I’m inclined to think that the magic of Totilas is due to two things: the horse’s inherent natural talent AND Edward Gal’s ride. As one blogger said when news of Totilas’ sale first hit the web, equestrian competition is a sport of couples. It takes more than just a talented horse with a talented rider. They need to have a special connection. It’s more than knowing the right aids. It’s being inside each other’s heads … and hearts. Edward and Totilas had it. Will Matthias and Totilas? I think it’s certainly possible, but not necessarily guaranteed.

Here’s some of the first video that has been released of Matthias riding Totilas:

Compared to Edward Gal and Totilas at WEG:

The handsome horse does the moves for Matthias, but he doesn’t quite have the same flash and presence under him … yet. But it’s very early in the partnership.

What do you think? Is is possible for Totilas to shine under any rider but Edward?

Do these top level competitors and trainers still have their love of horses?

No doubt they were horse crazy kids just like we were, begging for their first pony at Christmas, getting a big thrill out of just petting a horse, spending more hours in the saddle than out – all for the complete joy of it. But when you make it to the top, does it become all business? Is it all about the harmonious partnership and relationship with a horse? (Like it is for us everyday horse crazy owners?). Or is it all about the money, and success, and making it to the top?

It’s hard to believe that some of the most successful in our sport haven’t lost their love of horses when I see how they sometimes crank their horses around, and after a good ride hop down and hand them off to their grooms with little more than the obligatory pat on the neck for the crowd. I know they go above and beyond for these horses to ensure that they have the very best training and care. But is there still that special spark?

A part of me also believes they couldn’t really make it to the top without that spark – that love is often what it takes to get the very best out of a horse.

I’m still not sure. But on the other hand, there were plenty of people who without a doubt were still head over heels for horses.

Courtney of Three Day Three Ways

After spending several days at the Horse Park with horse husband Glenn the Geek, who laughed at me every single time I’d start unintentionally drifting every time I saw a horse, it was nice to spend some time with someone who was just as horse crazy as me. Case in point: as Courtney and I were out walking the cross country, we saw one of the combined driving teams out for a hack around the Park. I was only half way through pointing it out when Courtney took off sprinting to get closer for a photo op.

Guy McLean, Horseman and Entertainer

For the last few years I’ve seen a lot of the natural horsemanship gurus like Monty Roberts, Pat Parelli, and Clinton Anderson, as well other well-known horsemanship trainers like Julie Goodnight. I have a lot of respect for them because they are all about partnership with a horse – for its benefit. But it seems like they are often task oriented, and when they present it’s all about getting the job done.

Then there’s Aussie sensation, recently relocated to the US, Guy McLean. Real life Man From Snowy River – Australian Stock Horses and all. Phenomenal trainer. Charismatic and funny entertainer. Horse crazy 12-year-old girl trapped in a man’s body.

I loved watching him perform because besides having some of the most incredibly well trained horses I’ve ever seen, it was completely obvious how much he loved being with his horses – and how much they loved and wanted to be with him. I saw him practically tear up when he allowed our favorite cowgirl Templeton Thompson (who was severely missing her mare Jane) to do one of her performances from the back of one of his horses. And I saw his face light up and an excited, “wow, she’s beautiful!” escape his lips when he saw the photo of a woman’s Zorse (a zebra and belgian cross).

Pierre and Samantha St. Jacques

I had the wonderful opportunity of going to dinner with Pierre and Samantha St. Jacques, US dressage team alternate for WEG and US Olympic eventer, respectively. All we talked about all night was horses (and wearing helmets). We had a great conversation about how we all got into horses. (Samantha was horse crazy by the time she was 2 years old, Pierre developed a love later in life when he first saw an international dressage competition as a teenager and decided he wanted to do that). It was evident in the way they discussed their horses and experiences that they hadn’t lost their love.

Those are a few of the heart warming experiences I had with horse crazy people at WEG. But I’m still curious to know, what do you think about the most successful equestrians and their love for horses? Still got it? Or all business?

2010 Radio Show Episode 126 by SUCCEED – Show Notes and Links:

• Hosts: Samantha Clark and Glenn the Geek
• Thank you Sammy Sam and Glenny Glenn for a wonderful ride and thanks to Brian and Cat for making them sound so good!
• And thanks to the tens of thousands of listeners from around the world, you are the best.

Please support our sponsors because we would not be here without them:

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You can! Ride the WEG cross country course with Aussie Peter Atkins and his horse Henny of Run Henny Run fame. Check it out:

The WEG course had 45 jumping efforts and took riders between 11-14 minutes to complete. Here are a few spots unique the course and to the Kentucky Horse Park to check out if you don’t want to watch the whole thing:

• Henny and Peter take the difficult options we discussed in the how to read xc options post at 1:35 and 2:25
• Sunken Road is at 6:21
• and Head of the Lake is at 7:24

Peter and Henny have been an internet sensation for a while now from posting the helmet cam videos from their competitions, known as “Run Henny Run.” Be sure to check out the Run Henny Run website, like them on Facebook, and go to the YouTube channel for videos from Rolex and other great events.

