August 26, 2006

World Equestrian Games Notes from Charlene Strickland

Family and (48,000) Friends Cheer for Steffen Peters

Aachen, Germany, 26 August, 2006: Any mom would appreciate the moment: watching your child ride well in front the applause of 48,000 fans. Steffen Peters did just that for his mother, Doris Peters of Wesel, Germany, in his Grand Prix Special. And he took fourth place against the best riders in the world!

After his ride, he introduced his mother as “the best mom in the world.” His family group also included his wife Shannon, and his sister and brother-in-law, Anke and Mike Poepperling. “I was born an hour and a half north of here,” said Peters. “So a lot of friends from my high school are here.”

His horse Floriano became anxious entering the stadium. Peters noted that the final warmup arena “is extremely difficult,” being surrounded by crowds and close to the noise of the stadium. “He came in a little nervous, and I didn't expect that. Momentarily he was concerned about the crowd. We trotted around and I asked for the collected walk. He was relaxed and then he gave me a great feeling.”

U.S. rider Catherine Haddad (alternate on the WEG dressage team) made a prediction after the Special: “I'm pretty sure that Steffen has a strong chance for a medal in the Kur. It's time America gets a medal in the Kur.”

On Saturday, under the lights, Peters and Floriano did end up sixth, repeating the same placing they'd earned last year at the Aachen CHIO. On the WEG radio channel, the German dressage judge commentator noted, “Yesterday he could have won a bronze medal.”

Other comments from Saturday night's radio coverage:
“Yesterday Floriano was fresh and positive. It is very difficult to have a horse 3 days at the high level.” “Wow. What a walk—the best walk we could see during the evening. Perfect. That would be a 9.”

“Yesterday he was closer to the medals than today. Yesterday I had tears in my eyes. Today it was a good freestyle, but the spirit we saw yesterday I didn't feel today.”

“I like his way of riding very much. He is a top-class rider.”

HorsesDaily On the Scene at the World Equestrian Games 2006