Inspiration

J4AJW Ambassadors

THE SHOW JUMPING TEAM
	RAYMOND TEXEL   Birthdate: August 27, 1973 Hometown: Bedford, New York	USA Beverly Hills, CA

Why Jump for a Just World?
“The ‘Jump For a Just World’ initiative is an excellent way for riders and individuals at all levels to ride for a cause that is separate from their own, and to know that while it may have not gone our way in the ring, representing an organization such as this provides a sense of accomplishment,” said Ray Texel, the founding Just World Rider Ambassador."

BIOGRAPHY

Ray Texel’s road to greatness started at a young age. He began riding at the age of eight at a small local barn in Wayside, New Jersey, and he began showing at the age nine. At the age of 14, Ray won the 1987 AHSA Pony Equitation Finals and, in 1989, became one of a select few to win the nation’s two most prestigious equitation national championships, the AHSA Medal Final and the ASPCA Maclay Finals. He was also one of the youngest riders, second only to the legendary George Morris, to ever win both national junior championships. As a result of his success, he was named the AHSA’s Junior Equestrian of the Year for 1990.

In 2000, Ray placed second at the $150,000 Budweiser American Invitational in Tampa, FL, and in the $100,000 Rolex/U.S. Show Jumping Championship, qualifying him as one of 21 finalists for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials held in California.

In 2001, Ray qualified for his first World Cup Final held in Gothenburg, Sweden, where he placed second in the opening leg, the speed round, riding Fleur. Continuing his success in 2001, Ray enjoyed four Grand Prix wins including an impressive victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the famed Spruce Meadows venue in Calgary, Canada. He began the 2002 season with a win in the $50,000 Cosequin Grand Prix on the HITS Desert Circuit in Indio, California.

Moving back to the east coast in 2002, Ray started the 2004 season with a win in the $50,000 Ox Ridge Charity Grand Prix held in Darien, CT, riding the Hessen mare, Roxana 112.

A sought-after coach and trainer, Ray offers his intricate knowledge of the sport in various volunteer capacities, and most recently acted as Chair of the Selection Committee for the 2004 Olympic Show Jumping Team.

Ray and his wife, Elizabeth, currently make their home in Venice, California, and recently welcomed their first child, a boy, into the world.

 

HORSES

Love Z 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by L'Amour Z
Owner: Janice Aron

PHOTOS

Click on a thumnail below for a larger view of each photo.
All photographs are property of JustWorld International and cannot be reproduced without permission.

 

COMPETITION BACKGROUND

2008
10th $6,000 1.40m Spy Coast Farm Speed, CSI2* WEF X, FL Ostara
6th $8,000 1.45m, CSI3* Winter Equestrian Festival V, Wellington, FL Ostara

2007
6th $100,000 CN Grand Prix, CSI5* Spruce Meadows Continental, AB Love Z

2004
1st $50,000 Ox Ridge Charity Grand Prix, Darien, CT Roxana 112
8th $75,000 Grand Prix, Tampa Bay Classic, Tampa, FL Roxana 112
6th (tie) $75,000 CN Florida Open, CN Wellington Open, FL Roxana 112
8th $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup, CN Wellington Open, FL Roxana 112

2002
2nd $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix, Indio, CA Lexicon
1st $50,000 Cosequin Grand Prix, Indio, CA Fleur
3rd $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix, Indio, CA Fleur

2001
1st Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Spruce Meadows North American, Calgary, AB Fleur
World Cup Final, Goteborg, Sweden Fleur
2nd World Cup Final – Leg 1, Goteborg, Sweden Fleur
1st $50,000 Rio Vista Grand Prix, Indio, CA Fleur
1st $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, Indio, CA Fleur

2000
1st Nations’ Cup, CSIO Royal Winter Fair, Toronto, ON
2nd $100,000 Rolex/U.S. Show Jumping Championship, Gladstone, NJ Pershing
2nd $150,000 Budweiser American Invitational, Tampa, FL Pershing

1989
1st AHSA Medal Finals
1st ASPCA Maclay Final