Having spent some time competing at the upper levels of eventing, as well as grooming for one of the top eventers in the world I have some idea what it takes to compete at the highest levels and internationally. I congratulate all the U.S. riders for their heart, their effort, their courage, and their dedication. The resources both financial and personal it takes to compete at this level are immense and sacrifices are made in other areas of ones life. I am in awe and jealous of the experience. I hope that we can all agree that they deserve our respect, support, encouragement, and good wishes. They competed bravely under less than perfect circumstances and although the outcome may not have been what they wished they still did their country, their team, and themselves proud. Competing at any level with horses is one of the most wonderful and frustrating things one can do. All that work can come crashing down because your horse steps on a stone wrong or kicks his stall door too hard. Months of training and hope can come to an end for the smallest of reasons. This can be particularly heart breaking at the upper levels where your life is taken over by the preperation for an event and you have traveled overseas to test yourself and your horse. Upper level competitors walk a fine line to keep their horses in the form it takes and competitors in all disciplines know the disappointment of small problems ending your participation early. We started six horses and two finished in good standing. The rest are healthy and will come back to compete again...this is success in itself. It is okay to have no urge to compete at this level, but we should all respect the people who choose to do so. Until one trys it it is hard to comprehend the sacrifices it takes. It is not for everyone, but for the team that spent immense resources and love getting themselves and their mounts to Malaysia...I applaud you! Come home safely!!
Juli Jakub
I've spent most of my life riding horses. The rest I've just wasted.
~Anonymous
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