A Week of History-Making Excitement
I just returned from Omaha, Nebraska, attending the FEI Equestrian World Cup Finals. Top riders/horses in Dressage, Show Jumping, and Vaulting, from around the globe, were vying for the coveted trophies…best in the world. It was an exciting four days. I saw several Region 9 folks, and enjoyed dinners with the FWDC Board members.
The important USDF Spring Executive Board meetings were also held. The meetings were attended by the USDF officers, Regional Directors and At Large Directors. Good progress was made in planning a great future for USDF members.
The CHI Health Center Omaha was a spectator-friendly venue, all enclosed. Thank goodness, because weather was cold! The warm-up arena was in the middle of the trade show. One could stand at the rail and almost feel the breath of these fabulous horses as they went by. There were lots of booths for shopping. I enjoyed visiting both the USDF booth and The Dressge Foundation booth…where they have several items up for auction (online now), including horseshoes from our 2021 USA Olympic Dressage team horses.
Wednesday afternoon Dressage Grand Prix started with 16 entires…of the best of the best. By Friday – the Dressage Freestyle Final – the field had narrowed to twelve. They were excellent rides with a lot of “wow” moments! Janet Foy, judge at “C”, mentioned she gave several 10s.
I’m looking forward to 2026, when the FEI World Cup is coming to Fort Worth, TX.
-Bess Bruton
-
- CHI Venue
-
- Horseshoe sculpture next to warm-up
-
- Bess bundled in coat and hat.
-
- Janet Foy judging.
-
- Steffen Peters in piaffe with Suppenkasper.
-
- The final results of the freestyle top 6.
-
- The top three winners on the podium.