2010 Radio Show Episode 122 by SUCCEED – Show Notes and Links:

• Hosts: Samantha Clark and Glenn the Geek
• Location: The International Equestrian Festival in downtown Lexington. Recording at 7:00 PM every night. Stop down and join us.
• Guest: John Freiburger
• Guest: Gavin Robson
• Guest: Doug Orr
• Coverage: Follow all the coverage of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on the Horse Radio Network.

Please support our sponsors because we would not be here without them:

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Listen Now, Download or Subscribe:

One of my friends who very clearly fits into the “everyone else” category, and who was aware of my 9-day exploits in Lexington, asked me a very funny question last night as we were discussing my trip …

“So, are you sick of horses after all that?”

Clearly, an everyone else who just doesn’t get it. Anybody who loves horses, or is married to or parents someone who loves horse, could have easily answered that question for me.

My response? “No way! If anything, it just makes me even horse crazier. I couldn’t wait to come home and ride my own horse, and when I did I even pretended that we were competing at the World Equestrian Games ourselves.”

Then he asked another question that further cemented his “everyone else” status:

“So, did it make you wish you had another horse?” (Implication: better, fancier, more expensive).

If you are reading this blog, I know that you too are a horse crazy person, and can answer that question for me as well.

“Of course not! I love my horse. He’s the best horse in the whole wide world!”

I didn’t come home from the World Equestrian Games wishing I had a Totilas or a Sapphire or an RC Fancy Step (although I did totally want to bring home Aaron Ralston’s adorable little cowhorse). I came home thrilled that I have an absolutely wonderful, smart, friendly, charming, gentlemanly gelding named Wynsome Ace who adores me, does almost everything for me, and enjoys our time together almost as much as I do. I don’t care that his back is a little long and weak, or that he’s got ridiculously high withers and a slightly disproportionate head and neck, or that he’s prone to thrush, or that he still moves kinda crooked, or that he tried to buck me off the other day simply because he was feeling good. What I love is being able to read his every thought in his eyes, that’s he absolutely wonderful 85% of the time and a complete stinker the rest, that he learns quickly and tries hard, and that he nickers at me every single I walk into sight.

I’d say that pretty firmly puts me into the “people who love horses” category.

And I have to give a shout-out to all of you who are the “people who love people who love horses.” My husband is one of those. He could have answered our friend’s questions, and probably could have written this whole diatribe for me – simply because he loves me and understands my inherent need for horses. He was a good sport about being ditched for the week and a half I spent (and the shopping I did) down at WEG. He’s a good sport about the time and money I spend on my horse. And he always reminds me to wear my helmet every time I head for the barn.

And for everyone else – I have a blast talking with you about horses and answering all your questions. There’s little I love more than sharing my love of horses. I wholeheartedly appreciate your genuine interest!

So, what about you? Are you a people who love horses, a people who love people who love horses, or an everyone else? Share your funny stories of your experiences with people in these groups.

Just at the World Equestrian Games for example, Shawn Flarida and RC Fancy Step were the team to beat in reining. They delivered mightily in the team competition, taking the highest score and securing the US gold medal. Then, just a few short days later, one little mistake put them in last place in the individual competition.

Then our US show jumping team, who has been a powerhouse on the international scene for ages, started out the week exceptionally well, earning the top spot for the team with the two best scores of the day. But it was all downhill from there. With rails and stops from our top two horses, the US show jumpers ended up in tenth place at the end of the team competition.

The team gold went to Germany, who is also one of the top show jumping nations but who hasn’t won the world championship medal since 1998. It’s also the first time they’ve put two women on the team (ahem, maybe that proves something?). Three out of four riders of the German riders went clear in last night’s team show jumping finals to secure the gold medal.

Silver went to the French and bronze to the Belgians, who both admitted they hadn’t expected to make the medals stand.

The final team standings were 4. Brazil 5. Canada 6. Sweden 7. Australia 8. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 9. Great Britain and 10. United States.

Now, the top 30 riders will move on to the individual competition. They are led by Roderigo Pessoa of Brazil. Laura Kraut and McLain Ward will move forward for the US, currently in 19th and 26th respectively. They are going to have to put in some spectacular rides to make it to the Final Four – but I know if anybody can, it’s these two and their horses. They were my favorites in the Beijing Olympics and I still have very high hopes for them.

And the best part about pretending to be a rider at WEG was knowing that my little nobody thoroughbred Ace, who I got for mere pennies in the grand scheme of things, could actually be capable of competing at that level. You’d never find his lack of bloodlines or conformation in the dressage arena, but eventing – easily!

That was one thing that struck me most watching the eventing jog last Wednesday: it’s all about the heart when it comes to a great eventing horse. Glancing down through the jog order, I noticed that probably a good half of the horses weren’t even registered with a breed organization. Even my Ace has his jockey club papers.

Most of the unregistered eventing horses looked like thoroughbreds, and most of the registered ones were also thoroughbred. The Irish Sport Horses made a good showing, and other than that we had a handful of warmbloods.

I just love the fact that you don’t have to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a fancy horse that’s bred out the wazoo to be competitive in international level eventing.

