Finally, after spending two weeks in training camp at KER and three days at the Horse Park, Robin and Ralee got to compete in their first of three tests—today was the Para Team Test, and all I can say is: good job. They brought it home for the U.S. Team with a solid test, placing sixth in a highly competitive field of quality European horse-and-rider combinations.
Carolin Walz, who bred Ralee together with her business partner Phaedra Spradlin at Dreamtime Farm, was at hand to watch this rather historic event. Ralee was a cool and collected as ever—tomorrow he and Robin will put the “pedal to the medal,” so to speak and use the next gear for their individual test.
I did have a chance to watch some of the jumper warm-ups over the last few days—there are more than 130 jumpers here and the quality is mind blowing.
Saturday will be a busy day for us—some of our team members will be doing their freestyle, the Final Four will compete for the Jumping World Championship and the four-in-hands will do their marathon—can’t wait to watch all of that.
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I thought it was telling when Jessica Ransenhousen, a living legend in the sport of dressage, picked up a broom along with the rest of us to sweep the aisle in front of the U.S. stabling. What a great lady!
I am off to bed—tomorrow will start way before sunrise because our Grade IV riders will be competing between 8:30 and 11 a.m.
Keep us in your thoughts,
Elly
