My Exciting 2009 Rolex World Cup Trip to Las Vegas!

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Paula

It was one of the most exciting weekends ever!  To be in the audience with my very good friends, Elaine Palance & Shannon Lockwood at the first World Cup ever held on American soil was wonderful, but to then watch US rider Steffen Peters and Ravel win both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle was phenomenal!   By doing so, they became the first American dressage duo to win the Grand Prix class and make a clean sweep of the World Cup title!  Needless to say, the crowd (including us!) went crazy!

The day before had been invited by special invitation (Elaine knows everybody and everybody LOVES her!) to attend a very special “get together,” with some of the World Cup Dressage Riders.  We gathered in a small section of the upper level at the Thomas & Mack arena with other eager dressage fans and awaited the arrival of Olympic and World Games riders such as Debbie McDonald, Steffen Peters, Isabell Werth, Jan Brink and Charlotte Brendal-Baker.   It was certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and chat with these most respected and accomplished individuals.  We sat and chatted with Debbie McDonald, who was there to retire her beloved mare, Brentina and with Jan Brink, also there to retire his champion stallion, Briar.  Both were emotional, yet looking forward to the next chapter in their lives as they spoke about their amazing experiences and partnerships with their respective champion horses.  I was able to get a few photos with these exceptional riders that I have included below.  I will remember that day for the rest of my life and am so grateful to Elaine for making me a part this amazing weekend!