WEG Wrap up

Team USA

Holy cow! Its already the middle of January! Well I guess no time like three months after the even to provide a wrap up!

Overall Team USA put in a good showing at the WEG. Moneypenny and I finished 10th overall with a 69% in the freestyle. We were the highest scoring US pair! I'm very content with our performance in our first international event. The experience was unbelievable...its hard to put into words.

We set out on this journey almost 5 years ago and it was a true test of will. There were many ups and downs, but once I walked into that stadium for opening ceremonies, it all became worth it! The quality of the competition was amazing. I thought there might be 10 top horses. Instead there were at least 60 top notch international horses. As one US judge said, "these horses were eye candy for any rider." I was glad to see so many Americans recognize how competitive Para-Dressage is on the international level. I hope this awareness will lead to support of the up-and-coming US Para Team riders. The riders winning medals at the WEG are heavily supported financially.

Whats next? The London Paralympics of course! But first I'm dedicating my time and energy to building my small training business in Winters. I have very supportive clients and I'm really excited about helping them with their goals. At the same time I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a horse to campaign for London while competing with MP in the FEI able-bodied shows, and bringing up my two young horses Verite and Amigo.

I would like to take the opportunity to all of those who helped me on this journey. My family and friends, coaches, veterinarians, therapists, sponsors and moral supporters: I could not have done without the huge support system that we call Team MP!

Here are a few photos: all of our WEG photos will be published at www.susantreabess.com.

Ellen & Susan spectating

MP being interviewed by Sam & Glenn

Ellen coaching

Erin, Robin, Mary & me!

2 out of 3 tests complete...

Here are Susan's results so far:

Team Test 63%

Individual Test 64.8%

The next and final test is the Musical Freestyle, which doesn't happen until Sunday. Surely they'll get another good score, as her freestyle is full of personality and class - even with the sexy flapper music!

In Susan's first test, the Team Test, Moneypenny unfortunatley got her tongue over the bit, which made their canter work a bit challenging, but in talking with Ellen, spectators couldn't tell. They were able to perform a very solid test, despite MP's roaming tongue. The second test, the Individual, went very smooth, and there were even parts of the test Susan felt like she just nailed the movement, and couldn't stop from smiling during the ride. She said MP was more up and round than she'd ever been before in competition, so she was very pleased with that.

Overall, Susan is in the middle of the pack as far as scores go, which is very respectable considering this is the WEG! Susan is having a great time, and is very happy with MP, and still proud as ever that she is representing the US. She said she's learned so much leading up to, and at the WEG. She was even talking to a fellow para rider that has really cool adaptive reins, where she can operate the snaffle, the snaffle and curb, or just the curb, and she has one arm. Pretty impressive. Susan also watched some of the vaulting, and she said it's so entertaining! The athletes are like cheerleaders, with muscles and great athleticism to go along with that very peppy attitude!

Competition Starts Today!

Moneypenny, along with all the US horses, passed their jog, and are fit and ready for competition, which starts today. Susan rides at 6:30 pm Eastern, 3:30 pm west coast time.

A "fan" of Susan's asked me to explain how the Para Dressage Competition works, so here it is...There are three tests, the Team Test, Individual Test and the Musical Freestyle. Competitiors are divided into specific grades according to their abilities, and are asked to perform a specific test according to their grade. To determine the team placings, the scores for the Team Test and the Individual Test are combined, and the top 3 riders from each nation are then added together to determine placing. The Individual Test and the Musical Freestyle are both individual rides, so the best score wins. Hopefully that explains the "fans" question.

Susan reports that she is so proud to be competing at the WEG, representing the United States of America. She feels very good going into the Team Test, as MP in in her "element", fit, happy and ready to strut her stuff! Susan is so happy to have a group of cheerleaders there, made up of her family and friends.

Go for the Gold Susan! We're all rooting for you!

Susan Says It Best...

Because the World Equestrian Games is such a huge deal, in the Equestrian World at least, I thought Susan's email to me last night said it best, so I've decided to just copy and paste. Enjoy...