Check out some of these event horses who placed in the top 20 at WEG who aren’t associated with a breed registry or aren’t fancy warmbloods:

Place/Name/Born/Breed/Color/Sex

#2 Cool Mountain /2000/ /Bay/Gelding
#5 Redesigned /2001/ /Chestnut/Gelding
#8 Vettori /1996/ /Gray/Gelding
#9 Port Authority /1998/TB/Bay/Gelding
#10 Neville Bardos /1999/TB/Chestnut/Gelding
#16 Jakata /1998/ /Bay/Gelding
#17 Gin & Juice /2000/TB/Bay/Mare
#18 Woodburn /1996/NZTB/Chestnut/Gelding

In contrast, check out the breeds of the top 10 horses in the Dressage Freestyle:
#1 Moorlands Totilas: KWPN (Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands)
#2 Mistral Hojris: Dutch Warmblood
#3 Ravel: KWPN
#4 Hunter Douglas Sunrise: Hannoverian
#5 Fuego XII: PRE Andalusian
#6 Warum Nicht FRH: Hannoverian
#7 Digby: Dutch Warmblood
#8 Pop Art: KWPN
#9 Victory Salute: Australian Warmblood
#10 Donnperignon: FWB

And here are the stats for my own boy Ace:

Wynsome Ace: 2000/Thoroughbred/Bay/ Gelding

Not too hard to tell where he would fit, is it?

It’s obvious that what makes a great eventing horse has to do with what’s on the inside rather than what’s on the outside. An eventing horse has to have a big heart. He has to be very brave. He has to be smart. He has to be willing. He has to be flexible. He has to be confident. He has to be careful.

What else do you think it takes to make a great eventing horse?

Out of 120 horses, only about 22 had clear rounds. I saw lots of wet feet in the liverpool, and the gate that gave Karen O’Connor’s Mandiba trouble during the eventing was the bane of many jumpers’ existence as well. The jumps were beautiful, but built to fall easily, as it seemed like all a horse had to do was look at them funny to get a fault.

Not surprisingly, the US team is solidly in the lead after the first round. Mario Deslauriers and Urico are in the lead followed close behind by McLain Ward and Sapphire. The other US Team members, Lauren Hough on Quick Study and Laura Kraut on Cedric are in 41st and 49th respectively. Germany is currently in second and France in third.

Yesterday’s Speed Round served as the first individual qualifiers. The fault received are converted to points which also carry over to today’s team competition.

Visit the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games site for a full list of results, as well as some cool flash video course maps for each round of the jumping competition.

These riders took the top three spots during the Team Grand Prix early in the week, and never relinquished them. And even more impressively, they just kept getting better and better as the week went on. Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas will leave Kentucky with three gold medals, Laura and Mistral Hojris will leave with three silvers, and Steffan and Ravel are leaving with two bronze medals in the individual events (and were just one point away from the team bronze as well).

I am still a little bit in shock that I had the opportunity to see all of these riders in the Grand Prix. It was like no dressage I have ever seen – including watching every single last ride at the 2008 Olympics.

Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas at WEG

I have a feeling this partnership is going to go down in history as some of the best dressage ever seen. What I love about them is that they have the glitz and glamour of the high-scoring dressage, yet are incredibly quiet, relaxed, and flowing. There is nothing quite like the seamlessness of their transitions from passage to piaffe. And Edward Gal is such a beautiful, quiet rider. You never see him asking Totilas anything … but you know he is, and doing it well, because Totilas always does exactly what he should when he should – and close to perfection. It’s so good, they scored a 91.800% on their freestyle.

They are going home with three gold medals: Team Grand Prix, Individual Grand Prix Special, and Individual Grand Prix Freestyle.

Watch Edward Gal and Totilas’ WEG Grand Prix Freestyle

Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris

I was vaguely familiar with Laura’s name, but wasn’t one I knew to watch as an obvious leader in the competition. I was expecting to see Isabell Werth in her place. But Laura came in for her first test, which I got to see, and put in a stunning performance. It was almost more fun watching her than Edward. We expected Edward and Totilas to come in and blow us away. Laura and Mistral Hojris were a pleasant surprise that just got more exciting with each movement.

Laura and Mistral go back to Great Britain with silver medals in the Team Grand Prix, Individual Grand Prix Special, and the Individual Grand Prix Freestyle.

Watch Laura and Mistral Hojris WEG Freestyle

Steffen Peters and Ravel at the 2010 WEG

I was super excited to come to Kentucky and get to see Steffen and Ravel in person … they are my homeboys. I got to see Steffen clinic at Equine Affaire two years ago and decided that I really love him. He is such a horseman besides being a fantastic dressage rider. And I love Ravel’s flash … and love knowing that it’s gained through patience and classical training practices. I think Steffen and Ravel have all the flair that Edward and Totilas have, but are lacking in their smoothness between movements.

Our boys scored an 84.900% on their freestyle, their highest score of the week. They’ll go home from WEG with bronze medals in the Individual Grand Prix Special and Individual Grand Prix Freestyle.

Watch Steffen and Ravel’s Freestyle at WEG