The statement is surprisingly bold, considering her age and stature.

It is fueled by the same self-assuredness with which Reed Kessler guides her horse over fences taller than she is.

“I’d kill for it. I certainly hope I get to go and whip all those Germans butts,” Kessler says about the prospect of winning the chance to compete next month in the EY Cup finals in Leipzig, Germany.

Kessler, 16, of Armonk, N.Y., is part of the refreshing new wave of riders competing in the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. She takes a solid lead into Sunday’s finale of the Artisan Farms Young Riders Series.

The WEF launches the season for many of the world’s best riders, and this year has made a priority of boosting equestrian’s Generation Next with four grand prix events for riders under 25.

The top three in the final series standings will qualify for the EY Cup, to be contested during the World Cup Finals. Kessler is determined to nail down the prize as high-point rider, which covers travel expenses to Germany.

“This is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to be an international rider, I want to compete for the U.S.,” Kessler says. “I’ve shown in Europe multiple times. There’s no better feeling in the world than when you win a class and they raise the flag and play the anthem.”

Consider the contrast to the path veteran U.S. team rider Laura Kraut followed to the top of the sport. Kraut, of Wellington, had never been in international competition before going to the Barcelona Olympics as an alternate in 1992.

“I had to get a passport to go to the Olympics. It’s a whole different ball game now, but it’s great. What an opportunity to start at this age,” Kraut said.

Kraut, a member of the U.S. gold-medal team at the Beijing Olympics, is doing her part to nurture the line of succession. She coaches several of the promising young riders, including Catherine Pasmore, who started at age 6 under Kraut’s sister, Mary Elizabeth Kent.

Pasmore won the second grand prix of the WEF Challenge Cup Series in January, besting a field of veterans; runner-up was Eric Lamaze, reigning Olympic champion. She is a sponge for all the knowledge Kraut can impart, particularly before competition.

“It’s very specific. You always know what your plan is,” said Pasmore, who will ride for the University of South Carolina next fall. “She’s so definite about it, she instills confidence in you.”

Kraut recently began coaching Jessica Springsteen. The daughter of rocker Bruce Springsteen was ineligible for this series because she had competed in a five-star grand prix. But last year Springsteen placed first and second in one of the WEF young riders events aboard different horses. She has Olympic aspirations.

“She’s a beautiful rider,” Kraut said. “We’re planning to go to Europe and compete over there and get her that experience.

“I really enjoy helping kids at this level who are motivated to compete nationally and internationally. This is sort of a stepping stone.”

Source: Sun Sentinel