia. That doesn't leave us much time but with all your help I will proudly represent you and the USA. Welcome to Team Hagis and Team USA. I thank you all!!
See more on Tom at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/Slovakia/2016WorldEnduranceChampionship/Tom01.html
Ellen says:
Gibbys going to Slovokia for the Endurance World Championships!! Due to the change in location and short timeframe we are looking for support with the cost of shipping him over! Gibby is 16 and this is his second World Championship and last hurrah" per say overseas! Gibby has had a fantastic year and worked soo hard to participate in the WEC! So we are looking for help in supporting Gibbs! We ship out in ONE MONTH!!! gooooo Gibbs!!!
See more on Ellen at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/Slovakia/2016WorldEnduranceChampionship/Ellen01.html
Meg Sleeper says:
We are organizing for the trip to Slovakia for the world championship and there are so many loose ends to tie up!! I am rarely on FB, but posts get forwarded so I think I have read them all. I apologize for not responding to each one, but it is impossible for me to express how much the generous donations and the well wishes mean to me!! It makes me realize how fortunate I have been…not only am I able to compete in a sport that is my passion, but I work in a profession I love and have so many remarkable friends!! Thank each and everyone one of you! In particular, I need to thank Robyn, who set up the gofundme site (https://www.gofundme.com/MegSleeperEnduranc) and has been absolutely leaving no stone unturned in her attempt to help raise funds for this event! She even reached out to Bill Gates!! Thanks to Triple Crown and Southern States Feed- not only for making fabulous products that have helped us get here, but also for helping with travel support. Thanks to OmegaAlpha for nutritional supplements that support top level equine athletes (and dogs and humans too!).
I will try to send updates periodically as we prepare, and as frequently as possible once we start the journey. I usually send out an email blog, but I will post it on FB and the gofundme site as well. The horses will leave from JFK on September thth following a 6 hour quarantine and land in Frankfurt on the 5th. They will then van to Samorin, Slovakia and arrive at the venue on the 6th. Opening ceremonies are on September 15th at 8pm, first inspection is on the 16th and the ride starts on September 17th at 6 am. For anyone interested, here is the link for the event website: http://www.wech2016.com. The venue looks gorgeous and there should be live streaming during the event.
See more on Meg at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/Slovakia/2016WorldEnduranceChampionship/Meg01.html
Stay tuned for more information and stories from the 2016 WEC here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/Slovakia/2016WorldEnduranceChampionship/
