Thank you EB CDS Member Laura Arvindan for submitting your Impression of the Kentucky World Equestrian Games!
The WEG was an awesome experience, and very motivating for me as a rider. In the Grand Prix Freestyle, the event I went to see, the horses moved with a lightness and grace that was unparalleled.
The park was teeming with energy and excitement, and I couldn’t wait for the evening performance to begin. As I waited for the show to start, I strolled around the Kentucky Horse Park listening to bluegrass, watching demonstrations and clinicians, and browsing through the International Museum of the Horse and the Arabian horse exhibit. I caught glimpses of famous trainers, and spoke with many friendly horsemen and women from various disciplines.
Juan Munoz Diaz and Fuego - Exciting final salute!
The evening of the Grand Prix Freestyle was amazing. Juan Manuel Muñoz Diaz with Fuego XII was by far the crowd favorite. The stallion was very expressive and had loads of brio, which was well-supported by the flamenco music that accompanied the ride. His collected trot had beautiful cadence, and his passage and piaffe were effortless. Muñoz Diaz performed his one-tempi changes one-handed with an excellent, balanced seat. The audience began clapping along with the music, whistling and cheering with excitement. At the end, everyone jumped to their feet in a standing ovation, clapping their hands over their heads. When the final score of 81.45% displayed on the scoreboard, the crowd booed.
The winner, Edward Gal riding Moorlands Totilas, entered the ring a few rides after Muñoz Diaz with quiet, somber music which was in contrast to most of the rides of the evening. There was powerful, controlled strength in the stallion, which was mirrored in the music. Totilas had brilliant movement, with beautiful cadence and lift in the front. As his freestyle continued, the intensity of the music increased along with the display of strength from Totilas. His canter pirouettes were the best I had ever seen, and they never lost an ounce of energy. Gal received a 91.8%, a well-deserved score.
Edward Gal and Totilas at WEG
Steffen Peters and Ravel were at their usual best. The music was fun, and Ravel was very supple and correct. Peters rode an excellent test, and received a standing ovation from the crowd. The most notable part of his performance for me, though, came at the end when he did his victory lap with Gal (the second place winner, Laura Bechtolsheimer, did not ride in the victory lap). In addition to preparing his horse with bell boots and polo wraps, Steffen himself wore a helmet. I have never seen helmets worn at this level of dressage before, I was very impressed with this gesture of the importance of safety in our sport. Kudos to Steffen for this act.
I felt that we were very lucky to have the WEG in the US, and that it was very exciting to have all the disciplines at the Kentucky Horse Park at one time. I hope that our country hosts this wonderful event many times in the future!
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