In March 2020, the world temporarily shut down, leading to chaos, cancelations, events postponed and tragedy for some families. However, for a not yet formed team it was the spark that was to ignite the engine of unbelievable success on the world stage.
Here is the story of the underdog team that achieved International Top Honours.
The International Saddle Seat Equitation Association (ISSEA) holds two international events every other year, The Invitational Test Event and ISSEA World Cup of Saddle Seat Equitation. The World Cup is hosted by alternating years between South Africa and the United States of America.
The ISSEA events are unique and challenging for the riders as they must compete on no less than two different horses that they are not familiar with. Each rider is scored as they compete on the rail in a group setting and then they are scored on elements of an individual test. The riders have only a 20-minute practice on each of their horses, ahead of competition day to familiarize themselves with their mount.
Teams compete for the coveted three-gaited World Cup trophy in front of three international saddle seat judges, on horse breeds that show at the walk, trot and canter such as American Saddlebreds, Morgans, Arabians, Half-Arabians and Friesians. The five-gaited competition is similar to the 3 gaited competition, but all the horses ridden are American Saddlebreds that also show at the slow-gait and rack.
Photo Credit: Jessica Pallisaro, Assistant Coach
The 2020 World Cup was to have been hosted by South Africa in July of that year. The Canadian team selection had been completed, our Canadian team announced, fundraising efforts were underway, as were travel arrangements and everything else associated with getting a national team ready to travel overseas then COVID-19 restrictions began. The dreams of international travel shut down, along with the World.
Fast forward to the fall of 2021, as talks resumed regarding the possibility of a World Cup 2022. After comprehensive discussions on the executive level, it was determined that the USA would host the 2022 World Cup competition for July 2022. With such short notice, Canada’s 2020 named team was contacted for their availability. The majority were unable to commit on such short notice. The board and coaching staff of Saddleseat Canada (SSC) did not feel there was enough time to properly scout for additional team members for both a three gaited and five gaited team for this level. Other countries were in the similar situation. The decision was made to combine teams. The result was an inaugural formation of an ‘international’ team.
Both the USA and The Republic of South Africa have a considerably larger pool of rider candidates from which to select for their respective teams. Saddle Seat is gaining popularity here in Canada but we still are in the infancy stages of rider development, as is countries such as Namibia.
The newly formed team, combination looked like this:
2- Three gaited riders from Canada
1-five gaited rider from USA
1-five gaited rider from The Republic of South Africa
1-rider from The Republic of South Africa that rode both the three and five gaited divisions
3-riders from Namibia that rode both the three and five gaited teams
8 riders in total
The 2022 World Cup competition was held at the Mercer County Fair and Horse show in Harrodsburg, Kentucky from July 25-29, 2022. The teams were all housed at the historical Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Harrodsburg, KY.
Photo Credit: Jessica Pallisaro, Assistant Coach
Monday evening, the draw for horses and order off go for riders’ individual tests were held. The draws took place at Shaker Village in a tobacco barn. With the feel of a pro team draft event, each rider drew for their riding position their group and 2 horses. Followed by a lovely light supper and of course socializing with old friends and meeting new ones.
While the riders were mingling, the coaches and managers from all the teams were already hard at work matching horse’s profiles and riders for each of the two days of competition that lay ahead.
Tuesday morning bright and early was each team’s opportunity to walk the test pattern as well as their scheduled practise time. Each team had 20 minutes to get on their drawn horse selection and ride. Coaches can assess combinations and make rider/horse changes as necessary. However, once a horse and rider combination are determined, it must be submitted to the officials and is final.
Wednesday was the practice day for the second round of competition, with the second pool of horses and walking the second test pattern in the arena. Both practice days were pouring rain. Two inches of standing water in the arena. Muddy horses and equipment, umbrellas and rain gear were the order of both days. However, even the soggy weather did not dampen the mood of our International Team.
Photo Credit: Jessica Pallisaro, Assistant Coach
Competition days were high energy back in the stabling area. It takes an unbelievable amount of backstage effort to get horses and equipment organized and ready for the riders. Each horse came with their own bridle and special equipment, but each rider brought their own saddles. Cascade Stables of New Orleans, LA and William Woods University, Fulton, MO among other private supporters, supplied, shipped and readied the horses for each rider. No small undertaking!
Wednesday was the start of competition. Both the 3-gaited and 5-gaited competitions had riders divided into 2 groups competing against each other for top scores on the rail as well as the individual tests. With the announcement for “riders up”, 3-gaited group A had 5 minutes of warm up for the riders before they were called to the ring for the start of the rail component of the competition. After the rail work was complete, the riders were dismissed from the ring to then return on their drawn order of go for the pattern. This was repeated for group B and the same format again for Group A and B from the Five gaited division.
Thursday was a repeat of the previous day’s format, but with the riders competing on the second pool of horses. After two days of intense competition, scores were tabulated and teams gathered for the closing ceremonies on the Friday evening.
The World Cup 3 gaited medal standings were the first announced with Team South Africa earning bronze. All members of the 3 gaited International team were thrilled and honoured to be announced as the silver medal team! This team made up of riders, coaches and managers who had met only a few days previous and who called four different nations home! The very talented Team USA squad was named as 2022 World Cup 3 gaited champions taking home the division’s coveted trophy and gold medal.
Photo Credit: Jessica Pallisaro, Assistant Coach
Next up was the 5 gaited team medal presentations. Receiving bronze was Team USA. Then as silver was awarded to South Africa, the International 5 gaited team realized we had just pulled off the unthinkable winning the 5 gaited gold medal and taking home the 5 gaited World Cup trophy!
The underdog group of almost strangers came together as a cohesive team to achieve lofty goals. Silver in the 3 gaited competition and Gold in the 5 gaited competition. There is no greater feeling than of standing on the podium, bowing your head to receive your medal and fighting teas as your nation’s anthem is played.
The underdog team proved at that moment that hard work, team effort can and does pay off.
Memories to last a lifetime were made during the week of the 2022 World Cup Competitions and many goals achieved. In the process of all this, perhaps even more young riders are inspired to dream big and work hard to realize their goals that week.
The 2022 INTERNATIONAL TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE:
SILVER MEDAL 3 – GAITED TEAM;
Isabella Wallin, Canada
Taylor Lunny, Canada
Caroline Neumann, Namibia
Ariane Neummann, Namibia
Daniela Karsten, South Africa
Zonika Cilliers, Namibia
GOLD MEDAL 5 GAITED TEAM;
Laney Lonchar – USA
Willie De Jager, South Africa
Daniella Karsten, South Africa
Zonika Cilliers, Namibia
Caroline Neumann – Namibia
Ariene Neumann – Namibia
COACHING STAFF:
Head Coach – Jessica Moctezuma, USA
Assistant Coach – Jessica Pelissero, Canada
Assistant Coach – Sandra Fenstad – Sanche, Canada
CO-MANAGERS:
Raylene McWade, Canada
Nico Badenhorst, Namibia
If you would like more information about Saddle Seat riding, or how to get involved with the team selection process, please contact Saddle Seat Canada at: admin@saddleseatcanada.com Or team manager, Raylene McWade: rmcwade@xplornet.com