“The situation, for me, got a little first, I am so mixed up with the ex-
better right after fence #4 with Cal- citement of the win, it’s a little dif-
lie’s horse Zorro. I felt the horse re- ficult right now.”
spond to my ride and it got better Dick Carvin, Richards trainer add-
and took some of the nerves off. I ed, “This was a freak thing this year.
think I really knew I had a chance It shows how much can happen at
when I got on Karl’s horse, gave it any time in the show ring. This Fi-
a pat, felt him relax and had a great nal Four is a super class at this level,
trip. I knew on the way to the last even though there can be problems.
vertical, riding Fernando’s horse, But at the 1.40 meter it is a great test,
that I had won.” and the riders should be ready. In this
“At the warm up area, I looked situation it was not a matter of the
Larina in the eye and had a roller- different riders, Richard knows the
coaster of emotions as I knew I had horse and he made a mistake, that is
won at that point, but she was obvi- all. It happens to everyone and the
ously confused. I wondered if it was luck of the draw was it happened to
all worth it.”
“Would I do it all again?
That is a good question. the other three horses to clear
The way I feel right now, rounds so he definitely deserved
I’m not sure what I would to be the winner. THAT is horse
do,” said Richard in a candid showing!”
moment. “It all went so well “We will turn her out for a
last year, and I love the class week at John Andersons’ and let
and the format. I have to her just forget all of it. Get her
get away from it a little and off the property and onto a big
really sort out how I feel. grass field and she will be just
It is a great competition, fine. Mares are fragile but they
but as in all of these sports, also bond and she loves Richard.
things go wrong sometimes. We will bring her back in then
I want to get past the feel- and get ready for Young Riders.
ing bad about my horse She is a great show horse and
will, we believe, be fine!”
This sport is a wonderful com-
petitive opportunity, but at times,
him today.” things happen. Richard was incred-
“It just all went wrong at a bad ibly candid, open and honest about
time, you really never ever know how the situation and the class, and ex-
these things will end up until they are cited he had won. Dick has a way of
over, just like all show jumping com- putting things in simple sport per-
petitions,” he went on. “His mistake spective and balance. Between the
cost all four of the riders so in the two of them and this horse, Young
end it was basically the throw away Riders will be the next test and one
score for everyone. Richard stepped that will be interesting to follow, to
up and was the only rider to ride all say the least.
Opposite Page: Richard Neal is all smiles during his Victory Gallop.
This Page Top to Bottom: Larina and Richard; Karl Cook, finishing 2nd;
from left to right - Karl Cook(Silver), Richard Neal(Gold) & Fernando
Beltranena (Bronze) on the winners podium.
Photos © Kathy Hobstetter
15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84