August 23, 2006

World Equestrian Games Journals from Aachen
Mack's Musings
By Father Mack (a.k.a.: Father Larry David McCormick)
Photos by Ruth S. McCormick

“Our (Wonderful) American Melting Pot” Steffan Peters Raises the Bar
Special to Dressage Daily #8

For very many of us the phrase “American Melting Pot” has become almost second nature. We take for granted our multicultural society and the many, many nations that have contributed to our nation’s greatness and its variety.

The late morning ride of America’s (really the United States’, but you know what I mean . . . please forgive me Canadian brothers and sisters) own, Steffen Peters, and his colleague, Floriano (a native of Westphalia, but now enjoying the sunny climate of the west coast USA) is further evidence of the greatness and variety mentioned above.

Follow closely as I try to think this through. Were it not for the wealth of brilliant horses and riders in Herr Peters’ homeland, we must ask, would we be blessed with his and Floriano’s company in our country? Build upon that foundational question with the bricks and mortar of the generosity of Floriano’s U.S. owners, the further largesse of all who support the USET and the USDF, and the good will of the men, women, and children who turn out for horse shows far smaller than that which I am honored to attend.

The building which results from all of their and our good will is crowned (it is the roof, in the analogy of the previous paragraph) by the performances of all the U.S. athletes here in Aachen. With Debbie McDonald’s ride still ahead, those of us who have an ecclesiastical bent may hope that there will be a spire rising above the heights already attained. Leading, ultimately, to a position for the entire U.S. team (melted and melded together, regardless of their nation of origin or their present residence in the United States) on the medal stand when the competition ends.

Oops! Once again I nearly forgot the vital statistics. Steffen and Floriano hold third position just before the lunch break on this Wednesday with a combined score of 72.708. Pretty thin air at that altitude, I should expect.