2012/11/06 RWEG 2012 Day One
Feb 13, 2013 8:57:42 GMT -6
Post by SRA Admin on Feb 13, 2013 8:57:42 GMT -6
Show Name: RWEG 2012
Show Date: 11/06-08/12
Show Host: Merry
Association/Season: none
Day One of the 2012 RWEG peaked with misty grounds and foggy skies, clouds on the horizon threatening more rain later on for sure. Everyone was given their chance to warm up before competitors were called in one by one to the Dressage ring to dance their way into the hearts of the judges. The first hour went smoothly, but as nerves in the competitors whose turns were slotted further back increased, so did the tension - culminating in a spectacular shocking display of rebellion from Attraktion, owned by Janena, whom lashed out in a small but obvious bucking fit mid-tempi changes. Whisper and Halcyon Days were reportedly within a tenth of a point of each other, though it is of popular opinion that the Hanoverian mare’s precise canter pirouette was what gave her the extra boost needed to secure a first place. The judges also remarked that it was interesting to see an entirely different pool of qualifiers than last year.
-Grand Prix Dressage (10 entries)
1. Whisper owned by Jill from KR
2. Halcyon Days owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
3. D'Angeline Mephistopheles owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
4. Zodiac Namaste owned by Bam from BP
5. Mambo No 9 owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
6. Cue the Sun! owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
7. The Macabre owned by Jill from KR
8. Belen Aristeaux owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
9. Vermeers Muse owned by Jill from KR
10. Attraktion owned by Janena from LE
As the morning progressed, the fog and mist cleared but it began to lightly drizzle. The footing in Terra Nova’s pristine outdoor arenas remained firm enough to continue the showing outdoors, however, and thus the Hunter judges took their seats as the horses premiered. It was noted that there was a single repeat from last year’s RWEG, My Diva owned by Merry herself, who placed second in the 2011 Day One judging and earned a Bronze in the final round. None of the horses exhibited any major faults, and the judges commented that the decision between a ribbon for Validia Noir and a placing just outside of them for Tres Bonne Holiday was almost impossible to make.
-Regular Working Hunters (10 entries)
1. My Diva owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
2. Paranormal Entity owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
3. Dealt With It owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
4. Deux De Coeurs owned by Jill from KR
5. Kaegan owned by Ashley Nicole from ASI
6. Validia Noir owned by Ashley Nicole from ASI
7. Tres Bonne Holiday owned by Jill from KR
8. Lonely Hearts Hunting owned by Jill from KR
9. Speakeasy owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
10. All My Heart owned by Jill from KR
Spectators, competitors, trainers, and owners alike watched the skies nervously as dark grey clouds loomed. Sarah from Indiana - a state known as one of the ‘tornado valley’ locations - commented that they looked unnervingly like funnel clouds. Despite those of us with two legs fretting, the horses seemed oddly unconcerned and this resulted in the decision to proceed with the day’s events. The judges were notably excited to have a RWEG horse among the competitors, however it ended in bitter disappointment as Eleven seemed to be completely preoccupied with something else, causing him to knock several rails as he jumped the course. It was yet again noted that none of last year’s competitors returned for the 2012 exhibit, though there were many wishes for Contagious Chemistry to make an encore appearance in 2013 as the relatively young mare showed up much older competition in a round one judge remarked as “as close to perfection as I’ve seen in many years”.
-Regular Pony Hunters (10 entries)
1. Contagious Chemistry owned by Ashley Nicole from ASI
2. Daily Dreamer owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
3. Chicanery owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
4. PSH Frosted Pleasure owned by Jill from KR
5. Earth Shaker owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
6. Silver Frost owned by Ashley Nicole from ASI
7. Excuse My Sparkle owned by Sarah from FF
8. Nova Marzipan owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
9. Boscage owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
10. Eleven (REAA) owned by Jill from KR
The clouds became less threatening as the day progressed, resulting in sighs of relief from everyone involved as the Show Jumpers were prepared for their go. The atmosphere in the judge’s booth was all excitement as Pagan Rites (whom had earlier managed to break his halter and nearly trampled a groom), last year’s Gold Medalist, entered the ring. He stunned everyone with a faultless performance, and as Miu Miu fell behind with both time and jumping penalties it became apparent who the clear winner of the day was. PSH Couplet’s rider unfortunately hit the ground after a particularly bad spot at a liverpool, causing the stallion to stumble out of the water and his rider to lose their seat.