"Hello! All is well here. I had my first session with Ellen today, MP felt FANTASTIC. I cried and jumped for joy when she got here, its so nice to have someone that knows me and the horse so well. It felt so good to just ride and not have to think. Opening ceremonies was on Saturday and was an amazing experience. I have never been involved in something quite like it. The US uniform was Ariat jeans, boots, and shirt topped with the US blazer, belt, scarf and cowboy hat. Actually, several nations wore cowboy hats. Prior to the ceremonies, they had each discipline take team photos and then they sent us inro a staging area. Altech provided their famous Kentucky Burbon Ale so everyone was having a very good time. We got to meet many riders from the other nations and other disciplines, and we chatted quite a bit with Anne Gribbons, the US Dressage Team coach. She is SO nice! When the vaulters started throwing each other in the air, we knew it was almost time to go. Staff began walking through the athlete crowd with signs for the individial nations. Athletes followowed their sign and thats how the precession began. It was very moving to line up behind the US flag and when we got outside the staging area we could here the bluegrass music coming from the main stadium. I had chills walking from the staging area all the way to the stadium. We could hear them announcing the nations and we could hear the crowd cheering. When we rounded the corner before entering and saw the jam packed stadium, I had a very wierd out of body experience. I couldn't believe that I was really about to walk with our country in a parade of nations for the World Equestrian Games. It was sureal, the feeling of emotion and pride. When they announced the United States over the loud speaker the crowd went wild! It was so crazy in the stadium. Everyone was signing and dancing and cheering. After we all made the lap around the arena, they led us to athlete seating so we could watch the show. To be honest I dont remember much from there - not because of the beer, but because I was so overwhelmed. I hope I get to do this again, because next time I will bring a good camera! So now we train. Other events are going on, reining and dressage. Endurance finished yesterday. We are going to try and go see some of the other events tomorrow."

And if Susan does "this again", it will most likely be the 2012 Olympic Games, of which I promised her I will attend! I can do "on the site" blogging. Until next time, GO USA, GO SUSAN AND MONEYPENNY!

Heaven, Safe & Sound

I'm happy to report that MP has made it safely to Kentucky, and is settled into her beautiful stall, drinking and eating happily. Susan calls the Kentucky Equine Research Center, "the horsey motherland"! MP enjoyed turnout this morning on 5 acres of rolling bluegrass, and thought for sure, this was heaven. The KER facility, owned by Joe & Anna Pagan, is beautiful and it sounds as though every need is being met, complete with automatic waters that tell you how much your horse is drinking!

Susan went for a light ride this morning, and is pleased to report that MP looks great, feels great, and most importantly, seems happy. MP is already wooing her neighbors, she's such a tease. She likes to be wanted.

The team should all have arrived by tomorrow, and they start their "processing" where they get their accreditation's and US gear, which Susan is very excited about!

GO SUSAN & MP!

Up, Up and Away!

Hello friends of Susan and MP! This is Susan's friend, Eva, hijacking her blog to bring you breaking news and photos of the event we've all been waiting for, the World Equestrian Games!

Scott dropped Susan off early yesterday morning, with a huge suitcase, named "Bagzilla", so that she could arrive and get settled before Miss MP made her arrival. Scott and Devon then dropped MP off at some insane time this morning, before the sun came up, for her flight. I don't know a lot about transporting horses via air, however, it's a big deal! The horses are put in boxes and then lifted up to the plane and loaded. They stay in their boxes the whole time, and they have "handlers" which accompany them during the flight. When you think about how horses spook at things like hoses and birds at home, it blows my mind to think about driving them to the airport and loading them on a plane! But MP is a champ, and she knows she deserves all of this hoopla!

Until the next post...GO SUSAN AND MP!!!

Adequan Video Promoting WEG & Para Dressage

Woot woot! Made the US Team!

Wow! Its been two months since my last post! Time flies. We have been really busy and we've had a lot going on with starting my training business, finishing up my Senate job and preparing for WEG, but I cannot complain! Life is good!

The really big news is that I made the US WEG Team! We had a good showing at Lamplight which placed us 5th overall and 4th on the ranking list. The competition was stiff, the pressure immense and the weather in the Midwest just plain stinks!! It rained with thunder and lightning almost every day, and was 90 degrees. Not what we are used to! We had mistakes in our tests which did impact our placings - the difference between 3rd and 6th place overall was less than 1 percentage point! Our take home lesson from Nationals was that we need to go home and iron out all the wrinkles before WEG! The US team REALLY wants to medal with this event being held on home turf!

MP is feeling good and I'm feeling good so I think we are on the right track. We had a really good support team in Chicago including Scott, Ellen, Devon, Susan Parry, Katy P, my parents, my aunt Karen and cousins as well as a few Midwesterners, my mom's best friends Susie & Robbie. It was an amazing experience and once again it reminded me of what a great life it is that I have, with a wonderful horse, wonderful companion, and wonderful friends and family.

Pictures to come, and I will plan to post once a week from now until the WEG! I need a snazzy phone so I can do this on the road...

