Whether there is truth to superstitions, many athletes have them and equestrian athletes are no exception. The U.S. athletes at the FEI World Cup™? Finals have various ideas about getting luck on their side. Read on to find out whose superstitions involve boots, back numbers, and more: Kasey Perry-Glass, dressage “I don’t have superstitions. I try to work on my preparation throughout the day so I don’t get as stressed, nervous, or anxious. I try to stay as calm as I can and not get worried for Dublet.” Laura Graves, dressage "I’m not superstitious, but my coach [Debbie McDonald] is. If I am feeling a little bit lucky about something, I do not say it out loud. There was a year she made me wear this bracelet that I absolutely hated because she swore it was lucky. Then I didn’t have a great ride, and told her it wasn’t the bracelet and took it off." Laura Kraut, show jumping “I try not to have any superstitions at all. When I was young, I had to do a certain number of braids. As I got older, I started to let superstitions go.” Todd Minikus, show jumping “I always wear the back number on my back. Everyone else puts it on the saddle pad. I’m probably going to be the one rider at World Cup Finals with the back number on my back.” McLain Ward, show jumping “I have a lot of superstitions. I always put my left boot on first. I use a new safety pin on my tie every time I compete in a big class and throw it away;I figure it is out of luck if it is good or bad luck if it’s bad.”
Whether there is truth to superstitions, many athletes have them and equestrian athletes are no exception. The U.S. athletes at the FEI World Cup™? Finals have various ideas about getting luck on their side. Read on to find out whose superstitions involve boots, back numbers, and more: Kasey Perry-Glass, dressage “I don’t have superstitions. I try to work on my preparation throughout the day so I don’t get as stressed, nervous, or anxious. I try to stay as calm as I can and not get worried for Dublet.” Laura Graves, dressage "I’m not superstitious, but my coach [Debbie McDonald] is. If I am feeling a little bit lucky about something, I do not say it out loud. There was a year she made me wear this bracelet that I absolutely hated because she swore it was lucky. Then I didn’t have a great ride, and told her it wasn’t the bracelet and took it off." Laura Kraut, show jumping “I try not to have any superstitions at all. When I was young, I had to do a certain number of braids. As I got older, I started to let superstitions go.” Todd Minikus, show jumping “I always wear the back number on my back. Everyone else puts it on the saddle pad. I’m probably going to be the one rider at World Cup Finals with the back number on my back.” McLain Ward, show jumping “I have a lot of superstitions. I always put my left boot on first. I use a new safety pin on my tie every time I compete in a big class and throw it away;I figure it is out of luck if it is good or bad luck if it’s bad.”