-Grand Prix Show Jumping (10 entries)
1. Pagan Rites owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
2. Miu Miu owned by Jill from KR
3. Zeitgeist owned by Jill from KR
4. Real Suspicious owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
5. Grandiose Delusions owned by Janena from LE
6. Releve owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
7. PSH Haiku owned by Bam from BP
8. Khemistry owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
9. Black On White owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
10. PSH Couplet owned by Bam from BP
In a drastic change from how the weather was looking in the starting Dressage phase and earlier event of Grand Prix Show Jumping, a torrential downpour began as the cross-country phase of the four-star Eventing began. Thankfully the grounds were well managed so that the course did not get too muddy, however it was still particularly hard to see the upcoming jumps, resulting in a few (thankfully non-serious) falls of both rider and horse. The horses that did manage to stay on their hooves and pick their way through the course all suffered time faults, and it was decided early on by the judges to extend the time limit for all competitors. The horses and riders all exhibited extreme bravery in the face of horrible weather, and it was a rather small Thoroughbred gelding, gone relatively unnoticed by the crowd, who triumphed in the end.
-CCI**** Eventing (10 entries)
1. Bear Necessity owned by Bam from BP
2. Aryastark owned by Jill from KR
3. Zodiac Calhoun owned by Jill from KR
4. Tiebout owned by Jill from KR
5. Epiphany In Paris owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
6. Proper Intuition owned by Bam from BP
7. Seaside Rendezvous owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
8. Talk Happy owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
9. Kilkenny owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
10. Symphony Houdini owned by Bam from BP
The driving course was moved indoors by unanimous agreement as the rain continued to pour, though it did little to dampen the spirits of the competitors. Shining last year in their first debut as RWEG contenders, the driving horse turnout was much smaller this time around, but nevertheless excitement shimmered through the air as last year’s Gold Medalist, Ghost Writer, took to the ring. However, he was outshone by all but one other horse. The flashy movement and precision exhibited by every team impressed the judges, who remarked that “for a relatively new discipline, the drivers sure are bringing their A game”. There was an impressive representation of breeds, ranging from Friesians, to a Morgan, to a Gypsy Vanner, an Arabian, and a lone Paint gelding.
-Senior Pleasure Driving (6 entries)
1. Signature Ballad owned by Sarah from FF
2. Vision Revolt owned by Sarah from FF
3. Catch The Moon owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
4. Major Fantacy owned by Sarah from FF
5. Ghost Writer owned by Kara from LP
6. Eternal Master owned by Sarah from FF
The judges were excited as a total of six of last year’s competitors made an appearance, including the Gold and Silver medalists. Stepping up to the plate and exceeding both his performances of the year prior was Zipped Dynamically, proving the effort and training that had gone into every day he’d worked the past year. The mare who had narrowly missed both a first place win in Day One of the 2011 games and the Gold Medal in the final day, Another Lucky Miss, managed to secure herself a spot in the finals - though just barely. With so many familiar faces already at ease with a RWEG setting, the newcomers were put to the test - and they proved their point with Be Mine, a mare making her debut in the World Games who placed second in the first day.
-Senior Western Pleasure (10 entries)
1. Zipped Dynamically owned by Sarah from FF
2. Be Mine owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
3. Serengetti owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
4. Chutin' Scotch owned by Sarah from FF
5. Another Lucky Miss owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
6. Face Value owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
7. Mighty Rugged owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
8. Zipped Down South owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
9. Desperately owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
10. Heart Of The Matter owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
As the rain began to ease up, the Reiners took their turn. Three of last year’s competitors, including last year’s Silver medalist, made an encore performance while several fresh faces made their debut. Oklahoma Autumn won over the judges with her precise spins and Nuthin’ But Charm was a close second with breathtaking stops - though it was the general consensus that all of the competitors were worthy of their place in the first day.
