With the indoor arena of Jumping Amsterdam as a backdrop, Elise felt honored to be invited for this World Cup Qualifying show, which took place at the RAI Center in the Netherlands from 2nd to 5th December 1999. "You are more a performer in Europe, probably because there is a real sense of the rider as an athlete."

This creates a different approach in strategy, because competitors feel more of an obligation to fulfill expectations. "You are invited by the organization and you need to reciprocate." Haas explained "If I am entered in a speed class for example in America, where I have paid my entry and stabling fees, and on that day I would rather choose to use the class to school one of my younger horses, that is what I might do." When being invited by a European show where there is more emphasis on performance the goal would be different. "I would definitely ride to win, and here my younger horse may not get as many opportunities to compete at shows of the caliber of Amsterdam."