The last few days have been rather hectic. Saturday started for us at 4 a.m., with a drive from the house of my good friend Cindy Vimont (who has been playing hostess for us—you rock, Cindy!) to the barn at KER (thank you again to Joe and Anna Pagan, as well as their incredible staff for being so generous and friendly and helpful and supportive).
It takes 45 minutes each way, but it saves us a lot of money, which is in VERY short supply. However, an anonymous donor provided a substantial amount of money for the para team and whoever you are, you should have seen the incredulous faces around the table when Pam Lane handed out those checks!
Saturday continued with a training session for Ralee and Robin, and then she and the rest of the team got dressed for the opening ceremony. Even though the weather had cooled down, it was still rather warm and the riders had to wear their entire outfit—white shirt, dark blazer, cowboy hat and boots and jeans.The ladies had to wear a scarf, and Mary Jordan did a great job of figuring out how to tie it.
The entire group just had a ball walking onto the Kentucky Horse Park. Many of us had never experienced it, and it was memorable. Kai Handt was able to organize a large golf cart, so everyone on the team would be able use it during the lengthy ceremony.
After the official team photo was taken, the riders had to wait for the show to start, which it did around 7 p.m. There were so many different show pieces that I have a hard time remembering all. The ones I recall were the Friesian quadrille which I thought was very well done, the combination of Saddlebreds, followed by a couple of trotters and then a few Thoroughbreds—Chris McCarron was especially honored.
And then it was time for the athletes to march into the stadium. I didn’t realize how many countries the WEG was hosting. Yes, we all went crazy when OUR riders entered the stadium. Robin was able to videotape this experience. Watching it, you will feel as if you are marching right next to her.
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When all was said and done and we finally made our way back to Cindy’s house, it was close to midnight. It was a long day, but what a day it was.
Laura Scherr-Spilhaus, the popular U.S. para-equestrian team physiotherapist has finally arrived and immediately went to work. Ralee just loved it, and she thought he was in great condition.
Sunday morning, Robin slept in (for once) while I went out to the barn, got on Ralee and took him for a hack.
Monday started with an unofficial jog, supervised by our U.S. para team vet Dr. Stacey Kent, our Chef d’Equipe Missy Ransenhousen, Laura Scherr-Stilhaus (Ralee and I have decided, that we will adopt/kidnap her) and Sharon Schneidmann, our can-do-anything-and-has-done-anything assistant team trainer, followed by another training session.
This afternoon we will be heading to the Horse Park to watch our fellow U.S. team members compete in the Grand Prix dressage.
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Talk to you tomorrow,
Elly