US Para-Equestrian Association Webathon

Next Tuesday June 8th from 7-9pm est I will be co-hosting the first ever US Para Equestrian Association webathon. It will be broadcast live from Lexington and will feature a number of special guests. The purpose of the event is to raise funds for the US Para Equestrian Team for the WEG. For more information or to tune in go to: http://www.horseradionetwork.com/

Team MP Carmel Valley Fundraiser

I don't even know where to start in order to explain how FANTASTIC the Carmel Valley fundraiser was on May 16. I guess I should start by thanking the "Team MP Committee" for all their hard work and time spent pulling off such a great day. All we had to do was drive in, meet our supporters, ride for them and then go head home. The CV fundraiser committee included: Nancy Bareilles, Katy Peterson, Julie Culver, Susan Baxter, Erin Branson, Susan Rowland, Elizabeth Pasquinelli, Margaret Robinson and Andrea. These ladies are go getter's to say the least. And they know how to throw a party!


The setting

When we arrived everything was set up and the setting was unbelievable. The Carmel Valley Trail and Saddle Club is like a park, tucked into the mountains. Its lush and green and very low key so the atmosphere was very relaxed. The Committee had decorated all of the tables, serving areas and silent auction coral in red white and blue. Everything was so darling and perfect!



The event started at 2 pm with cocktail hour, silent auction opening and was followed up with tri-tip and the works! Every detail was attended to...even down to tin plates and red, white and blue wrapped silverware!




After the mid-afternoon lunch, the demonstrations began. First, Tiana Coudray, a top US Three-Day Event rider, rode a young horse over fences and on the flat to demonstrate the skills of three-day horses. She and the horse were beautiful together, there were many oh's and ah's from the crowd. Next up was me and MP with our freestyle. For whatever reason, riding in front of this crowd was the most nervous I've ever been on a horse. We started with a little warm up from Ellen, in which Katy P was able to talk the crowd through some of the movements required in dressage. Then our freestyle to the Can Can, Cabaret and the Stripper. We showed off some of the new freestyle moves which debuted without a hitch.

The fundraiser was more successful that we ever imagined. It was just perfect. There is no other way to explain it. We had a wonderful time and the event put us over half way to our fundraising goal. As I said before, the group of people that pulled this off for us are amazing. We couldn't ask for a better support team. Thank you Team MP!!!

On our way home from Carmel Valley. It was a huge success! Great turn out, great hostesses, and great bbq. It surpassed our expectations. More tomorrow!

Team MP Fundraiser - THIS WEEKEND!!

The Carmel Valley fundraiser is upon us. We will head down to Carmel Sunday morning for a fun-filled afternoon of horses, BBQ and silent auctions. Please come if you can, it will be a blast!

Thank you to the Team MP Carlen Fundraiser steering committee: Nancy Bareilles, Julie Culver, Katy Peterson, Ellen Eckstein, Susan Rowland, Susan Baxter, Margaret Robinson, Erin Branson, Elizabeth Pasquinelli, Patsy Schulte. These ladies are AMAZING and really know how to move and shake to make things happen! The US Team Trials are possible because of you!

For more information on the fundraiser, please click here.

Official Website!

It's official! I have a website! Go to http://www.susantreabess.com/ . I will still use the blog to journal our journey to the WEG and beyond, but the website will now house photos, info, etc. It will also house information on the services I will offer as I am making the plunge into the horse training business. Ooo la la. Or as I like to call it, I'm opening a tolerance center for horses and their owners. More on that later....

May 16th - Carmel Valley Fundraiser for Team MP

Mark your calendars! Team MP is hosting a fundraiser at the Carmel Valley Trail and Saddle Club. The even starts at 2:00 and will include demonstrations, including Moneypenny and I riding our freestyle, a BBQ meal and more! I hope you will join us, it should be a terrific event!! Go here for the event flyer and more info. Thank you Team MP!!!!

LubriSyn Sponsored!!!

Its official! I'm a LubriSyn sponsored rider. We have been using LubriSyn as part of Moneypenny's program for three years now. We've been so happy with it that we've put all of our competitive horses on it. Thank you LubriSyn! I'm proud to be part of your team!

YAHOOOOO!!!!!

You can't have a weekend like we just had and have some silly, she-she title to your blog post. YAHOOOOO!!! seems appropriate.

We have returned from the Del mar CPEDI3* and I'm pleased to announce that we did quite well - we swept all three of our classes AND won the overall highpoint. Which means we won a Borne saddle! And earned our certificate of capability AND qualified for National Championships. Not a bad weekend.



