Cold, it was COLD on Sunday morning, but we had plenty of blankets and yes, we have the famous U.S. Equestrian Team blankets.
Robin rode Ralee this morning in one of the warm-up rings. He was just incredible. After that we had a team meeting during which we received more information in regards to food vouchers, picking up clothing for horse owners, where the jog would be held and what to wear during the jog. Later in the afternoon we all walked down to the actual area of the jog and let the horses take a look at it.
Eight of the 10 short-listed riders are new to the team, so Missy Ransehousen, Sharon Schneidmann and Dr. Stacey Kent (along with Laura Scherr-Stilhaus) have made a huge effort to familiarize the newbies with the procedures and regulations required during such a huge event.
We ate lunch in the athletes cafeteria and ran into a number of top riders from all over the world. Yep, even the superstars get hungry and the food was really good.
We did see Jayne Ayers rather frequently driving by our stalls; she loaned two horses to the Japanese team and one to the team from Argentina. I also saw a Dutch rider clothed completely in orange—it was easy to guess which team she was riding for.
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Coming back to the barn, we saddled up to ride a second time, this time in the actual show arena. Ralee had been in this indoor a few years ago during the USDF Young Horse Symposium with Christoph Hess, who has become a fan of our boy.
I have to admit that I did get a bit emotional when I, for the first time, put the USET saddle pad on Ralee. Go ahead, call me a sentimental fool, I don’t care!
And last but certainly not least, let me send out a thank you to the incredible grooms of the U.S. Para–Equestrian Team. A group of funny, intelligent ladies and one great guy, they make all of this soooooooooooo much easier!
Talk to you tomorrow,
Elly
