Monday, April 4, 2005

Dressage World Cup League Finals at the Festival of the Horse CDI***-W
by Charlene Strickland

Debbie McDonald and Leslie Morse Set for The World Cup Final in Las Vegas

The first- and second-place finishers in the League Final—McDonald on Brentina and Leslie Morse on Kingston—are confirmed entries for the Dressage World Cup in three weeks. Morse went first in the class, earning a 75.775 on her stallion. “We performed really well today,” she said. “I loved the feeling of the freestyle.”

She rode last on Tip Top, and commented, “The horses went well, and I am really proud of them.” Tip Top was fourth, with 72.95. Morse added, “I'm really excited about going. Everyone I've talked to is so excited about the jumping being mixed with the dressage. For it to be on TV is going to be fabulous!”

Just returned from her trip to Florida shows, she said that both Kingston and Tip Top will have a break before traveling from California to Nevada. Guenter Seidel won third place on Aragon (74.425). Riding Nikolaus 7, he also finished fifth (72.125). USEF will submit him as a third US rider, with Robert Dover as a wild card.

Seidel recently returned from showing in Germany. “It was beneficial for Aragon, because Klaus helped me. The horse got used to the indoor atmosphere. It was good preparation.”