TEAM UNITED STATES FIRST
T. Joe Jeane and Awesome All Star captured another win in western pleasure on Sunday, July 13 – T. Joe took his hat off for the flag as the “Star Spangled Banner” played in the show arena. They didn’t have too much time to celebrate, though, as teammate Katie Jo Jones needed to get ready for her western horsemanship go – she was first in the draw. He did take time to visit with us, once he helped Katie Jo mount up.
Tell me about the ride.
He was good, better than last time. I couldn’t work on him (Friday) but I worked on him yesterday, and he was really good. I just worked on him this morning.
How has the competition been for you?
It’s lots of fun. We’re all doing really good,and a lot of our friends that we’ve met are doing good. It’s fun to root for everybody. At night we all hang out in the hallway (back at the dorms).
What’s different about competing here versus the Ford AQHYA World Championship Show?
At the (Ford) Youth World it’s not team-oriented; you don’t have that whole cheering section from the USA yelling for you. It’s more relaxed (here) – if you don’t win one, well, one of your friends wins one. It’s a team, and we’re all doing it for the team rather than just for yourself.
We’ve gotten to meet some of these other teams, and we know them so well, now. You want to root for them, they’re your friends. Like last night in the reining, the top four or so, I knew every one of them and I was hoping they’d all do great. And in the cutting, I was rooting for everybody.
What’s left for you today?
I have the western riding, and I’m going to be riding For The General, “Shorty.” He’s really cool. He’s the opposite of “Awesome;” Awesome is 15 (hands), and “Shorty” is like 17 (hands.) It’s a totally different ride.
Has your coach said any one thing to your team over and over while you’ve been here?
Keep showing. When you’re at home and your horse messes up, you want to stop and school him so he’ll be better for the next time. But with this one, it’s…this is the show; it’s the only one. Just keep showing your horse, no matter what, because you never know what’s going to happen. And you’re not going to have another chance to redeem yourself.
Fun Fact: T. Joe is qualified for the 2008 Ford Youth World in both western riding and trail on Zippos Tiger Bar – he’ll head to Oklahoma City to show there on August 1.
TEAM GERMANY SECOND
Carolin Lenz and her equine partner, Stay Bay Lucy, won another medal for Team Germany. This time it was silver in the second day of western pleasure. Walking through the arena on her way to get ready for the next class, horsemanship, the Journal asked Carolin about her ride.
Did you like your ride today?
It was really great. Much better than Thursday. She did pretty good. She’s very nice to show.
What made his ride better today?
She stayed slower and her head was better and she listened good.
Are you having a good Youth World Cup?
It’s been a great show. I’m really enjoying it.
What else do you have to show in today?
Horsemanship and western riding.
Fun Fact: Carolin and her horse, Circles Poco, are qualified for the 2008 AQHYA World Championship Show in trail.
