By Nancy Degutis

Michael Shondel passed up a chance to ride in the Intermediaire I championship at the June 16-18 Festival of Champions in order to complete his obligations to the U.S. Marine Corps.

“Being in the Corps has always been my goal in life,” said Shondel, 21. “The Intermediaire I is a stepping stone in riding dressage. I was so excited to make it last year and wasn’t expecting to have Wallaby this year because he was up for sale.”

Shondel and the 18-hand gelding were fourth overall in the I1 last year and had been fourth on the list of eligible riders for this year’s finals at USETF headquarters in Gladstone, N.J. He had asked and been given permission last year by Corps officials to put off his second session in the Marines’ Officers Candidates School in order to ride in the championships.

Under Marine rules, officer candidates must complete their traing in two sessions. The Kinnelon, N.J. had already fulfilled the first part of his obligation to the Corps, completing his initial training after his freshman year at the college. Under military rules, candidates must finish the second part before their senior year in college. Shondel is scheduled to graduate in 2006.

Shondel has been trying to convince his superiors in the service “to let me ride as a Marine and take Marines (uniform in competition) to the Olympics” in 2008. So far, Shondel has not heard if they will allow that.

Back to the Index