Derosa Daily
On The Scene at the FEI Las Vegas World Cup for Dressage and Showjumping

Dressage and Show Jumping Together At Last

By Diana De Rosa

It seems like with an average of two classes a day that things would be rather relaxed for us here in Vegas land. Yet there never seems to be a minute to spare. When the class starts we are off with our photographic equipment and pens to capture the action both on our pads and in our cameras. Then when it ends there’s barely enough time to download the photos and write down the beginnings of an article before the second class throws us back into the pit again (the photographer’s pit that is). After the class there are presentations and press conferences and we do some wandering to see if we can find any of the riders around willing to talk to us for just a few minutes. Before we know it, the end of the day has arrived and we’re still writing and picking photos. And so here I am putting some final words into an article I’ve been writing throughout the day while at the same time selecting photos to bring life to my report.

The World Cup for Dressage and Show Jumping is being combined with other events and since there are only two dressage tests, today featured a National competition for five of our dressage riders who did not qualify to be in the World Cup. And since 6 of the 18 original competitors in the World Cup Dressage Grand Prix don’t make it to the freestyle, those six riders also competed in a separate final competition just for them. Friday, April 22, also showcased the second round for the World Cup for show jumping.

Steffen Peters was the winner in the National competition on Floriano, a horse he clearly loves. I caught up with Peters out by the schooling arena and decided to ask him some questions about how things were going and about his horse. First of all we talked about the arena, which he said was “tight but so far the horses have dealt with it very nicely and surprisingly all our horses are doing well.”

He also spoke about McDonald’s ride in the Grand Prix, saying it was “awesome. It was really one of her best goes and I’m glad the judges rewarded them.”

Later McDonald agreed with this comment saying, “When I came in the ring I could already feel that the mare was responsive to the crowd. She thrives on that energy. This was the first time I was able to keep her energy until the end of the ride.”

Peters, who was the alternate for the Athens Olympic Games, then talked about Floriano, who he refers to as a “real good trooper.” His 15-year-old Westfalen, chestnut gelding ended up winning the National competition after a performance that produced a score that was even higher than some of those competing in the World Cup. His 74.292 was a pleasant outcome for the horse that he is glad is still “healthy and sound. He is one of those extremely supple horses. He does not have one stiff bone in his body.”

I also chatted with Guenter Seidel, who was not competing on Friday but we talked about his Grand Prix performance on Aragon. Guenter was pleased explaining that indoors “is not Aragon’s forte.” Although Aragon had missed a one-tempi Guenter was still happy with their ride and when asked why he had that bobble he said that there are always lots of flashes going off in the stands and he thinks that might have been part of the problem. Guenter was pleased with the overall frame of his horse and his “incredible piaffes.”

Guenter also praised the facilities saying that everything is good and “the stalls are great and it seems very well organized.”

It’s always great to speak to the riders in person as it gives you a chance to “pick their brain.” But the press conferences also offer an opportunity to ask questions and find out information you weren’t aware of. At one press conference, I picked up some interesting comments relating to the fact that they played music with the grand prix rides and the audience seemed to appreciate this. However, one of the judges, Marietta Whitages was concerned that the music went better with some horses than with others and since the music had nothing to do with the Grand Prix test it was important that the judges not allow this to factor into their points. “It’s very important for the sport that we have the Grand Prix as the Classical test … and everyone rides the same test,” explained Whitages.