-Senior Reining (9 entries)
1. Oklahoma Autumn owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
2. Nuthin' But Charm owned by Sarah from FF
3. Pocos Stylish Tivio owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
4. Cats On Mars owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
5. A Smokin Gun owned by Sarah from FF
6. Seeing Blue owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
7. Painted Skip owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
8. No Time To Zip owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
9. Chute For Hollywood owned by Sarah from FF
There was an excited buzz among the judges and owners as a son of last year’s Gold Medalist, Red Hot Moon, made his appearance and was generally considered a fan favorite. There were no hard feelings, however, upon the apparent triumph of several other horses as they raced through the barrels in a long-familiar pattern. There was quite a shock as each competitor edged out the one before it by milliseconds, making a first for the Games that the order of horses performing was an exact reverse of the placing of each horse.
-Senior Barrel Racing (10 entries)
1. Dream So Lonesome owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
2. Make It Look Easy owned by Sarah from FF
3. Frogger Zee Dash owned by Sarah from FF
4. Aamerican Taboo owned by Sarah from FF
5. Dash With Honor owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
6. Shoot Shes So Hot owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
7. Fly Ta Da Moon owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
8. Red Hot South owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
9. Rock Steady owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
10. Jet By Night owned by Sarah from FF
Two horses made a reappearance in the second running of Endurance in the RWEGs, with a surprising turnout where the Akhal Tekes outnumbered the Arabians in a 3/2 fashion. As if determined to prove themselves the true champions of the distance race as is so often agreed by endurance enthusiasts, an Arabian mare took the first place position for the day, closely followed in an almost dead heat fashion by an Akhal Teke stallion who was a familiar face from the previous year, who dominated the first day of the 2011 Games and then drastically fell behind in the Finals.
-Endurance (10 entries)
1. Maarajan owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
2. Scimitar owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
3. Daja owned by Jana from GM @ FF
4. Burn The World owned by Jana from GM @ FF
5. Ibelin owned by RaeAnn from VH
6. Samarkand owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
7. Taymas owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
8. Burning Seyville owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
9. St Petersburg owned by Jana from GM @ FF
10. Badr owned by Bam from BP
A proud moment for the three-gaited Saddleseat competitors, owners, and trainers everywhere as the sport made its debut in the World Equestrian Games, proving the flashy exhibit of talent and class was more than just a spectator’s sport. Arabians and Saddlebreds dominated the day with only one Morgan to provide a bit of variety, though all competitors displayed their talents exceptionally. Despite the sport being known for its flashy horses with their oftentimes loud coloring and extravagant movement, many of the competitors were surprisingly calm, consider most had likely never been to a RWEG in their lives. Indeed, the judges remarked that, to their surprise, the ‘fancy’ horses were among the most well-behaved in the groups.
-Three-Gaited Saddleseat (10 entries)
1. Thee Chocolate Decadence owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
2. All Systems Go owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
3. SC Deceived owned by Jill from KR
4. Abia Adiva owned by Janena from LE
5. Infinite Rhythm owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
6. SC Picasso owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
7. Amir Ibn Gazal owned by Sarah from FF
8. Walking On Water owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
9. Just Wicked owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
10. Kept Woman owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
As equally proud to be debuting in the Riata World Equestrian Games as their closely-related competitors, the Three-Gaited Saddleseat horses, the Five-Gaited Saddleseat show horses soon proved they were almost exactly opposite their cousins in temperament. Despite the relative similarity between competition types, the pure-Saddlebred filled ranks of the Five-Gaiters were exceptionally more high-strung and excited than most of the other competition groups, including the notoriously high-strung Show Jumpers and Barrel Racers. Despite that, the horses and their riders, owners, and trainers pulled it together nicely for an extravagant show in the afternoon.
