Goldstein Coaches Israel to Gold, Silver and Bronze at 2013 Maccabiah Games

Goldstein Coaches Israel to Gold, Silver and Bronze

Goldstein Coaches Israel to Gold, Silver and Bronze at 2013 Maccabiah Games

Wellington, FL (August 12, 2013) – It proved a ‘golden’ decision for the Israeli Equestrian Federation to invite Danielle Goldstein of Starwyn Farms, LLC in Wellington, FL to serve as chef d’equipe for its show jumping squad at the 19th Maccabiah Games, July 17-30, in Israel. The Maccabiah, commonly referred to as the “Jewish Olympics,” have celebrated athletic achievement in Jewish athletes since 1932, but 2013 – which hosted more than 30 international delegations — marked the first time in history that Equestrian was added to its competitive program.

Goldstein Coaches Israel to Gold, Silver and Bronze
The Israeli show jumping team at the 2013 Maccabiah Games. (Photo courtesy of Danielle Goldstein)

Coached by Goldstein, herself a seasoned international show jumping rider, the Israeli squad won Team Gold, and riders Asaf Sturman and Noam Dayan clinched Individual Silver and Bronze medals, respectively. “Being chef d’equipe was great. It was the first time I have been appointed chef, so I was thrilled with the opportunity and subsequently, with the results. Everyone’s rides were really good,” said Goldstein.

“Overall, the Israeli Equestrian Federation did a wonderful job and the turnout was everything we could have hoped for. We are all looking forward to many more successful international shows in Israel and successful international performances by the Israeli team.”

The medals earned by its inaugural Equestrian team contributed to Israel finishing at the top of the overall (498) medal count, including 175 Gold medals. Second in the overall count (170) was the U.S., including 56 Gold medals.

In Equestrian team competition, Israel won Gold, the U.S. squad earned Silver, and Bronze went to Mexico.

Among individual Maccabiah scores, the show jumping Gold medal went to Rebecca Wissbard for the U.S., while Israel’s Sturman earned Silver and Dayan the Bronze.

“This is the first step towards accomplishing Team Israel,” said Goldstein. “It has helped establish a precedent that we have a team and are capable of results. We are on the brink of some really great things.”

Goldstein hopes to leverage her dual citizenship with Israel and the U.S. into riding for the nation of her spiritual heritage as its first female Olympic show jumper at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Her efforts to raise visibility for Israel’s equestrians and build an Israeli Nations Cup have resulted in the launch of an awareness campaign, ‘Team Israel,’ including inspirational, show jumping-themed T-shirts by clothing designers and social activists, NU Campaign. Proceeds from the sale of the shirts, which illustrate the untapped vitality of the Israeli equestrian athlete, will benefit the Israeli Equestrian Federation.

For the first chef d’equipe for Israel’s first Maccabiah equestrian team, this is truly just the beginning. Through ‘Team Israel’, Goldstein intends to plant the seeds for a robust equestrian culture in Israel, and envisions building an equestrian center to train riders and establish a framework for increased equestrian education there.

Goldstein knows a golden opportunity: Back in Florida, where she oversees operations at her Starwyn Farms, she has developed an International Equestrian Education series (IEE) for young riders, adult amateurs and enthusiasts seeking to increase their skills by learning from top professionals and offering scholarships to encourage enrollment.

For more information about ‘Team Israel,’ IEE at Starwyn Farms, or Danielle Goldstein, please call 917-544-3349 or email dani.goldstein@gmail.com.

Photo: The Israeli show jumping team at the 2013 Maccabiah Games. (Photo courtesy of Danielle Goldstein)

Contact: Danielle Goldstein    Starwyn Farms, LLC   Dani.goldstein@gmail.com     (917) 544-3349

 

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