Area rider makes U.S. Olympic team

Last update: July 15, 2008 - 7:08 AM

Becky Holder of Mendota Heights and her horse Courageous Comet were named Monday to the U.S. Olympic team.

Holder, 39, will participate in eventing, a three-day equestrian competition in which horse and rider compete in dressage, jumping and a cross-country ride over obstacles. Holder is a riding coach and instructor at Carriage House Farm in Hugo and was an alternate for the 2000 Olympics. Courageous Comet is a 12-year-old thoroughbred and former racehorse owned by Holder and her husband, Tom.

The Olympic equestrian events will be held in Hong Kong beginning Aug. 9.

• Three athletes with Minnesota connections -- Anna Eames, Melissa Stockwell and Justin Zook -- helped a group of U.S. Paralympic swimmers set several world and national records last week at the Can-Am Championships for swimmers with a disability.

Eames, of Golden Valley, set a world record in the women's 50-meter butterfly S10 category (31.83 seconds). Zook, of Plymouth, set U.S. records in the S10 men's 50 butterfly (28.40) and 200 backstroke (2.17.34). Stockwell, a graduate of Eden Prairie High School, set a U.S. record in the 50 butterfly S9 category (35.18). They will represent the U.S. in the Paralympics on Sept. 6-17 in Beijing.

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