Kelsey Thatcher had a fantastic weekend competing in Valencia, Spain, with Pony Lane Farm stallions Klotaire Du Moulin and Milous De Fontaine. Traveling through Europe along with the Global Champions Tour, Thatcher showed three days at the Gran Premio de Espana CSI** in Valencia on May 7-9, 2010. This was Thatcher's first time competing overseas, and she rode both of her horses to top finishes throughout the weekend.

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Thatcher showed both Klotaire Du Moulin and Milous De Fontaine in Table A, timed first round classes. Both horses showed their agility and speed as they jumped clear and fast against top international horses and riders from many different countries. On Friday, Kelsey jumped clear on both horses and finished sixth with Milous and eighth with Klotaire in a class of 28 entries. On Saturday, Kelsey and Klotaire jumped clean again, finishing seventh in a class of 20. On Sunday, both horses were feeling comfortable and confident as Kelsey rode Milous to fourth and Klotaire to sixth place in a class of 26 entries.

"Both boys were great," Thatcher smiled. "They both felt really crazy when they first got there because they had a long flight and then another day's trip to the farm, but they both settled in. They know when they are at a show and they definitely improved with each day; they got quieter and more relaxed."

"The show was much more relaxed, but at the same time it was a big deal horse show," Thatcher continued. "The Princess of Monaco was there, and she was being followed by the paparazzi and it had a bigger, more glamorous feel to it, but it was still just a horse show."

Thatcher owns several talented jumpers that she could have brought to Europe to compete, but in the end she chose to bring the two stallions, which ended up being a good decision. "Klotaire is a very fast horse and Milous did some speed classes at WEF, so they were both ready and perfect for the job," she stated. "It actually worked out really well with bringing the stallions because I don't know if the mares and geldings would have traveled as well. The stallions got off ready to go; where as the other horses would have probably been tired."

Thatcher noted the difference in the competition and the crowds in Spain compared to showing in the United States, saying, "It was very different there because all of the horses that did my division did all of the divisions. They did 1.20m, 1.30m, and 1.40m, and they just kept going, so that was interesting. There were also big crowds there and that definitely makes it more exciting. The crowds really get into the shows over there and they cheer when someone goes clear and jumps faster. With the professionals the crowds really oh and ah, so it is a lot of fun."

Thatcher will now spend a week in Belgium before heading to Italy next to compete in Turin, May 20-23. "I am definitely excited to go to Italy, but I am just trying to take it one day at a time here because every day has been amazing," she concluded.

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