Torrance Watkins
Encyclopedia
Torrance Watkins is an American event
rider who has successfully competed internationally.
during her teenage years, and graduated from the University of Denver
.
mare
Poltroon
, and the ex-racehorse Finvarra
. Her accomplishments include:
1980
and fourth at the Badminton Horse Trials
. She is a licensed course designer, having designed such courses as the CDCTA 3-Day and Intermediate Horse Trials, and the GMHA Preliminary and Intermediate Horse Trial courses. She also organized the Over the Walls Horse Trials for five years at Great Meadowbrook Farm, which was a CIC*** World Cup qualifier in 2004 and was used as a selection trial for Canadian and U.S. Equestrian Teams for the Olympic and World Equestrian Games.
Eventing
Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
rider who has successfully competed internationally.
Early years
Her family was full of horsemen, many of them foxhunters, and she began riding to the hounds at the age of four. She then lived in PeruPeru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
during her teenage years, and graduated from the University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
.
International Accomplishments
Watkins made her international debut in the 1970s, and her career spanned into the 1990s. Her two most famous horses include the pintoPinto
-General:*Conspiracy of the Pintos, a rebellion against Portuguese rule in Goa, India in 1787*Ford Pinto , a subcompact car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company for the North American market...
mare
Mare
Female horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer...
Poltroon
Poltroon
Poltroon was a successful event horse ridden by American rider Torrance Watkins.* Color: pinto* Height: 15.1 hh* Sex: mare* Rider: Torrance Watkins* Breeder: Susie Beckman* Owner: The Marra Family...
, and the ex-racehorse Finvarra
Finvarra
King Finvarra, also called Finvara, Finn Bheara, Finbeara or Fionnbharr, is the High King of the Daoine Sidhe in Irish folklore. In some legends, he is also the King of the Dead. Finvarra is a benevolent figure who ensures good harvests, strong horses, and great riches to those who will assist him...
. Her accomplishments include:
1979
- USCTA Leading Lady
1980
- USCTA Rider of the Year
- USCTA Leading Lady
- FontainebleauFontainebleauFontainebleau is a commune in the metropolitan area of Paris, France. It is located south-southeast of the centre of Paris. Fontainebleau is a sub-prefecture of the Seine-et-Marne department, and it is the seat of the arrondissement of Fontainebleau...
Olympic Games, individual bronze, making her the first woman to win a medal in the sport - Winner of the Modified Advanced division at the Rolex Kentucky Three DayRolex Kentucky Three DayThe Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event is an eventing competition held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The Rolex Kentucky is a CCI**** eventing competition, and the only four-star show in the Western Hemisphere. Four stars is the highest level of competition, the same level of...
1984
- USCTA Leading Lady
- Los Angeles Olympic Games, team gold, fourth place individually, only US rider to have a double-clear cross-country and stadium round
Other notable Accomplishments
Watkins finished second at the Burghley Horse TrialsBurghley Horse Trials
The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is an annual three day event held at Burghley House near Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, currently in early September...
and fourth at the Badminton Horse Trials
Badminton Horse Trials
The Badminton Horse Trials is a three-day event, one of only six annual Concours Complet International Four Star **** events as classified by the Fédération Équestre Internationale , which takes place in April or May each year in the park of Badminton House, the seat of the Dukes of Beaufort in...
. She is a licensed course designer, having designed such courses as the CDCTA 3-Day and Intermediate Horse Trials, and the GMHA Preliminary and Intermediate Horse Trial courses. She also organized the Over the Walls Horse Trials for five years at Great Meadowbrook Farm, which was a CIC*** World Cup qualifier in 2004 and was used as a selection trial for Canadian and U.S. Equestrian Teams for the Olympic and World Equestrian Games.