By Mim Coleman

Warning this is a long report so sit down grab that cup of tea and join me on a great FEI World Cup Final ride.

The morning started with us waiting in line for breakfast standing behind CARL HESTER. Too dumbfounded and star struck to move we whisper to our hubbies its "Carl Hester omg its Carl Hester!" The Owls ( husbands ) responded "who? Who? Who? " Before we could blink he was gone it would seem the line was a fraction too long for him. Beating ourselves up for the lost opportunity we vowed to be braver next time.

Well we were blessed with the beautiful and gracious Isablle Wirth sitting right beside us on the complementary coach to the venue. Belinda bless her, grabbed her program and I thrust my ticket book at her and she meekly asked for an autograph and YES we have her autograph - woo hoo.

On the way out we wished her good luck and said we had come from Tasmania to watch her. With a surprised expression she say "wow that is a long way" . A breath and then a little internal squeal of excitement and this is only the start of the day.

 
The World Cup Gift show was packed!

In the door and to the Gift Show, that's what the trade area is called here. My husband has always said I was gifted. So in we dive with 1000's of other gifted woman. Crazy crazy crazy. Now I have been to WEG, World Cup Finals in Den Bosch, Equitana many times and none can match the squeeze as everyone attempts to
a) find bargain
B) find their size
C) find their colour

The lines at the trade stand are 30 deep so I'm very chuffed with my early purchase.

B has the Kep brochure - stunning helmets that can be tailored to suit every design requirement.

The online dressage training booth is fascinating. The full size mechanical horse with sensors to detect your seat and leg position to see how "correct" or not your are as it moves into walk trot and canter. You have a virtual arena on screens in front of you to simulate an arena experience. If only we had more time ......

It's 11.51 and the warmup horse has been in the arena with commentary by Axel Steiner.

The music and announcement is deafening! No quiet classical music today. It's a full on Vegas experience. Spectators are streaming in, the excitement is palpable. Flashing lights, loud music, advertising on the centre display. I should have packed ear plugs!

The stage is in place for what we assume will be for the national anthem. Yes here we go folks. A beautiful western horse with the rider holding the American flag stands to attention as we listen to the anthem. Next - Here's Elvis with flames, dancing girls and laser lights. After an outrageous medley, it is announced that Elvis has left the building.

Now the Road to FEI World Cup presentation. For inspiration - oh oh starting to choke up oh gosh are they tears? I haven't even seen a horse yet! I will be seeing 18 today -  eeeeeeek!

Many of you will have watched the tests on live streaming with commentary so I won't bore you too much with what I see.

Our first combination Inessa Merkulova and Mister X - enters the arena and we hear the bell . Silence. Finally. Camera shutters flutter. They are on the world stage giving their very best. Elegantly turned out, a kind combination. I can only imagine actually, no I can't imagine, how it must feel to be in that arena.

Respect - no matter how good or great you think the test is in your opinion, I have infinite respect for those who choose to ride at this extreme level. What we all love about this sport is that every moment in the saddle will be different as our equine partner is no mechanical machine it's blood, flesh and instinct. So be gracious when you see a less than perfect rein back or half pass. We don't know their story nor their point on their journey. Be gracious and show compassion  as we all strive for the same thing. Perfection in a halt,  perfection in a 20 metre circle, perfection in a pirouette. Ok I'm off my soapbox now.

Hmmm no running scores, that instant feedback is great for the spectator but I like the suspense too.

A great final centre line Mister X  and halt the crowd erupts. The scores are announced a 70+ test - week done 71.343%

Tehri Stegars Axis TSF - from Finland a stylish combination that have a great partnership. 69.9% well done
Fabienne Lutkemeier on Qui Vincit Dynamis  - the first of the German riders at 26 years of age a team gold medalist - impressive achievement. She has a great pedigree and a score of 70.857%

The crowd cheers as the darling of USA dressage enters the arena. Laura Graves and Verdades. Verdades sees the trophy and has a quick peek and a slight hesitation or was it the horse eating plant?  But no big deal. I love the pat on the neck after the lovely sequence of ones - clean straight smooth, good boy. The passage must feel amazing, a final halt and salute and the crowd goes wild. Ranked number 10 in the world! Wow we are really being spoilt. Lauren is still on her horse waiting patiently for her score to be announce the big bay walks calmly,
A score of 74.286! Woo hoo!

Next, Malin Hamilton on Fleetwood, the bell sounds and the countdown clock commences. They are on their way to ride their hearts out. The perform with great purpose Fleetwood showing personality through his desire to express his riders wishes.  Well done! One of the great names that we always read about. Score 68.029%.

