The U.S. Equestrian Federation has announced that two horse-and-rider combinations have been awarded Land Rover competition grants to compete at the Saumur CCI*** in Saumur, France, May 22-25.

The following combinations will receive Land Rover competition grants (in alphabetical order):

Elisabeth Halliday (East Sussex, United Kingdom) and Deborah Halliday’s HHS Cooley.
 HHS Cooley is a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.

Originally from San Diego, Calif., Halliday is based in the United Kingdom where she has pursued her passion for eventing and international motor racing. She enjoyed a successful 2013 campaign that saw her make her U.S. team debut in Nations Cup competition at the Boekelo CCIO*** (the Netherlands) riding Fernhill By Night. She also earned a third-placed finish in the Galway Downs CCI*** (Calif.) with HHS Cooley.

She has started her 2014 season competing in Portugal, earning first- and third-placed finishes in the CIC** at Barroca d’Alva with Fernhill By Night and HHS Cooley, respectively.

Doug Payne (Aiken, S.C.) and Larry and Amelia Ross’ and his own Crown Talisman. 
Crown Talisman is an 11-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred gelding.

Payne is active in all aspects of eventing, including as a competitor, trainer and official as well as competing in the dressage and show jumping disciplines. In 2010, he made his Nations Cup debut for the United States at the Boekelo CCIO*** and contested his first CCI**** at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Payne and Crown Talisman completed their 2013 season with a fourth-placed finish at The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International CCI***. The pair has kept up their strong form in 2014, earning fourth in the CIC*** at the Carolina International (N.C.).