Liz Halliday Gets Her Shot on Team USA In Paris
If anyone understands the soul-crushing feeling of being replaced on an Olympic team just before the start of competition, it’s Liz Halliday.
The American eventer was poised to make her Olympic Games debut in Tokyo, but the 2023 USEA Lady Rider of the Year’s mount, Deniro Z injured himself. The injury was discovered at the final inspection just before the Team USA horses were to board a plane to fly them across the world. Doug Payne, the team’s traveling reserve, would step up for competition instead and become the top placing American in the Tokyo Games in three-day eventing.
Soul crushing.
Now, the 2024 Paris Games traveling reserve is doing the same. Halliday is replacing Will Coleman, whose horse Diabolo was deemed not fit to compete.
“The last 48 hours have truly been tough for our team, but particularly for Will Coleman. Off The Record looked well in training camp, but Will’s direct reserve, Diabolo, continued to impress, and was physically in such great condition, so we made the decision to place him into the team roster before moving to the venue. Diabolo trotted up 100% sound prior to shipping from training camp and arrived at the venue happy and fit. Unfortunately, shortly after settling into stabling, he showed significant signs of discomfort and the team immediately got to work to address a potential abscess in the right front foot. Team Farrier Beck Ratte, Dr. Susan Johns, Diabolo’s groom Hailey Burlock, and Will’s wife, Katie, were so diligent and tireless in treating Diabolo, and he did in fact trot up sound last night,” said Team USA Chef d’Equipe Bobby Costello.
“With that said, we felt after weighing the risk, it was not in Diabolo’s or the team’s best interest for him to move forward with the competition this week,” he continued. “We’re all truly devastated for Will and his entire team. It takes so much work to get to this moment, and it’s just such an unfortunate turn of events. We’ve got to look forward though, and with that said, we’re heading into this competition with four competitive horses and l feel very confident in this team’s ability to be successful here in Paris.”
Coleman made the switch to Diabolo, or “Dab” just days prior, officially taking his seasoned horse, Off The Record, out of Olympic contention. No reason was given why Off The Record was bumped.
“They say timing is everything,” Coleman wrote on Instagram. “With how our last two days have gone here in Paris, that simply could not be more true. It has been a difficult 48 hours for my team and all of Off The Record’s and Diabolo’s connections. I don’t have anything to say other than I wish all of Team USA the very best of luck this weekend. I will be here supporting them all the way through in what will certainly be an incredible competition at the most amazing venue I have ever seen. Go get ‘em guys.”
This is Halliday’s first Olympic Games. She’s riding Nutcracker, or “Bali,” a 2014 Irish Sport horse gelding (Tolan x Cobra) who is cared for by Abby Steger. She joins Boyd Martin and Fedarman B and Carline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. All three team horses passed the first Olympic jog inspection ahead of Friday’s dressage competition.
Sydney Elliot and QC Diamantaire, a 2010 Oldenburg gelding, will move into the traveling reserve position and join the team in France.
“I’m feeling a lot of mixed emotions right now,” Halliday wrote on Instagram. “I’ve been in Will’s shoes before and I know the pain and disappointment that comes with a last-minute change ahead of the biggest moment in your sporting career and life. I’m devastated for their team – they’ve worked so hard and deserve to be here.”
“I always knew this was the responsibility of the reserve role, and Bali and I are mentally and physically ready to step in and deliver our best for the team,” Halliday said. “We’re 100% focused and prepared to head down the centerline and represent our country on Saturday. The USA have an incredible team here in Paris – we are ready to fight hard and give it our all.”