The next horse is in making the use of the wait time for Malin's score..  Morgan   on  Painted Black. A forward thinking horse with good ground cover, his four white socks dance around the arena.  Another pat after the 15 ones, well deserved too.  The youngest competitor at 23 years of age! What a wonderful school master. An interesting piece of info, she trains with her coach via webcam she is in Switzerland and the coach in Denmark a great score of 73.786!  What a buzz for this star.

Paulinda  Friberg Di Lapponia T - another elegant combination. Everything is on the money, the beautiful mare's ears are relaxed and listening to her rider who is matching her willingness with all of her ability. Quiet soft seat, hands the aids almost indiscernible. Working in harmony and lovely to watch. We giggle at the little Hic in the final centre line, the mare giving more than required. The final halt and she stands like a rock as the crowd shows their appreciation. Paulinda started as a show jumper. Score 72.686! Fantastic!

Tatiana Dorofeeva - the big chestnut neighs as the bell rings. In they go. A lovely big horse with great scope. The rider thrilled with her horse as she waves to the crowd at the end. 67.043%

Agnete Kirk Thinggaard Jojo AZ - join us on the arena. A few little hiccups perhaps not their day. Scores a respectable 67.986%

We have now worked out that the announcer introduces each combination in their native language - talented linguist indeed. 

Omg it's VALEGRO! Ok tears here they come! No words, I am overwhelmed. Just like Sydney Olympics with Fahbenfroh, Blue Hors Matinne at WEG and Totillas at the FEI World Cup final in Den Bosch. Life changing moments and I witnessed them all with great emotion. My heroes. They are a picture of grace elegant harmony. The wait for the score is unbearable.
85.529!!! Wow, wow, wow!
 

Charlotte and Valegro are simply breathtaking

Their performance gave everyone goosbumps

We watch Lars Petersen and Mariett who will have to ride without a thought to the fact they just followed the defending champion. Score 69.314% well done.

Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glocks Flirt - oh gosh this I want to see! The passage to walk is breathtaking.  Passage to piaffe and out, yes please. Incredible display of professionalism. I am in love. Another one to fit in the suitcase. 73.657%

Isabelle Werth on El Santo NRW - a powerful display of ownership of the arena. Even with Isabelle's incredible pedigree, not everything will always go to plan. The piaffe and passage are better on the centre line, Isabelle made sure of that. This her 14th WC final and 8 Olympic gold medals. Gobsmacked! 72.843%

Steffen Peters and Legolas, another amazing class act! Enters on a loose rein for the pre-start.  Oh wow that piaffe! Legolas just asks, how much do you want? Another display of thanks as Steffens gives the big bay a pat. Everyone puts everything on the line for the final centre line, their last chance to show the judges what they can do! The crowd goes nuts and up they stand to their local hero - great to experience. 76.871! And a big thumbs up from Steffen, nice work!

Edward Gal enters the arena and my heart is in my mouth. I have goose bumps I cannot begin to express what this rider means to me. Such control, the music resonates an anticipation of what is to come. Each controlled note is reflected in each stride. A metronome of beauty. On the edge of sublimity. Preparation makes perfection. The hush in the crowd as the music washes over them, relaxation and their eyes drawn to the glittering spectacle below. Halt salute. Exhale - breathe - cry - stand - applaud. Repeat.  Score 79.057%! We will see them on Saturday - hooray.

Jessica Von Bredow Werndl and Unee BB - B for beautiful . More wow moments, I don't know if I can take much more. A pumped Jessica and rightly so! Speechless again. Score 74.871%

That's the competition done, the lights lower for a wild mustang makeover. We have gun smoke, spinning, I'm dizzy. The horse is lying down and he shoots a shot gun the horse doesn't flinch. Then they get into a car and drive off the arena - is this for real???

The western perofrmance after the final

I've just realised I didn't get a photo of Edward Gal.

It's presentation time - wheeeeeeeeee!

Whilst they set up, we are entertained with Kiss Cam - hilarious!

Standing ovations for the lap of honour. Wow, wow, wow, the thrum of the crowd is wonderful.

Apologies for the length of this report.  I so wanted to share with all of you this experience. Promise yourself that one day you will go to an FEI World Cup Final you will never regret it.

By for now I'm going to try and calm down by the pool. I hope you enjoyed the ride!
 

The presentation!

Mim with the Ringmaster Pedro