TEAM ITALY FIRST

Dido Masi scored the first win for Team Italy in the hunt seat equitation on Thursday, July 10, riding Zips Savanah Rose. It's his second Youth World Cup - he came to Amarillo, Texas, in 2006. Keep an eye out for Dido - he's also showing in cutting and horsemanship. Although Dido’s English is very good, his mother, Paola, joined in on the Journal interview to make sure we understood each other.

Tell me about the pattern, how did it go?

He did good. The horse listened to me, and I had no trouble.

What did you have to work on the most to prepare with this horse?

Galoppo, loping, and not letting the horse fall into the circle.

What have you enjoyed the most about Canada so far?

Niagara Falls!

What has been the most fun while you’ve been here?

In the evening, back at the hotel, playing soccer all together. And creating a party in every room. Having fun (with new friends).

Why do you like this class?

Because it is focused on the horse and rider and the communication with the horse.

What challenges did you have to overcome to get here?

In the last two weeks before leaving, we had the Italian Quarter Horse Championship and right after that a reining clinic and right after that a reining competition. And then we took off (here).

Fun Fact: When 15-year-old Dido isn't riding, chances are you'll find him riding his motorcycle. He also enjoys working on the mechanics of his 'cycle. 

Cara Walker of Team USA won second in hunt seat equitation aboard Zippos Got Rhythm.

TEAM USA SECOND

With a second in hunt seat equitation, Cara Walker of Columbia, Missouri, pushed Team USA to an early lead in the overall competition. You could hardly hear her talk over the happy crowd in Team USA’s stalls. It’s Cara’s first time to compete in a Youth World Cup.

Tell me about your ride.

I jumped on my horse, warmed him up a little bit and then went in. He was very good. He wants to get his head up a little bit, but I just rode him through it as much as I could. There are other kids on our team who have been working with him on pleasure all week so he wants to be real slow. So I kind of pushed him forward and did what I could with him. He tried hard. He was a good horse.

Did you have any challenges in this class?

We only decided yesterday that we were going to ride him in the eq because something happen to one of our other horses. I switched over to him and I rode him English for like 10 minutes last night because we didn’t want to be real hard on his legs. Then I just saddled him up today and went and rode him. He responded well. I just sat up and showed. He was pretty good.

What do you like about this horse?

I like that he’s real slow. He’s a slow thinker, so you’re not constantly keeping up with him. You can kind of tell him where to go. And even though he’s sometimes a little slow getting there, he tries real hard. He’s really never bad.

What have you liked best about your trip to Canada so far?

I had never been to Canada, so I loved going to Niagra Falls. That was very neat to see. I like being in a different place that’s not the same as home.

Fun Fact: Cara will be showing her horse, Come As You Are, at the 2008 AQHYA World Championship Show in Oklahoma City in August. She has qualified for showmanship, horsemanship, hunt seat equitation, trail and western riding.

To read more about Cara, click here.