Friday January 28, 2005

Gold Coast Opener CDI, a First Class Show

The Rule

Check your whips at the gate or forever hold your peace.  As of January, 2005, CDI competitors must make the decision to whip or not to whip before leaving the stabling area.  The rule also prohibits any helpers from accepting discarded whips from riders. In other words, CDI competitors are the only whip handlers from the barn to the gate. 

Don't you dare carry the paraphernalia around the outside of the arena, either!  Such was the lesson for Leslie Morse, a top competitor from California, Leslie Morse. In transition from travelling across the country Leslie missed the vital e-mail with the CDI rule change.  Certainly, being informed about the new rule during her final preparations for her CDI class was a surprisingly inopportune moment! 

Undaunted by the deviation, Leslie went on to win the Grand Prix Special with Kingston, her 14 yr. old Dutch stallion. She also accomplished a 2nd place in the Grand Prix, with Tip Top, an 11 yr. old Swedish Warmblood by Master.

"I'm very proud of my horses, they haven't shown in 6 months and flew into Wellington just 5 days before the show." said Morse."It's great just to be back in the ring. Honestly I'm just happy to be here in Wellington."