thedressageridingspot's posterous http://thedressageridingspot.posterous.com Most recent posts at thedressageridingspot's posterous posterous.com Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:54:00 -0700 Dressage Freestyle WEG 2010 http://thedressageridingspot.posterous.com/dressage-freestyle-weg-2010 http://thedressageridingspot.posterous.com/dressage-freestyle-weg-2010

Dressage is about razor sharp precision. And it's about the kind of precision that an untrained eye could never pick up.  

Having watched this part of the competition all I can say is.... I'm officially speechless. The margin for error in all of these programs is so small, it really comes down to a matter of inches. And if you aren't looking closely, you can't even see the mistakes. What an absolutely amazing round of competition and riders together. I truly feel as though they all gave it everything they had. These equestrians truly reached deep down within themselves and their horses to ask for the most.  And the horses? Well, the horses are as devoted to the sport as their respective riders. Never, in one competition have I seen so much heart! 

A personal standing ovation for  Steffen Peters and Ravel from the USA who won bronze  and Gal and Totilas from the Netherlands who won gold in the Freestyle. What an inspiration! 

See the great article below for some highlights on the event from Brian O'Connor.

Perspectives of the World Games with Brian O'Connor - Freestyle!

What's Going On - World Equestrian Games
Written by Brian O'Connor   
Sunday, 03 October 2010 07:00
What a night....the stands were Totalis-ly packed...the fans were full of energy....and the freestyle night was just incredible! And that was just the impression about the workers up in the tower!!!!!!! NO, really,....the night was indeed incredible.....the freestyle is always the tour de force of any show, and this night truly lived up to that calling. As we progressed thru the night, the rides got better and better, the scores got higher and higher (even though it took some of the judges EONS to get them into the computer....I mean, it took a few of them (no name here) more than 4 minutes to finalize their marks....unacceptable at this type of show. We waited for at least 1/3 of the rider's scores over the normal time it takes). Moving on.... 
The rides were lovely and the different choices of music was really cool......we had classical, we had Sting singing vocals...we had a lot of Fiddler on the Roof (song and vocal) on our first ride of the night....different, but very effective for Peter Gmoser from Austria. Isabell Werth had a very powerful performance with Warum Nicht and she got the first 80.00 of the night...then we started getting closer to the top 5. Laura Bechtolsheimer and this terrific gelding Mistral Hojris continued their mastery of the arena here at the Games.....bold and energetic and great music...she just came in and owned the ring....what a week for the Brits.....she ended up 2nd and earned her 3rd silver medal, all in 1 week...The medal belonged to Totilas, but the crowd favorite was the Spaniard Juan Munoz Diaz on the PRE stallion Fuego XII...this little stallion, who turned in a lovely Grand Prix test on Monday, came in and just exploded into a terrific and very entertaining ride.....they started with a long piaffe and passage tour, and after settling, they just tore it up. The crowd went wild when he came down the centerline with a one handed series of flying changes, and then repeated it at the end...this little horse has a huge heart and shows it in his efforts to do well. He does not cover ground very far...but he is fairly correct, flashy, and does the job....Fun to watch, and Juan is very much a showman....when he finished he had a HUGE flourish taking off his hat, and doing so, spooked his horse, who leaped forward and almost dumped him at X! The audience just ate him up and when his scores were announced (by yours truly) of 81.4, the crowd booed...very loudly. One of the judges marked him considerably lower than the others and the fans did not like it...too bad, because he put in a very dramatic and fun test.

The Master and Commander, as I am now calling them came in and did not disappoint. Totilas was on form, was very strong in his performance, and Edward had him in a great position to maybe exceed his best score (London, 92.3) until a slight bobble after one of the extended trots across the ring....slight mistake, but then they turned it up and with the piaffe and passage movements being so strong, and very much used in the choreography, well, let me tell you...it was a thing of beauty. When they finished...the place erupted with a standing ovation and he got a 91.8. WEG  history....the highest score ever in championship competition. Poor Steffen got the draw position next....how can you follow Totilas....if I got that draw, well I would have to just fall over and claim being hit by lightning or something!

Steffen and Ravel are such a different pair.....the two are so different in height, presence, movement, and to see them back to back must be very hard to judge. Steffan has very difficult choreography and such wonderful music......the home crowd showed their anchor rider another standing ovation and when it was over, the score of 84.85 (I think a career high) put them on the medal podium for the second night...go USA once again. Very emotional and patriotic....first individual medals in many years and Steffen now has two....good for all his support team, and of course his steadfast and loyal owner, Akiko. Well done.