We had the entire Team MP support system there: Ellen, Steve, Nancy, Julie, Katy, Mom & Dad as well as Scott and Devon. The two weeks prior to the show I was a mess. A complete and total wreck. Devon wouldn't let me spend too much time around MP as she didn't want me to "rub off" on her. Devon is a good assistant! Luckily we were able to spend a few days of training at Ellen's prior to Del Mar so I was polished leading up to the competition. And Steffen was able to squeeze us into his busy show schedule so we got a little tune up on Thursday after the jog.



There were 8 riders there for the Para division. There were three grade IV's (one with two horses), three grade III's, and a grade II. Two of the grade IV's were non US, one was Canadian, the other Australian. Holly Bergay was there too, but unfortunately had to scratch prior to the jog.


Our panel of judges included two of the judges for the WEG, one of them being the head judge, so the pressure to impress was really on. And I really didn't think I was going to do well. I had gotten a cold on the way to Del Mar and it was in full effect by the jog. I couldn't breath and I was afraid to take anything because of the athlete drug rules. And I couldn't sleep because I couldn't breath, so I was exhausted.



I was quite surprised by our win on Friday. I had received the wrong information about our ride time and we didn't double check the info ourselves so we almost had a tragic chain of events. As we were taking our time getting prepared for the Team Test on Friday, the TD popped by to check in on us. She was chatting away with us and then was bidding us farewell when she said, "see you in a half hour." I said,"What?! I'm supposed to ride at 8:45!" She said, "no, we have you at 8:15." Team MP went into overdrive. Devon braided at lightning speed, Scott groomed, I got dressed and Ellen through herself together (she was still at the hotel). I trotted to the warm up and had about 15 mins before my ride. Not much of a warm up. Ellen had to yell at me from across the ring because we didn't have time to put the head sets on.





As I trotted around the ring for my test, I got really worried. MP was feeling backed off and not warmed up. I put in a solid test, but I didn't think it was good enough. I barely had canter extensions and I didn't have trot extensions. I though I would get a low 60's. And the first report that came in was that I had received a 64.5%. We knew we had our qualifying score, but also knew that that score wouldn't cut it for international competition. Then it turned out we had again received bad info. I had received 645 points, not a 64.5%. So I actually received at 67%!!! That put us in first and was the highest para score for the day. It was a huge relief! And the two WEG judges gave us the highest scores. So we got a neck ribbon, a cooler and got to do a victory dance.

Then the pressure was off. Just like that. My confidence went back up, I was still sick, but I knew we were on the right track. And I knew I could ride the next test better.

The next day brought more exhaustion. I hadn't slept well and I was really sick. But at least we had the right ride time! I had a proper warm up and I felt like the test went well. Two of the judges agreed, the judge at C scored me 5 percentage points lower than the other two and placed me in third. Luckily the other two scores were high enough that I still got a 67% and still won the class. Neck ribbon/victory lap #2 & a basket of Mushroom Matrix! I could get used to this.






Day three brought a wiped out Susan, a wiped out MP and a tired groom. Devon had spent the whole weekend working her tail off, making MP look perfect and networking with all the other world class groom's: Ruben (Debbie McDonald), Fernando (Guenter Siedel), and Rafael (Steffen Peters). They were all showing her the ropes!

But day three was also the fun day - the freestyle! And boy was is a freestyle. I wasn't sure how it went but the crowd seemed pleased, and the judges had big smiles. And the scores reflected that! I received a 72%, and a 76% from the head WEG judge!!!! The weekend was over, it was successful and we could go home! But not yet, we had also won the overall highpoint which earned us the Borne saddle!

Team MP went to celebrate with a slew of photos followed up with Susan, Devon and Scott packing up the trailer and heading off into the sunset! I'll blog next week on whats to come, we ain't done yet!



Team MP

On our way home from Del Mar now. Sat and Sun were as successful as Fri. Team MP won the Individual with another 67 and th freestyle with a 72! More to come...

First scores are up. I won the team test with a 67. MP was a bit backed off but we got our qualifying so tomorrow I will go for it.

New Interview!

I was recently interviewd by the WEG Online Radio Show. You can catch the interview here.

Pictures from last weekend...

MP's assistant, Devon, hard at work!


Centerline - look at that halt!

The Somerset peanut gallery

Amanda & Doni

Verite's first dressage show

Verite hanging out like a show horse

Pam & Dylan

MP working it

The first hal back in the ring

Devon tending to MP

Showing off the sponsor logo

Telling the judge she's "mistaken"