The Youth World Cup is officially over, but the memories and friends will last forever. USA ended up winning High Point Team, taking home the gold and buckles! The awards ceremony was held at the Hilton Hotel and featured a Texas tradition, chicken and waffles. (They were delicious by the way) None of this would have happened without Dawn Forest, Nancy Cahill, Suzy Jeane, and Michelle Tidwell. All of us are so grateful for their help these past 10 days as well as the preparation put into this huge event.
I went into this not knowing one person on the team, but I’m leaving with basically a second family. We all met youth from around the world, tried to learn words in different languages, and had a great time. The Youth World Cup was an experience I’ll never forget and I will always have special memories to cherish.
Days 11 and 12, Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12th, 2014
Results from today:
Graysen Stroud-
1st Showmanship
3rd Horsemanship
4th Western Riding
Ali Fratessa-
2nd Horsemanship
4th Equitation
Kalee McCann-
1st Equitation
Carli Pitts-
1st Horsemanship
3rd Hunter Under Saddle
9th Trail
Jack Medows-
10th Western Pleasure
Day 10, Thursday July 10th
Finalist Horsemanship
1st Equitation
I won the Horsemanship and was 6th in Hunter Under Saddle. The stands went wild when they unveiled one by one the top three placings in the Equitation, because each one was an American flag. None of this would have happened without the support and help from our coach and manager as well as the leaders. (Mary Claire Cornett, Lindsay Brush, Colby Ringer, Chloe Bening, and Bailey Cook) Tomorrow is Reining day, good luck to Jack Medows and Kalee McCann.
After the clinics and lunch, it was time for everyone to get ready for the big day tomorrow–show day! All horses were clipped, bathed, and banded or braided. Later on we attended the YES Conference where they announced new Youth Officers and Directors. Shoutout to USA World Cup members Kalee McCann, President, Mary Claire Cornett, Vice President, as well as Ali Fratessa and Graysen Stroud, two new youth directors. I’m so proud of everyone.
Day 4 began with a Horsemanship clinic with Jenny and Robin Frid and Becky George with a Western Pleasure clinic with Adam Wainscott and Ricky Spinks. Our Horsemanship exhibitors are Ali Fretessa, Graysen Stroud, and myself. Pleasure exhibitors are Jack Medows and myself.
Right now all teams are back at the dorms getting ready for a big Fourth of July celebration. I’ve heard there will be hay wagons and fireworks, so it’ll be a party!
Day 1-Thursday July 3, 2014The youth representing USA got to get together and we are all honored to be on this team. Members include Jack Medows, Alessandra Fratessa, Kalee McCann, Graysen Stroud, Bailey Cook, Mary Claire Cornett, Colby Ringer, Chloe Bening, and Lindsay Brush, and myself. As well as our Coach, Nancy Cahill, and Team Manager, Suzy Jeane. Each country will have riders to compete in nine different events including: cutting, reining, horsemanship, western pleasure, trail, western riding, hunt seat equitation, hunter under saddle and showmanship. This is only the first day and you can feel the excitement in the air!
