Cutting day at the AQHA Youth World Cup began with a morning clinic – this year it was with Team Wrangler Member Teddy Johnson of Gainesville, Texas, and trainer Troy Donaldson of Waterford, Ontario. The competition was in the afternoon. The cutting is double-judged, and awards and team points are given for the top 10 placings under each judge.

Click here for the story about the winners under judge one.

TEAM ITALY FIRST

Team Italy’s Daniele Lelli of Limena, Italy, was ecstatic about winning the cutting under judge two while riding Elly McGregor’s Fourth Time Easy. Matter of fact, he was so ecstatic he asked to wait a day for his interview. The Journal caught up with Danielle right before he went into the reining clinic on July 12 to talk about his gold-medal win.

How was your ride yesterday?

Yesterday was incredible. That was my second time to do cutting and it was really, really fun. The horse was perfect and was a really nice horse. She was really, really fantastic. Very responsive. When I would say whoa, she would ... (he demonstrates by pulling back on a pair of invisible reins).

Is this your first Youth World Cup?

No, it’s my second. I was in Amarillo in 2006.

Did you ride cutting there?

(Daniele drops his head a little, with a smile on his face.) Yeah but I didn’t do so good.

So that was your first time to ride cutting and this was your second time. You don’t ride cutting horses in Italy?

No. (His grin spreads across his face and he laughs.)

Did Teddy help you in the cutting clinic yesterday?

Oh yes. When I cut the cow, he told me to go slow, keep your hand up.

What have you liked best about the Youth World Cup so far?

The friendly people. Everyone is really, really friendly. And the help they give to me is incredible. I’m so happy.

Is there anyone you would like to thank?

Yes, my team and my coach Debbie (Cooper) and our manager Paola (Donarini). They have helped me a lot. My team is incredible.

Fun Fact: Daniele’s favorite event is reining and hopes to one day show in the larger reining events in Europe.

TEAM UNITED KINGDOM SECOND

Josh Collins of Sussex, England, rode Dr. Jim Henderson’s Sas An Flip to take home a second-place medal under judge two for Team United Kingdom. The Journal caught up with Josh in the alley as he was walking back to the Team UK stalls to ask him about his ride.

Tell me about your ride.

It as OK. It could have been better. It wasn’t as fast as I wanted it to be. The horse did everything I wanted him to do but there were a couple of penalties on the last cow and that cost me. But it was good fun and I enjoyed it.

Was your horse good for you?

Oh yes. He was a very nice horse. He really knew what he was doing.

Are you having a good Youth World Cup?

So far it’s been good. I really enjoyed the cutting. I would have liked to have done better but I had a lot of fun with it.

Who would you like to thank?

My coach, Jackie Krshka. She is awesome. She has really helped me. I don’t want to sound like I’m sucking up but she’s incredible. (With a grin spreading across his face, Josh looks behind him to make sure Jackie isn’t nearby and lowered his voice.) Don’t let her hear that, but she’s awesome.

Fun Fact: Josh also won a silver medal at the 2004 Youth World Cup in Australia. Josh said he doesn’t get to cut cattle often as it’s illegal in the United Kingdom.