Did you miss any of the 2023 FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha? We’ve got you covered. From daily recaps by USDF Connection editor Jennifer Bryant, to exclusive behind-the-scenes photo galleries, and our list of most memorable moments from the competition, this is your one-stop-shop for all things World Cup!
Day One: All Warmed up and Ready to Go in Omaha
Welcome to Omaha, Nebraska, the host city of the 2023 FEI World Cup Finals! Riders and horses from all over the world have converged on the Midwest to compete, with Jessica von Bredow-Werndl back to defend her title just 8 months after giving birth to her daughter. The US will be represented by Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper, Anna Buffini and FRH Davinia la Douce, and Alice Tarjan and Serenade MF The first day of the featured the familiarization portion for the dressage horses who will be competing this week. This day gives the riders and their horses a chance to train in the competition arena and get familiar with the set up for the show. The day was capped off with the jog. Check out the full recap here.
Day Two: Where the Real Action Happens
What do students of dressage prefer to watch during a top competition? The warmup, of course! Go ringside at the FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in Omaha, with a front row view of what it’s like to see these athletes up close and personal as they get ready to dance down centerline. See which horses were raring to go, exclusive videos, and how even 5-time Olympians check to make sure their halts are square. Check out the Day 2 recap here.
Day Three: The Other Side of the FEI World Cup Finals
A large crowd gathered at the Demo Arena in Omaha’s CHI Health Center this afternoon for a demonstration of upper-level dressage movements. It was one of the 15 or so daily exhibitions spotlighting all manner of horse breeds and equestrian disciplines during the FEI World Cup Finals Omaha 2023—and it, along with the trade fair, was free and open to the public. Check out the action from Day 3 here.
Day Four: Should Dalera Win the World Cup Dressage Final for the Second Year in a Row? Mais Oui!
After a few last minute withdraws, 13 horse and rider combinations were set for the main event at the FEI World Cup Dressage Final Omaha – the Grand Prix Freestyle! Jessica von Bredow-Werndl was back to defend her championship aboard super mare TSF Dalera BB, but had many tough contenders to face including Germany’s Isabell Werth, Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald, and a trio of US riders: Steffen Peters, Anna Buffini, and Alice Tarjan. After a night packed with memorable freestyles, read the full recap of the final day of dressage here.
Photo Gallery – USDF Leadership in Action
If you were at the FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha, or if you watched any of it via livestream, you were likely to see some familiar faces from USDF. Across the showgrounds, past and present members of the USDF Executive Board and others in leadership positions with our organization were busy working or volunteering to make the show run smoothly. Doing everything from scribing, to working as show secretary, assisting the Judges Supervisory Panel (JSP), and to our organization’s past President, Lisa Gorretta, serving as Chief Steward for Dressage, Chelsey Burris captured this full gallery of these folks in action.
Photo Gallery – Sights from the FEI World Cup
The competition in Omaha was exciting, from getting to see the horses and riders up close during schooling and familiarization, to the thrilling Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle championships. However, there was much more to World Cup than the competition itself. Each day, interesting demonstrations and exhibitions were held in the demo arena, showcasing horses of a variety of breeds and disciplines. There was also a bustling and busy trade fair, filled with unique items. Go behind-the-scenes with us all over the showgrounds, from the competition ring to the demonstration ring and everywhere in between, in this photo gallery!
Unforgettable Moments from the FEI World Cup Finals
No recap would be complete without our countdown! Wrapping up the exciting week featuring the world’s best dressage, jumping, and vaulting athletes, here are 10 memorable moments that we are sure to be talking about for years to come! Read it here.
Thank you for joining us for our coverage from Omaha! What was your favorite moment at the 2023 FEI World Cup? Let us know in the comments below.
