Canadian reiner, Cody Sapergia of Lermoos, AUT and Nu Chexomatic (Nu Chex To Cash X Tejons Peppy Doc) earn their highest score at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, with 223.5, which kept them in the medals for the majority of the Finals.
The Saskatchewan native had the crowd cheering and whistling as he and Nu Chexomatic, a seven-year-old Quarter Horse stallion owned by Tina Künstner-Mantl and Jac Point Quarters, galloped into the arena, coming to a flying stop. After backing up to the centre, they started their powerful spins to the right then left. Showing off the horse, Sapergia continued on to perform his circles. It was during his right large circle that the horse dropped his lead, picking up a penalty. Then they came down the long side to a high-quality sliding stop, receiving a +1 score for the manoeuvre. Without any hesitation, they rolled back to do another +1 stop on the other side of the arena. Completing the pattern, they loped back around and picked up speed for one last impressive stop that brought the excited spectators to their feet. Earning a remarkable score of 223.5, Sapergia and Nu Chexomatic finished tied for sixth.
Fresh from the ring, Sapergia stated, “He was feeling good in preparation for the Finals, and all I could hope for was that he stayed with me. Pattern 10 in the Finals – with a run-in to a stop, the spins, and circles to the right – this was all in my favour. He slowed down very nicely for me and the lead changes were nice. The last three stops were about as good as I’ve had with him, which made me really happy.”
Sapergia continued, “Being drawn second coming into the Finals is not the best position, but my horse was good and I’m satisfied. Top 10 in the world is very nice, but it’s not top three – that’s just my competitor’s attitude. He’s a great horse and the owners are happy. We are going to work hard for the next four years and see if we can improve our standings next time. I had a lot of fun and I am happy that I could show him to his best ability.”
Impressed with his run, the team coach, Francois Gauthier, commented, “The horse did very well, he had amazing stops. You know, it’s a lot of pressure going second in the pen, Cody showed him very well.”
“He did a really, really good job. That is what we were expecting from the start and the type of run we’ve known he could do. So we are really very happy,” said Chef d’Equipe Lyne Laforme. “If he hadn’t popped out his lead he would have had another few points, but we are truly pleased with his score of 223.5. It was all really amazing. His stops were a plus one, a plus half on both spins, and also on the circles. We can’t ask for anything more. He is finishing on the horse and run that he deserved to do in front of the crowd.”
The Americans swept the board, taking all three medals.
The Reining Finals were judged by a panel of FEI 4*-level judges: Pierre Ouellet (ITA), Rick LeMay (SWE), Sylvia Katschker (AUT), Rick Weaver (USA) and Maik Bartmann (GER).
For complete results from the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 check out www.normandy2014.com.
Get more information on the Canadian Equestrian Team at www.equinecanada.ca/cet.
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