-Five-Gaited Saddleseat (6 entries)
1. SC Have A Little Faith owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
2. Ticket To Ride owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
3. Turn On The Heat owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
4. Steel Drums owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
5. SC Watercolor Lies owned by Jill from KR
6. Shamrock N' Roll owned by Jill from KR
Show Date: 11/06-08/12
Show Host: Merry
Association/Season: none
Day One of the 2012 RWEG peaked with misty grounds and foggy skies, clouds on the horizon threatening more rain later on for sure. Everyone was given their chance to warm up before competitors were called in one by one to the Dressage ring to dance their way into the hearts of the judges. The first hour went smoothly, but as nerves in the competitors whose turns were slotted further back increased, so did the tension - culminating in a spectacular shocking display of rebellion from Attraktion, owned by Janena, whom lashed out in a small but obvious bucking fit mid-tempi changes. Whisper and Halcyon Days were reportedly within a tenth of a point of each other, though it is of popular opinion that the Hanoverian mare’s precise canter pirouette was what gave her the extra boost needed to secure a first place. The judges also remarked that it was interesting to see an entirely different pool of qualifiers than last year.
-Grand Prix Dressage (10 entries)
1. Whisper owned by Jill from KR
2. Halcyon Days owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
3. D'Angeline Mephistopheles owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
4. Zodiac Namaste owned by Bam from BP
5. Mambo No 9 owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
6. Cue the Sun! owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
7. The Macabre owned by Jill from KR
8. Belen Aristeaux owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
9. Vermeers Muse owned by Jill from KR
10. Attraktion owned by Janena from LE
As the morning progressed, the fog and mist cleared but it began to lightly drizzle. The footing in Terra Nova’s pristine outdoor arenas remained firm enough to continue the showing outdoors, however, and thus the Hunter judges took their seats as the horses premiered. It was noted that there was a single repeat from last year’s RWEG, My Diva owned by Merry herself, who placed second in the 2011 Day One judging and earned a Bronze in the final round. None of the horses exhibited any major faults, and the judges commented that the decision between a ribbon for Validia Noir and a placing just outside of them for Tres Bonne Holiday was almost impossible to make.
-Regular Working Hunters (10 entries)
1. My Diva owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
2. Paranormal Entity owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
3. Dealt With It owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
4. Deux De Coeurs owned by Jill from KR
5. Kaegan owned by Ashley Nicole from ASI
6. Validia Noir owned by Ashley Nicole from ASI
7. Tres Bonne Holiday owned by Jill from KR
8. Lonely Hearts Hunting owned by Jill from KR
9. Speakeasy owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
10. All My Heart owned by Jill from KR
Spectators, competitors, trainers, and owners alike watched the skies nervously as dark grey clouds loomed. Sarah from Indiana - a state known as one of the ‘tornado valley’ locations - commented that they looked unnervingly like funnel clouds. Despite those of us with two legs fretting, the horses seemed oddly unconcerned and this resulted in the decision to proceed with the day’s events. The judges were notably excited to have a RWEG horse among the competitors, however it ended in bitter disappointment as Eleven seemed to be completely preoccupied with something else, causing him to knock several rails as he jumped the course. It was yet again noted that none of last year’s competitors returned for the 2012 exhibit, though there were many wishes for Contagious Chemistry to make an encore appearance in 2013 as the relatively young mare showed up much older competition in a round one judge remarked as “as close to perfection as I’ve seen in many years”.
-Regular Pony Hunters (10 entries)
1. Contagious Chemistry owned by Ashley Nicole from ASI
2. Daily Dreamer owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
3. Chicanery owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
4. PSH Frosted Pleasure owned by Jill from KR
5. Earth Shaker owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
6. Silver Frost owned by Ashley Nicole from ASI
7. Excuse My Sparkle owned by Sarah from FF
8. Nova Marzipan owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
9. Boscage owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
10. Eleven (REAA) owned by Jill from KR
The clouds became less threatening as the day progressed, resulting in sighs of relief from everyone involved as the Show Jumpers were prepared for their go. The atmosphere in the judge’s booth was all excitement as Pagan Rites (whom had earlier managed to break his halter and nearly trampled a groom), last year’s Gold Medalist, entered the ring. He stunned everyone with a faultless performance, and as Miu Miu fell behind with both time and jumping penalties it became apparent who the clear winner of the day was. PSH Couplet’s rider unfortunately hit the ground after a particularly bad spot at a liverpool, causing the stallion to stumble out of the water and his rider to lose their seat.
