August 26, 2006

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

“The Virtue/Hazard of Going Last”
Special to Dressage Daily #17

Only a very few minutes ago, Helga (one of the nicest ladies behind the desk here at the Media Centre) sauntered up beside me and “slipped” me a copy of the order of go for the Grand Prix Freestyle. Thank you, Helga! You’re a real sweetie.

As you, dear reader, may have gathered from another of my obtuse article titles, someone we care about is charted to serve as the Maraschino cherry upon the dressage portion of these games. It is (a drum roll, if you please, maestro) Steffen Peters on his buddy, Floriano.

Here is the complete list and the order of go for the fifteen individuals who made it through to the kür:

• Emma Hindle on Lancet
• Edward Gal on Group 4 Securicor Lingh
• Guenter Seidel on Aragon
• Kyra Kyrklund on Max
• Christian Pläge on Regent
• Bernadette Pujals on Vincent
• Heike Kemmer on Bonaparte
• Imke Schellekens-Bartels on Sunrise
• Silvia Iklé on Salieri CH
• Jan Brink on Björsells Briar 899
• Andreas Helgstrand on Blue Hors Matine
• Isabell Werth on Satchmo
• Anky van Grunsven on Keltec Salinero
• Nadine Capellmann on Elvis VA
• Steffen Peters on Floriano

In all of the opportunities I have had to speak with Mister Peters, I have never thought far enough ahead to ask his opinion on where in any competition he prefers to ride. Some riders thoroughly enjoy going first to set a standard that the subsequent riders must seek to match. Others would rather ride late in the start list and even go last so they know to what level they must rise -- what risks they may have to take -- to receive the crown of Laurel.

By the end of this day (and at the tail end of the day, at that!) we will know Steffen’s ‘druthers. As the last rider of the fifteen he will surely know the altitude at which he and Floriano must cruise to surpass the cohort of riders. It will certainly be a time to catch one’s breath as they enter the dressage stadium tonight.