On the choice of Las Vegas as the venue:
"The dressage riders had nothing but positive things to say about the experience. Wonderful footing, exceptional stabling. Riders would be very supportive of having it back in Las Vegas."
--Glenda McElroy
"Vegas is the Entertainment Capital of the world. People know they are supposed to be excited here. We planned it with only one event each day to make each event stand out in importance, and allow riders, owners and spectators some time to enjoy themselves out on the town."
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- Illustration by Sandy Rabinowitz
--John Quirk
"Dressage is getting more and more popular in the United States. It was about time that the World Cup Finals returned here. Las Vegas is so unique! Thomas & Mack can hold a big crowd, but at the same time it is built in such a way that the spectator feels close to what is happening in the arena."
--Mariette Withages
"We would welcome this back as soon as the FEI would allow it. We sold out Saturday night. It was a sellout."
--Pat Christenson, president, Las Vegas Events
More Vegas Musings, Reactions
By Karen Robinson
After the World Cup, I (Karen Robinson--FEI rider, equestrian journalist and music designer of the World Cup freestyles of Leslie Reid and Leslie Morse) emailed my friends who had been at the historic competition to get their impressions. Here are some of the responses and reflections I received:
"It was the most amazing [competition] in the history of dressage. It's the first time ever that 70 percent has not qualified a rider for the final."
--Cara Whitham, FEI "O" judge and World Cup commentator
"When my horse, Lingh, heard it, he gave even more. It was really nice."
--Edward Gal, who said he couldn't remember ever having heard a European audience clap during his freestyle
"The unrestrained enthusiasm of the audience at this World Cup made the experience a memorable one not only for the spectators, but also for the riders. The people were just phenomenal; THEY inspired ME! It touched me in a very deep way. I felt like I was riding for them and they were working with me."
--Leslie Morse
"I have been singing 'Viva Las Vegas' for weeks, and the thrill of seeing those rides has not worn off."
--Jo Ann Sette, a rider from Texas, who spotted Edward Gal getting out of a taxi at the Paris Hotel
One World Cup observer told me, "I thought the attitude and knowledge of the spectators was great. It seemed we all knew what was going on." Another said, "My husband came with me and now he thinks that the show jumping is the boring stuff!" "It was fun to run into friends from all over the country. It really amazes me how small our world can be," said others.
Of course there were gambling stories, like the one about the two women who bought riding pants at the trade fair with their slot machine winnings--and many more about those who were less lucky at the casinos.
No one expected any less of Vegas, and even for those who would not go there for any other reason than to see a horse show the town won their approval as a venue. When he took the mike for the first time on day one of competition, announcer Nicho Meredith said, "I don't believe I have ever been to a dressage show that started quite like this." He was referring to ear-splitting fireworks reminiscent of a monster truck competition.
The unprecedented audience participation may spell a new era in dressage show etiquette. Many people noticed that Debbie McDonald and Brentina's passage seemed to get better and better as Brentina proceeded down her final centerline to the clapping and cheering of the crowd, who were already on their feet. But the most powerful image that stayed with the 12,000 people at the World Cup in Las Vegas was that of having witnessed some of the most exciting dressage in history.
Read complete coverage of the World Cup Dressage Final in the July 2005 issue of Dressage Today magazine and in EquiSearch's special World Cup section.
