Final Farewell AQHA Youth World Cup Blog- 2 More Gold, 3 More Silver, 2 Bronze For Team USA!
Day 10:
The final day has come to a close, and I won’t deny the group hugs and tears that were shed. With the morning starting out a little rocky for the US, we all wondered if our luck had run out. But like always, Team USA came back with a vengeance.
- Placing 6th in Hunter Under Saddle
- Sweeping the top three in Equitation
- Placing 1st and 3rd in Horsemanship
- With a final finish of 4th in Ranch Riding!
When the sun set and all was said and done, we said a heartfelt goodbye to our horses.
- Triandibo Superabundance aka “Bundy”
- Sweet Style aka “Chance”
- Kool Tomcat aka “Tuffy”
- QXH Ima Lil Tiger aka “Harvey”
- Poco Blue Flame aka “Buffy”
The friends we’ve made and the small family we’ve created in Australia will never be forgotten. I can’t help but feel an ache in my chest as I realize I’ll never get another time like this to be with this group of 10 people that I like to call family.
I have made lifelong memories that I will cherish forever. The long nights, good luck dance parties, and fun times together will be remembered as some of the best times of my life.
To Team USA: I can’t imagine another group of people to share this moment with. This blog feels short to me, but I find myself choked up and the words running dry. I’m not sure if it’s the excitement or if it’s because it’s over, but I’ll never forget this experience! And I will certainly never forget my three amigos whom I call more than friends.
Goodbye AELEC. Goodbye World Cup. I won’t say goodbye to my friends, because I know I will see you again.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
Day 9:
EC Blog by: Team USA member Ellexxah Maxwell
Team USA isn’t slowing down, even though there weren’t as many classes today. The morning started early with the Trail competition with riders Hayley Riddle and Ellexxah Maxwell placing in the top five!
Hayley Riddle- 2nd with Kool Tomcat
Ellexxah Maxwell- 4th with Triandibo Superabundance
Then, the afternoon started with a Reining clinic, which allowed all 13 riders to get a turn on their horses before Show A started. The action kept rolling into Show A’s Reining with rider Brock Murphy drawing first on OP Whizzel Do to mark a 68.5 for a third place finish! Congrats to Haley Franc from Canada on second place. Also, congrats to Lana Kelderman on her first place win for Australia!
We took a quick break and then it was on to Show B with Brock Murphy scoring a 72 on OP Smokey Whizz for a silver finish for the U.S.
All the team members kept us afloat today! We hope to continue our streak for tomorrow during the final day of competition!
Tune in to cheer on the U.S. on the live feed!
