Horseware Ireland :: News - Youth World Show Games

12th July 2006

YOUTH WORLD SHOW GAMES - TEXAS, USA 2006!

My Special thanks to Horseware® Ireland for their Support.

The American Paint Horse Association

Youth World Show Games - Texas, USA 2006 by Jessica Winberg

I would like to thank Ulrika Ekblom and her family, Annika Muller Hansen, Eriksson Reklam, APHADK, HCWR, all at Tuse Creek Ranch and especially Ditte Poulson and James G Hansen for their Support and Help.

I arrived at Nedpoint Ranch in Oklahoma a few days before the Youth World Show Games in Texas and was proud to ride one of their stallions. The horses at Nedpoint are so nice and well looked after.

After a couple of days at Nedpoint we left for the Show. On the first day I met Markus Rensing, the European Director for the APHA and his wife Cindy who took such wonderful care of us and made us feel special.

The following day we lotted out the horse we should ride in the competition. The class which I was competing in was Reining. Unfortunately there were no reining horses allowed in the Lottery. The reason being was there were so many young riders. Some of which were only 10 year old.

I was the first to pick the lotto ticket and my horses name was 'Angel'. Angel is a World Champion in Pleasure and Trail. Once you lot out your horse you cannot change it. It is just to do the best you can. I had 30 minutes to ride Angel before I went into the arena.

It is not easy to train a Champion Trail and Pleasure horse - spins, rollbacks and side stops in 30 minutes. I could not use spurs as Angel is very sensitive, but she was so good and tried her best to understand what I was asking of her in a very short time.

Ulrika Ekblom and Annika Muller Hansen were by my side. They were my light and support and helped me right through to the end.

Annika was with me and helped me when I rode Angel for the first time. She gave me very good advice and lots of confidence which helped me in the arena. Ulrika was like a mother, making sure I was on time, that all my clothes were in order and that I had eaten properly. I felt very lucky to have Ulrika nad Annika around and also my best friend, Amanda.

Markus also took time out of his busy day to help me. He was so kind and helpful and a new friend I am happy to have.

As we waited to go into the arena, I was very nervous, lots of people in a very big arena. Angel was calm as she had already competed at the show. I entered the arena knowing that Angel would look after me and do the best she could.

The Reining Pattern was not what I am used to - 4 spins to the right and 4 spins to the left. No! It was two and a half to the right and two and a half to the left. Angel did the best she could, big circles, small circles, roll backs and slide stop. I felt really good, everything was working until we came to the final part of the pattern, the spins. Angel and I froze and the flow of he spin was gone.

When I came out of the arena, the owners of Angel were waiting for us. They were so happy with our performance, knowing that this was the first time Angel had competed in a Reining Class.

We were not placed in the arena, but we certainly won First Place when we came out. When I saw all the happy faces I knew that we had won First Place in the hearts of so many. For me, this was one of the most memorable moments in my life. I was pleased with my riding and very pleased with Angel's performance and proud to have ridden a horse who is a World Champion.

Ditte Poulson and James Hansen, my trainers, always told me, the most important thing is that you are pleased with your own performance, no matter how you are placed. Without Ditte and James I would never have come this far in my riding. It is thanks to them that I had this opportunity to be part of the Youth World Games and it is thanks to Ulrika and Annika that I got through it.

The Grand Parade was at the end of the competition and that was the most wonderful experience I have ever had. All the Teams entered the arena, dressed very well in their competition clothes and carrying their country's flag.

Markus Rensing carried the European Flag and I carried the Danish Flag. He took my hand and together we walked into the arena. As I came into the arena, my name came up in big neon lights over the arena "Jessica WInberg - Denmark'. I carried the Danish Flag as high as I could because I was proud to represent my country, Denmark.

I am now back at Nedpoint Quarter Horse Ranch in Oklahoma and will stay here for another 3 weeks, learning what I can from the great Reining trainer, Fredrik Thompson and his assistant Tove.

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