Romney horse headed to Olympics
Photographer: CNN
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 06/18/2012
(CNN) - Her husband, the presidential candidate, may be better known for his ties to the Olympics, but this year, Ann Romney will have some skin in the games.
Rafalca, the horse she co-owns, and trainer Jan Ebeling earned a spot on the U.S. Equestrian Team on Saturday in the sport of dressage and will advance to this summer's Olympic Games in London.
The horse placed third in the Olympic Grand Prix Special Test, held Saturday in Gladstone, New Jersey. Rafalca scored an overall 73.169%, placing behind competitors Calecto V and Legolas, and ahead of nine others.
"It's great to be part of the Olympics again," Romney tweeted. "We are so proud of Jan and Team USA. Now let's bring home the gold!"
Dressage requires a combination of "the strength and agility of gymnastics with the elegance and beauty of ballet," according to the U.S. Equestrian Federation. The sport takes place in an arena and routines are judged on "accuracy of the transitions (changes of gait), obedience, suppleness of the horse, quality of the gaits, and the rider's use of aids."
Mitt Romney's presidential campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
- CNN's Rachel Streitfeld and Gregory Wallace contributed to this report
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