TEAM USA FIRST
The hunt for the 2008 Youth World Cup crown is on, and Marissa Dalton of Wooster, Ohio, took home the first win for Team USA, leading MT Lucky Cash, owned by the Ecclefield family of New City, New York (Yes, 'New City' is correct). The Journal is talking to all the winners and runners-up - be sure to listen in.
Tell me about your go.
I was really happy with him – we’ve been schooling for a while. He just got better and better every day. He was really good.
What exactly did you have to work on to become a team with him?
His backup; he was wanting to swing his hip. And his spinning, he wanted to slide his foot, so we had to work on that. Every day it got better. When I went into the class he was perfect.
You are a long-time AQHYA competitor, what have you enjoyed about this competition?
It’s really different riding your own horse. I think the best part is knowing that everybody has a disadvantage in the class. We don’t have our own horses so we have to show our best to get them to do what we want them to do.
What have you liked about Canada?
Niagara Falls and their cool money! And we met some neat people, too.
Who do you want to thank?
I want to thank my trainers, Dan and Darlene Trein, and my mom and dad, and the people on the team that have made it possible for me to show.
Fun Fact: Marissa’s trainers from back home in Ohio came up to watch: AQHA Pro Horsemen Dan and Darlene Trein.
TEAM UNITED KINGDOM SECOND
Jessica Sternberg of Team United Kingdom took second in the showmanship on day one. She led Sensational Terms, owned by April Burt of Campbellville, Ontario. The Journal caught her back at Team UK's busy stalls getting ready for her next class in hunter under saddle. Here’s what she had to say.
Tell me about your go.
It was good. (She smiled.) I could have been a bit snappier on my turnaround, but overall I did quite well. It was really good.
What have you enjoyed the most about Canada so far?
All the team spirit is really amazing. And they’ve organized it really, really well. Niagara Falls was amazing as well.
What have you done to become a team with this horse?
I spent quite a bit of time with her, working out how she reacts to the chain. Just spending a lot of time in the warm-up arena and being gentle with her because she gets worried. Just finding out the way she works.
Why do you like showmanship?
I like the presentation of it and the way it’s down to you and the horse being a really good team, and you present your horse to the best of your ability. And the horsemanship of it as well.
What challenges did you have to overcome to get here?
(Jessica thought for a moment.) I had to try and take my A-Levels while I was practicing. That’s it really. (That's a big deal! Passing A-Levels means she can graduate from what we’d call high school in the United States.)
Who would you like to thank?
Jackie (Krshka, coach) and Christy (Leach, team manager), and AQHA. And my Mum! (She laughed.) All my family and friends – they’ve been really supportive.
Fun Fact: Jessica comes from an internationally known reining family – her mom is reining breeder and competitor Rosanne Sternberg. Jessica showed her reiner in showmanship at the 2007 European Championships and placed fifth overall. She got him ready in a little over a month.
