British five-star event rider swaps nationality: ‘Becoming part of a culture that celebrates big dreams feels like the right home’

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Lucienne Bellissimo, who is making a nationality change to ride for the US, and Dyri competing in the CCI4*-S at Kentucky 2024.
Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri competing in the CCI4*-S at Kentucky 2024.
(Image credit: Amy Dragoo)

Five-star event rider Lucienne Bellissimo has changed nationality to ride for the US, having represented Britain until now.

“It is such an honour to now be an American citizen. Becoming part of a culture that celebrates big dreams feels like the right home,” said the 42-year-old rider, who has been based in the US for seven years and married to Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions since June 2020.

Pippa Roome
Pippa Roome
Magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.