After the Show - FEI Las Vegas World Cup Final 2005

E-Cards From Behind the Scenes

Anne Gribbons - FEI World Cup Appeals Committee, I Judge, Rider/Trainer - This World Cup turned out to be an event that will prove revolutionary for dressage in this country. Slowly, but surely, our sport has grown from nothing thirty years ago to what we have today. I just happened to arrive in this country when the word "dressage" drew a complete blank, even among horse people, and there was ONE dressage show in the entire country listed that was recognized by the AHSA, the Meadow Mouse in New Jersey.

From there to now, in a comparatively short time, we have arrived and kept our position as a dressage nation to reckon with, and I do believe that the Las Vegas World Cup has turned the spotlight on dressage and will put it on the map among other sports like it has never been before.

The standard of the competitors and the horses performing was the best ever, including the Olympics. The very cream of the crop of international dressage riders were there, and for every ride the bar was raised. The audience was knowledgeable and incredibly enthusiastic, far more so than the at the Jumping finals. The foreign riders enjoyed the venue and seemed to be very pleased with the organization of the show. And in June we get to see it all on television.

A new, fresh tailwind will blow in dressage, so hold on to your top hats, and enjoy the ride!