I got a great thought last night about 2 in the AM -sleep does not come easy here at WEG 2010.....and after getting it approved....I brought Edward into the ring with me and via a wireless mic, I did a quick interview (at the end of the class, before the awards) and mostly thanked him for what he has done for the Dressage sporting scene...he  has taken dressage to such new levels of greatness, and has brought his fellow Grand Prix riders along too. He has established a new higher bar for our sport, and we are so proud and excited to have been along with him and Totilas during this journey. I hope our Master and Commander can continue to take us to new highs and allow us to continue to join him (and others) on this incredible trip...climb on board,,,,,,next stop.........??

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Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:22:00 -0700 USA places in FEI Reining World Championship http://thedressageridingspot.posterous.com/usa-places-in-fei-reining-world-championship http://thedressageridingspot.posterous.com/usa-places-in-fei-reining-world-championship

Congratulations to the USA!!!! 

These riders did an absolutely phenomenal job! What an accomplishment!!! It's breathtaking to see the bond that these horses share with their riders. Great execution~ Check  out this article! 

McCutcheon and Schmersal Take Individual Gold and Silver in FEI Reining World Championship presented by John Deere

Release: September 30 2010
Author: by Jennifer Wood for USEF

rider
Tom McCutcheon and Gunners Special Nite. 
Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF.
Lexington, KY - The United States upped its medal count by two today in the FEI Reining World Championship presented by John Deere at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In the Individual Final, the U.S. took gold and silver when Tom McCutcheon on Gunners Special Nite, owned by Turnabout Ranch, and Craig Schmersal with Mister Montana Nic, owned by the Mister Montana Nic Syndicate, had the two best patterns of the day.

Tom McCutcheon of Aubrey, TX, and Gunners Special Nite, a six-year-old AQHA stallion by Colonels Smoking Gun x Mifillena, were the third of four qualified U.S. Reiners to compete. They were chasing a score of 223, set by teammate Craig Schmersal and Mister Montana Nic. They completed an electric pattern and to the screaming of the full capacity arena, they heard their winning score of 228.

McCutcheon said of his pattern, "For me, to start a pattern on that, to run in and get that first stop, it starts everything off right. He stopped really strong, and I knew he felt hooked up, so I let him drop the hammer and go. Everything that I wanted him to do, he was there. He felt like he got stronger and stronger. I was really happy with him today."

While McCutcheon is now a double gold medalist, what meant more to him than the accolades was the ability to show everyone how special Gunners Special Nite is. "I knew he was pretty special today," he said with a smile. "Today, aside from the fact that our flag was raised the highest, it was about my horse. I was glad that I could do that for that horse. He's been a superstar horse who has had a lot of second places, so I was really glad for him that he could win one because he deserves it. I really wanted to do him justice."

Schmersal, of Overbrook, OK, and Mister Montana Nic, a 12-year-old AQHA stallion by Reminic x Montana Doc, took an early lead with 223 and ended up with the silver medal. Duane Latimer of Canada and Dun Playin Tag won the bronze medal.

"I'm pretty thrilled with my horse today," Schmersal said. "He was so good out there, to go out and show as pure as he did. That's what it's about. I don't think he had a weak point. He stopped, he turned, he circled true. I asked for 110% and he delivered. He's been a part of my family for 10 years. It was special to have a horse that old come to this arena and have him come through for me like he did."

For Schmersal, the experience of the Alltech Arena was memorable. "The highlight was walking in that arena with all of those people cheering. To have that big of a crowd out there and have people behind you like that is what we do it for," he related.

As another American double medalist, Schmersal said that first and foremost was the team competition, and an individual medal was something extra. "I knew it was going to take a lot to win, and I was just hoping to make the podium," he admitted. "A silver medal is a big deal. It's pretty special to ride on both days and we feel very fortunate."

Tim McQuay of Tioga, TX, and Hollywoodstinseltown, a six-year-old AQHA stallion by Hollywood Dun It x Hollywood Jac 86 owned by David and Bonnie Silva, received a score of 222 and finished in fourth place, just a half point out of the medals. 

"I tried to be aggressive as I could without getting in trouble. His first stop was pretty good, could have been a little bit better," he said after his ride. "He was on the money for running in there and stopping cold turkey. I shut him off too hard on his first turn and he just threw his head up a little. The second turn around felt awesome. The biggest trick was getting here. Once you're here, we felt that for our team, we had enough horse and if we didn't screw up, we'd make it to the Individual Final. We made it here and then what happens, happens."

As the last reiner in the competition, Shawn Flarida of Springfield, OH, and RC Fancy Step, a six-year-old AQHA stallion by Wimpys Little Step x Doc Wilson owned by Buffalo Ranch, had a disappointing finish. Flarida's stirrup leather broke during his first sliding stop, and he had to complete the rest of his test with one stirrup. Flarida was penalized five points for touching the saddle horn with his free hand. The judges reviewed his pattern and ended up scoring him with a 207.5.

"My stirrup broke, and I got off balance," Flarida explained. "I had to go through three-quarters of the pattern on one stirrup, which is kind of hard to do. Tom was awesome today and my hat's off to him."

