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April1, 2007

Shell Shocked Emotion

For both King and Peters, earning the trip to the World Cup with their older partners was especially emotional.

“Someone said I looked shell-shocked and I think that was pretty accurate,” King said. “My goal this year was to make the League Finals. I thought that was a good goal and I was really happy to make that. I was not expecting to make the World Cup.”

She said that every day spent with Idocus is special, regardless of the ride. “When it’s going badly, it’s still a blessing and when it’s going well, it’s just really, really emotional for me. I do think about when it will be time to retire him,” she said. “But right now he’s so happy and ready to work.”

Credit: Astrid Appels for PhelpsPhoto, Courtney King and Idocus at Dressage at Devon 2006

Peters said he’s not alone in feeling a bit emotional over winning a spot on the U.S. World Cup team. “This has been very emotional for our whole team, because after the World Games, Floriano came home and the first month he felt really great.”

But soon after, the gelding began showing problems in one of his hind legs. The cause was a small tear in his suspensory, which was treated with an injection of stem cells. Floriano then had several months off. “At that time, we didn’t know if Floriano would come back and I had decided I would not compete him again if he wasn’t ready. My date for putting him back to work and giving him a chance for this competition was February 15,” Peters said. Hence, on February 15, Floriano went back to work. His full recovery was evident not only in his ride but in the phenomenal airs-above-the-ground he showed spectators during his victory gallop.

Courtney King and Idocus Share the winners' circle with Steffen Peters and Floriano-photo by Lynndee Kemmet