-Grand Prix Show Jumping (10 entries)
1. Pagan Rites owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
2. Miu Miu owned by Jill from KR
3. Zeitgeist owned by Jill from KR
4. Real Suspicious owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
5. Grandiose Delusions owned by Janena from LE
6. Releve owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
7. PSH Haiku owned by Bam from BP
8. Khemistry owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
9. Black On White owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
10. PSH Couplet owned by Bam from BP
In a drastic change from how the weather was looking in the starting Dressage phase and earlier event of Grand Prix Show Jumping, a torrential downpour began as the cross-country phase of the four-star Eventing began. Thankfully the grounds were well managed so that the course did not get too muddy, however it was still particularly hard to see the upcoming jumps, resulting in a few (thankfully non-serious) falls of both rider and horse. The horses that did manage to stay on their hooves and pick their way through the course all suffered time faults, and it was decided early on by the judges to extend the time limit for all competitors. The horses and riders all exhibited extreme bravery in the face of horrible weather, and it was a rather small Thoroughbred gelding, gone relatively unnoticed by the crowd, who triumphed in the end.
-CCI**** Eventing (10 entries)
1. Bear Necessity owned by Bam from BP
2. Aryastark owned by Jill from KR
3. Zodiac Calhoun owned by Jill from KR
4. Tiebout owned by Jill from KR
5. Epiphany In Paris owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
6. Proper Intuition owned by Bam from BP
7. Seaside Rendezvous owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
8. Talk Happy owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
9. Kilkenny owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
10. Symphony Houdini owned by Bam from BP
The driving course was moved indoors by unanimous agreement as the rain continued to pour, though it did little to dampen the spirits of the competitors. Shining last year in their first debut as RWEG contenders, the driving horse turnout was much smaller this time around, but nevertheless excitement shimmered through the air as last year’s Gold Medalist, Ghost Writer, took to the ring. However, he was outshone by all but one other horse. The flashy movement and precision exhibited by every team impressed the judges, who remarked that “for a relatively new discipline, the drivers sure are bringing their A game”. There was an impressive representation of breeds, ranging from Friesians, to a Morgan, to a Gypsy Vanner, an Arabian, and a lone Paint gelding.
-Senior Pleasure Driving (6 entries)
1. Signature Ballad owned by Sarah from FF
2. Vision Revolt owned by Sarah from FF
3. Catch The Moon owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
4. Major Fantacy owned by Sarah from FF
5. Ghost Writer owned by Kara from LP
6. Eternal Master owned by Sarah from FF
The judges were excited as a total of six of last year’s competitors made an appearance, including the Gold and Silver medalists. Stepping up to the plate and exceeding both his performances of the year prior was Zipped Dynamically, proving the effort and training that had gone into every day he’d worked the past year. The mare who had narrowly missed both a first place win in Day One of the 2011 games and the Gold Medal in the final day, Another Lucky Miss, managed to secure herself a spot in the finals - though just barely. With so many familiar faces already at ease with a RWEG setting, the newcomers were put to the test - and they proved their point with Be Mine, a mare making her debut in the World Games who placed second in the first day.
-Senior Western Pleasure (10 entries)
1. Zipped Dynamically owned by Sarah from FF
2. Be Mine owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
3. Serengetti owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
4. Chutin' Scotch owned by Sarah from FF
5. Another Lucky Miss owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
6. Face Value owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
7. Mighty Rugged owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
8. Zipped Down South owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
9. Desperately owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
10. Heart Of The Matter owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
As the rain began to ease up, the Reiners took their turn. Three of last year’s competitors, including last year’s Silver medalist, made an encore performance while several fresh faces made their debut. Oklahoma Autumn won over the judges with her precise spins and Nuthin’ But Charm was a close second with breathtaking stops - though it was the general consensus that all of the competitors were worthy of their place in the first day.
