Cold start this morning—I got up around 4:30 to drive to Georgetown to pick up Robin. She did not want to bother the bus driver that early. However, it turned out that we did not have to leave that early after all, so we enjoyed a nice breakfast with other U.S. riders and drivers.
Once we got to the barn, everything started to move quickly—feeding the superstar, putting his magnetic blanket on (he enjoys the Respond blanket, as well as his Back on Track blanket), clean the stall while he eats, sweep up around the barn area and Robin started to braid him.
Two of our U.S. Team members went ahead of Ralee—Mary Jordan and her homebred mare Paxton Abbey and Susan Treabess with MoneyPenny. Both had solid rides, and the entire U.S. Team was there to cheer them on.
Robin and I had to discuss our strategy for today’s ride—more energy, more expression and as always, Robin followed our game plan to the letter. Her ride was fun, exciting and precise and she ended being the highest placed U.S. rider in Grade IV by placing sixth. Neither one of us could have been happier.
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Ralee will be off tomorrow—Laura Scherr-Stilhaus is planning to work with him, and I will take him out a few times, just to give him the chance to stretch his legs. Friday and Saturday will be light days and on Sunday he will do his freestyle to Gilbert and Sullivan music.
Today in the athlete’s cafeteria we encountered large numbers of vaulters. The compulsory program was today, and the freestyle is tomorrow. All of us are planning to attend.
It has been a long, but rewarding day.
