Emma Smith, a 25-year-old USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist and USDF-certified instructor based in Delano, Minnesota, will be video blogging for the Chronicle from this year’s U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. Smith will be competing in the U25 Grand Prix with Stedemann, a 19-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Stedinger—SPS Weissendra, Hardenberg Donnerschwee) donated to her through the nonprofit Dressage4Kids. Get to know Smith and Stedemann here.

Today, Smith takes us through packing up for a major show like the Festival of Champions.