E-Cards From from World Cup

Jodie Kelly, Young Rider Gold Medalist

The much anticipated World Cup Finals has come and gone. What an exciting five days it was, and what a HUGE mile stone for American dressage, not only in the show ring, but in the audience as well. To look around the stadium Saturday night and see every seat, all the way up to the nose bleed section, full, was something I had only seen before in Europe. This is truly a mile marker for us. Then, there were our riders, battling it out with the Europeans and more than holding their own. Having witnessed several previous World Cups, Olympics, WEGs, and European Championships, I really think collectively this was the best group of 12 freestyles I had ever seen, and the top three were impeccable.

To me, it is a shame that they had to be classified as 1,2 and 3 as they were all so different, and so special in their own way. Having spent a majority of my summers at Anky's since I was 11, I must admit that I am slightly prejudice and will never complain when she comes out on top! The precision she rides with and the degree of difficulty she puts into her Kurs are amazing. By having her music written for her horses, if she is so much as one hoof beat off, it throws the whole test off. Let me tell you, there was nothing throwing that test off on Saturday! As far as fun goes, Debbie won the hearts of everyone in the stadium. Her music was energetic and her ride was simply a blast to watch. I have never seen the crowd get so into a ride or a rider that looked like she enjoyed her ride as much.

Overall, the World Cup in Las Vegas was everything and more than I had hoped it would be, and what a perfect city. Where else in the world can you see the worlds best dressage and jumping, stay at a 4 star hotel, spend the day at a spa, dance on the bar at Coyote Ugly, ride a roller coaster on a roof top, and then eat breakfast at 3 o'clock in the morning?!?!?! it doesn't get much better than that!!