The most elite reiners in the world are in Denver, CO, preparing to compete in the FEI World Reining Masters Finals tonight at the National Western Complex. Riders from 18 different countries around the globe have qualified to compete for $100,000 in prize money. While many say it’s an honor to represent their country in the prestigious competition, just a few are actually riding their own horses.
With reiners traveling from countries like Dominican Republic, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium and Israel, they say it’s too expensive to transport their horses overseas. German reiner Nicolas Hormann says, “It’s very expensive to bring a horse over here maybe 10,000 euros($12,611 USD). Too expensive for us now.” He says it can also be very hard on the horses’ health. That’s why most of the competitors have turned to top trainers in the United States to borrow a horse to ride.
It’s a quick getting to know you period for both horse and rider. With just 2 days before the Masters Finals, Thursday many of the international competitors rode their “borrowed” horses for the very first time. Rick LeMay from Sweden is riding the same horse Aaron Ralston competed with during the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. LeMay jokes, “I am just doing what he (Ralston) tells me and trying not to mess the horse up very much before the show starts.” LeMay says he doesn’t think the international riders are at a disadvantage having never ridden their horses before. “I think it’s pretty fair though because I think 90 percent of the riders are in the same boat. I rode my horse yesterday for the first time and he’s really a gentleman and just a kind horse to be around. I think it’s going to be a fantastic deal.” Belgium rider Bernard Fonck feels sometimes they take a chance by riding other horses. “It’s a little bit of a gamble, I have a good horse but I’ve ridden him for only three days. It’s really a short time before the Finals.”
Klara Salkova is one of three women competing in the Masters Finals. She traveled from the Czech Republic ten days ago. She spent the first week in Arizona training with top reiner Matt Mills. When asked what she thought of being considered one of the most elite reiners in the world, Salkova smiled and seemed almost embarrassed. “I think there are better reiners than me, but I am happy that I can compete against them.” The same sentiment came from France’s Eric Laporte. He now lives in North Carolina and trains with Brian Bell. Laporte says, “I don’t consider myself at all one of the best riders. I just have the chance to be here and compete with the best.” Unlike his international competitors, Laporte says he’s lucky he is able to ride the horse he trains with every day.”
Tom McCutcheon is representing the United States in his first Masters Finals. McCutcheon brought his horse Smartest Chic Olena out of retirement to compete after three years off. “I’m excited about how he is. He’s had a lot of time off so I’m excited about how he’s going to be.” McCutcheon says, “There are only two guys representing the United States and it’s an honor to be of them.” He’s not the only one, all of the international competitors say they feel honored to represent their individual countries in the FEI World Reining Masters Finals.
