United States Eventing Association

Doug Payne and Vandiver are on the road to Tokyo! Payne and Vandiver were first named as the traveling reserve but, due to Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z sadly withdrawing from the team, the pair are now going into Tokyo as part of the three-person Olympic team.

Vandiver (Windfall II x Visions of Grandeur) is an American bred 17-year-old Trakehner gelding bred by Debi Crowley and owned by Debi Crowley, Doug Payne, and Jessica Payne. Vandiver is also the half-brother to his Olympic teammate, Tsetserleg TSF (Windfall II x Thabana), as they share the same sire.

Payne was in the warmup ring at a jumper show in Tryon, North Carolina, when he first read the news that he would be traveling to Tokyo. Coming from Doug Payne himself, read below to know more about the Olympic pair.

• When USEF first announced the U.S. Eventing Olympic team earlier this year, who was the first to tell you that you made the team?

“Via email.”

• Where were you when you heard the news that you made the team?

“In the warmup while jumping at Tryon.”

• Who will be coming with you to Tokyo?

“Courtney [Carson] and Quinn’s owners and breeders, Debi and Kevin Crowley.”

• If you were to compete in any other Olympic sport, what would it be?

“Skiing.”

• Can you share a little about what Vandiver is like around the barn? Personality type (introvert vs. extrovert)?

“He’s not terribly one of the other, he does get attached to other horses, but that has diminished over time. I think Courtney is his travel buddy. We often joke that he suffers from Trakehner moments where he is scared of the most random oddball things. All of that said, he’s got a massive heart and will give his all to try to please.”

• Vandiver’s favorite treat?

“[He] doesn’t really do treats. We’re always excited when he’s eating.”

• Vandiver’s favorite phase in eventing?

“Cross-Country.”

This will be Payne and Vandiver’s first Olympic appearance, but they have had a long road of success leading up to these Olympic Games. In 2019, the pair placed fifth at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L, they won the CCI3*-S at Stable View Oktoberfest, and finished third in the CCI3*-S at Maryland International. In 2020, the pair never finished outside of the top five - they won the Advanced division at Blue Ridge Mountain Horse Trials at TIEC, finished second in the CCI4*-S at Stable View Oktoberfest, and finished fourth in the CCI4*-L at the Tryon International Three-Day Event. This past year they won the CCI4*-S at The Fork at TIEC and finished twelfth at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L.

The USEA wishes this pair and the rest of the team the best of luck in Tokyo! Stay tuned for the two remaining team member features.