U.S. Reining Chef d'Equipe Jeff Petska remarked, "It was an equipment malfunction, and unfortunately that's part of showing. It's just one of those things that happens. It's hard enough to ride with two stirrups, let alone one, and Shawn did a good job and completed the pattern, so that's a big credit to him."

Flarida added, "It was fun to be here. It's great to have the WEG here and have a gold medal. I'd love for it to come back to the States some day."

Petska said at the press conference, "Without sponsor support, we wouldn't be able to do things on this kind of stage. We really appreciate everything they do for us."

McCutcheon summed up the week, "It's been amazing. This has been a lot of fun with the crowd support and everything. I was in Spain in 2002 and that was our first one so it was special, but this WEG was even more electric than that. What it means for me here is to compete for the USA."

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Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:31:00 -0700 USA Takes Bronze Medal in the Grand Prix Special Event http://thedressageridingspot.posterous.com/usa-takes-bronze-medal-in-the-grand-prix-spec http://thedressageridingspot.posterous.com/usa-takes-bronze-medal-in-the-grand-prix-spec

On October 29, 1941, U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited Harrow School to speak to the students. He stood before them and said,

-"Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up."

This just goes to show, that every ounce of hard work you pour into a goal, never goes unnoticed! For anyone who has ever had a dream, here is living proof that you can still own it!!! A very warm congratulations to Steffen Peters and Ravel!!!! Outstanding Job! What an inspiration! 

 Check this article out!

http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsDisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=6227

 


 

Check out more here: My Dressage Riding Spot

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Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:15:00 -0700 The Horse America Bred: The Amazing American Saddlebred http://thedressageridingspot.posterous.com/the-horse-america-bred-the-amazing-american-s http://thedressageridingspot.posterous.com/the-horse-america-bred-the-amazing-american-s

Watch this amazing video of the opening ceremonies of the World Equestrian Games 2010 in Lexington, KY where the breed was showcased. It is absolutely breathtaking! They certainly love to show their riders off! They are true showmen, they will bring any crowd to their feet in excitement. 

 

Check out more articles at: My Dressage Riding Spot

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Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:56:00 -0700 Dressage Team USA WEG 2010 http://thedressageridingspot.posterous.com/dressage-team-usa-weg-2010 http://thedressageridingspot.posterous.com/dressage-team-usa-weg-2010

Check out this article! 

 

U.S. Dressage Team Looks Fit and Sound, Ready to Take on the World in Kentucky

SteffenPeters-Ravel
Steffen Peters and Ravel. (Photo by Sara Lieser)
Lexington, KY - All four of the U.S. Team dressage horses were presented during the official Veterinary Inspection (or jog) at the2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on Sunday. The U.S. Team is but one of the 24 countries with dressage athletes competing at the Games. A total of 11 four-member teams will be in the battle for a Team medal. There are a total of 66 dressage competitors with the hopes of earning an Individual medal. 

With the jog complete, the four horse-and-rider combinations that will compete for a Team medal for the U.S. are:

(Name / Age / Hometown / Horse / Age / Sex / Breed / Owner)
* Tina Konyot / 48 / Palm City, FL / Calecto V / 12 / Stallion / Danish Warmblood / Tina Konyot and John Byrialsen
* Todd Flettrich / 40 / Royal Palm Beach, FL / Otto / 14 / Gelding / Danish Warmblood / Cherry Knoll Farm
* Katherine Bateson-Chandler / 35 / Wellington, FL / Nartan / 15 / Gelding / KWPN / Jane Forbes Clark
* Steffen Peters / 45 / San Diego, CA / Ravel / 12 / Gelding / KWPN / Four Winds Farm

"The team looks really good," said Eva Salomon, USEF Dressage Team Chef d'Equipe. "The horses all look good, and we are really excited and ready to have a chance to compete."

Dressage competition begins on Monday, September 27, in the Kentucky Horse Park's Main Stadium at 8:30 a.m. The schedule for the various competitions is as follows:

Monday, September 27 - Team Grand Prix - 1st Half of Part 1 - 8:30 a.m.; 1st Half of Part 2 - 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 28 - Team Grand Prix - 2nd Half of Part 1 - 8:30 a.m.; 2nd Half of Part 2 - 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 29 - Grand Prix Special - 1st Half - 10:00 a.m.; 2nd Half - 2:30 p.m.
Friday, October 1 - Grand Prix Freestyle - 7:00 p.m.

WEG-USEF-TVFollow more than 65 hours of free, live coverage from the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games at USEFNetwork.com, along with video-on-demand, competition highlights, photos, blogs, the latest news and updates.

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/770609/Harmony_in_motion_Tamara_Horak1280x1024.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4ScTrzydzpct Scottie Ash thedressageridingspot Scottie Ash