Chef d'Equipe, Gina Smith and I are not just pretty faces. We work!

Today was our first day in Aachen and the Canadian Team here of Ashley Holzer on Pop Art, Belinda Trussell and Anton, Bonny Bonnello and Pikardi and Wendy Christoff and Pfalstaff all had their 30 minutes together in the main arena. I must say they looked great and the horses are ready for the jog tomorrow morning at 9:12 and the Nation’s Cup on Thursday, starting at 9:00am and going until 6:00pm.

Chef d’Equipe, Gina Smith and I met early for breakfast in the hotel and then went out to the stables to ensure that everything was prepared for the arrival of our horses. There was the little matter of removing the bedding from one of the stalls and making it into a tack stall as well as getting more hay and straw for everyone. Needless to say, my hayfever kicked in with a vengeance and it is also very hot here in Europe, just as it is in Florida and New York at the moment, so we had our workout. Gina is great and very organized in every way and her ability to speak fluent German is a huge plus as well. It is also super having our Team Vet, Geoff Vernon, with us as this is our first time all working together as a unit and so important to the overall success of the Team. Finally, I love having the many friends and family members here to support our riders as they feel this positive energy and rise to the occasion!

All in all, Aachen is hands down the most fantastic horse competition in the world and one feels this the minute one steps on the premises. Frank Kemperman ( or as I call him, “Fearless Leader”), has this organization running like a fine-tuned machine in everry way. From the fantastic facilities for both horses and riders to the huge trade show, Aachen has something for each and every one of the near 65,000 people who attend this show of shows daily.

Cheers!

RD

Our life-size "Hotel Horse" in Novotel Aachen

Posted: Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Filed under: Uncategorized