-Senior Reining (9 entries)
1. Oklahoma Autumn owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
2. Nuthin' But Charm owned by Sarah from FF
3. Pocos Stylish Tivio owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
4. Cats On Mars owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
5. A Smokin Gun owned by Sarah from FF
6. Seeing Blue owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
7. Painted Skip owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
8. No Time To Zip owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
9. Chute For Hollywood owned by Sarah from FF
There was an excited buzz among the judges and owners as a son of last year’s Gold Medalist, Red Hot Moon, made his appearance and was generally considered a fan favorite. There were no hard feelings, however, upon the apparent triumph of several other horses as they raced through the barrels in a long-familiar pattern. There was quite a shock as each competitor edged out the one before it by milliseconds, making a first for the Games that the order of horses performing was an exact reverse of the placing of each horse.
-Senior Barrel Racing (10 entries)
1. Dream So Lonesome owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
2. Make It Look Easy owned by Sarah from FF
3. Frogger Zee Dash owned by Sarah from FF
4. Aamerican Taboo owned by Sarah from FF
5. Dash With Honor owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
6. Shoot Shes So Hot owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
7. Fly Ta Da Moon owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
8. Red Hot South owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
9. Rock Steady owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
10. Jet By Night owned by Sarah from FF
Two horses made a reappearance in the second running of Endurance in the RWEGs, with a surprising turnout where the Akhal Tekes outnumbered the Arabians in a 3/2 fashion. As if determined to prove themselves the true champions of the distance race as is so often agreed by endurance enthusiasts, an Arabian mare took the first place position for the day, closely followed in an almost dead heat fashion by an Akhal Teke stallion who was a familiar face from the previous year, who dominated the first day of the 2011 Games and then drastically fell behind in the Finals.
-Endurance (10 entries)
1. Maarajan owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
2. Scimitar owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
3. Daja owned by Jana from GM @ FF
4. Burn The World owned by Jana from GM @ FF
5. Ibelin owned by RaeAnn from VH
6. Samarkand owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
7. Taymas owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
8. Burning Seyville owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
9. St Petersburg owned by Jana from GM @ FF
10. Badr owned by Bam from BP
A proud moment for the three-gaited Saddleseat competitors, owners, and trainers everywhere as the sport made its debut in the World Equestrian Games, proving the flashy exhibit of talent and class was more than just a spectator’s sport. Arabians and Saddlebreds dominated the day with only one Morgan to provide a bit of variety, though all competitors displayed their talents exceptionally. Despite the sport being known for its flashy horses with their oftentimes loud coloring and extravagant movement, many of the competitors were surprisingly calm, consider most had likely never been to a RWEG in their lives. Indeed, the judges remarked that, to their surprise, the ‘fancy’ horses were among the most well-behaved in the groups.
-Three-Gaited Saddleseat (10 entries)
1. Thee Chocolate Decadence owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
2. All Systems Go owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
3. SC Deceived owned by Jill from KR
4. Abia Adiva owned by Janena from LE
5. Infinite Rhythm owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
6. SC Picasso owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
7. Amir Ibn Gazal owned by Sarah from FF
8. Walking On Water owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
9. Just Wicked owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
10. Kept Woman owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
As equally proud to be debuting in the Riata World Equestrian Games as their closely-related competitors, the Three-Gaited Saddleseat horses, the Five-Gaited Saddleseat show horses soon proved they were almost exactly opposite their cousins in temperament. Despite the relative similarity between competition types, the pure-Saddlebred filled ranks of the Five-Gaiters were exceptionally more high-strung and excited than most of the other competition groups, including the notoriously high-strung Show Jumpers and Barrel Racers. Despite that, the horses and their riders, owners, and trainers pulled it together nicely for an extravagant show in the afternoon.
-Five-Gaited Saddleseat (6 entries)
1. SC Have A Little Faith owned by Merry Vollmer from TN
2. Ticket To Ride owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
3. Turn On The Heat owned by Kate from SEC @ FF
4. Steel Drums owned by Danya Stevenson from LEC
5. SC Watercolor Lies owned by Jill from KR
6. Shamrock N' Roll owned by Jill from KR