Suzanne Derks of Team Denmark placed third and sixth in reining.

Saturday, July 12 - Reining!

Today was the reining, my favorite discipline. We got two very good horses, especially one of them. Our two riders went in the clinic and were very happy with their horses. After lunch was the show, and it was very good! Our best horse was placed third and sixth and the other horse seventh and ninth. The winner was Felix from Germany with an amazing ride and a score of 75.5. Congratulations! There was also trail that day, but we didn’t get placed. When we came home we were having fun until we went to bed.

--Natasha Haukrog Moeller & Sofie Schicki Pedersen

Friday, July 11 – Cutting!

Today was cutting day. We got our two horses and were in the clinic. One of our riders got a very nice horse and was placed 10th by both judges. Our other rider got a horse that just kept running forward, so she didn’t get placed. When we came home, we went swimming and relaxed the rest of the evening.

--Natasha Haukrog Moeller & Sofie Schicki Pedersen

Thursday, July 10 – Birthday and Show Day

Today was not only the first show day, it was also one of our riders’ 18^th birthday. So we started the day with a birthday song. After that, we drove to the Western Fairgrounds and started the show. We started good with an eighth place in showmanship, but unfortunately we didn’t get anything else that day. When we came home to Perth Hall, there was a barbeque. We were singing again and the rider’s parents had made a birthday cake. She also got some nice presents from her parents – a reining saddle from one of the (trade show vendors) and the team gave her earrings from White Oaks Mall.

--Natasha Haukrog Moeller & Sofie Schicki Pedersen

Wednesday, July 9 – Pre-show Preparation

Today we were up early again eating breakfast and then to the Western Fairgrounds. Today’s clinics were hunter and hunt seat equitation. After the two very good clinics, it was time to prepare the horses for tomorrow’s show. We washed them, fixed the manes and cleaned all the equipment. When everybody was finished, we drove home, took showers, and some of us went to White Oaks Mall. The rest stayed home and relaxed.

--Natasha Haukrog Moeller & Sofie Schicki Pedersen

Tuesday, July 8 – Clinics Again

Today we drove to the Western Fairgrounds at 7:15 a.m. We did the boxes and the water and then at 8 a.m. we started the western riding clinic and the western pleasure clinic at 10 a.m. Both clinics were very good, and our riders were happy.

After the lunch, there was a trail clinic, and I think it was the best clinic of the day! For me it was! Then there was dinner and after that we drove home to Perth Hall for a movie night. But the only one who saw the movie was our manager.

--Natasha Haukrog Moeller & Sofie Schicki Pedersen

Team Denmark takes a break at Niagara Falls.

Monday, July 7 – Clinics and Niagara Falls

Today we were picked up by the buses at 7:15 a.m. At 8 a.m. there was a showmanship at halter clinic and it was very good. The trainer said good things about Denmark because we really listened to what he said and did (the maneuvers) better the next time.

After the showmanship, at 10 a.m. there was a horsemanship clinic. It was also very good, and our riders were very happy (with what they learned). Later there were just three riding and we could clean the barn.

At 2 p.m,. we were again picked up by the buses, and this time we were going to Niagara Falls. It was very beautiful and amazing to see the biggest waterfall in the world. Some from our team went out sailing in the boats, which go near the waterfall. It was very nice to be there.

About 8 p.m., we went home. It was a long trip home, about two hours. But we had so much fun on the bus singing together with the other countries’ teams. When we got home we got to sleep – it was a really good day!

--Natasha Haukrog Moeller & Sofie Schicki Pedersen

[Click here for the photo gallery.]

Sunday, July 6 – The Horses Arrive

The entire team accepts the Danish flag from a Canadian Cowgirl in the 2008 Youth World Cup opening ceremonies.

Getting a first look at the show records for the horses that Team Denmark drew.

Team Denmark riders learn to play the djembe, including Coach Anja Eriksen.

Today was the big day! At 8 a.m. we drove to the Western Fair Ground. We saw a show with the Canadian Cowgirls and it was amazing. After the show, the Cowgirls came into the arena with every country’s national flag and gave it to each team. Every country came into the arena and our national songs were played.

We had lunch and after that there was a draw on which horses we would get. We drew stable No. 4, and good horses! We decorated our stable, and then we tried out how each horse was.

About 5 p.m., we were picked up by the buses and then we drove back to Perth Hall. By 6 p.m., we were all together in the dining room. After eating, we were mixed into groups and then we played a lot of fun games outside. Before we went to bed, we played ball with (Team) Italy.

--Natasha Haukrog Moeller & Sofie Schicki Pedersen

Saturday, July 5 – Getting Started

The first day was just a relaxing day at Perth Hall (at the University of Western Ontario). In the evening we were picked up by buses and we were driven to a big hall where all the countries’ teams were eating together. After eating, we were playing on drums and other instruments. We were all dancing together and we had a lot of fun. At about 10 p.m. we drove back to Perth Hall where all the countries are staying. We are in the same “gang” as Italy and Austria.

--Natasha Haukrog Moeller & Sofie Schicki Pedersen

[Click here for the photo gallery.]