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Debbie McDonald
- 2004 U.S. Olympic Team member
- Won team silver at the 2002 World Equestrian Games
- Won back-to-back U.S. Equestrian Team Grand Prix Championships in 2001 and 2002
- 2001 Bayer/USET Festival of Champions Grand Prix Champions
- Won individual and team gold medals at the 1999 Pan American Games
- Debbie’s husband, Bob, is a top trainer, clinician and judge.
- Is small in stature and has a short leg, but neither has kept her from riding success.
- Remembers being the “laughingstock” of the Orange County Fairgrounds because her reputation for always falling.
- Was named U.S. Equestrian Team “Athlete of the Month” for June 2002 and March 2003.
- Had a banner year in 1999 and was honored as the AHSA Equestrian of the Year and the USOC Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year.
- Has found much of her success with Brentina, a Hannoverian mare owned by Peggy Thomas.
- Brentina came down with a sudden case of the hives at the 2002 USET Grand Prix Championships, but rebounded to claim a second title.
- Earned the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the 1998 World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Lives with husband, Bob, in Idaho where they train as well as teach young riders and horses at Sun Valley’s River Grove Farm.
- Both would eventually like to conduct clinics as a way to give back to their sport.
On September 11, 2001, Debbie not only grieved the terrorist attacks on the U.S., she grieved the loss of her mother. Exactly one year later to the day, Debbie claimed silver at the World Equestrian Games and dedicated her victory to the memory of her mom.
The gold medal will be decided Aug. 25. Two days later, McDonald turns 50.
"Being an Olympic athlete is certainly one of those things that you don't think is going to happen at this age,'' she said. "But I'm having a blast, and I'll take it any way I can get it.''
Idahostateman.com
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Born: 8/27/1954
Hometown: Orange County, Calif.
Resides: Hailey, Idaho
Sport: Equestrian
Event: Dressage
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