Equestrian Team USA Wins FEI Nations Cup In Wellington, Florida

Friday evening, March 1st, was the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup in Wellington, Florida. Seven countries had teams of four competing twice over the same course. It was an exciting class to watch. The fences were huge, the course was long, and each rider had the pressure of doing well for their team! Having had a top jumping horse, I knew the hard work, preparation, training, time, teamwork and patience to bring along a world class champion jumper. What caught my attention that night was the horse and rider expressions throughout the course: focus, concentration, exuberance from some [horses kicking their heels up after the last fence,] the joy of success, the agony of defeat, the love and pride. Please enjoy the photographs below.

Johannes Ehning of Germany, riding “Salvador V” gave it their best but unfortunately had 8 faults in the first round and 4 faults in the second round. The German team came in third place in the overall team standings.

Laura Kraut of the United States rode “Cedric” also her mount for the 2012 Olympic Games. This little powerhouse can fly around the course springing high above the jumps. Laura was clear in round one, and had 4 faults in round two. The United States team was victorious with all of their other horse and rider combinations going clear in round one and two.

Cian O’Connor of Ireland rode “Splendor” to a clean round in one and two. The horse has a magnificent almost gold colored coat. Cian is a marvelous rider! I had the fortune to see him handle the Jumping Derby victoriously the week before over a grueling course of 20 obstacles. His horse was so excited after the last fence he had the energy to buck and kick up his heels. Cian was happy and breathless at the end. The Irish team came in fourth place.

Reed Kessler of the United States aboard “Cylana,” also her mount in the 2012 Olympic Games went clean in round one and two. She is the youngest rider on the American Equestrian Team and in Olympic competition at the age of 18. Her horse is brilliant. She was ecstatic to go clean. Cylana seemed to trot off with her head held high enjoying the applause.

All of the riders I watched that night were magnificent! It was a thrill to see the skill of the rider and their successful partnership with their horse.