Robin's Journal Continues

Monday, July 17, 2007

Karen and I slept a little later today. Downstairs, we had breakfast with the group. We were picked up by a Hartpury College bus a little after ten. It was an hour and a half drive to the college, through lovely country. We saw Windsor Castle off to one side, regal on the top of a hill.

The college was imposing. We had a little wait at Accreditation; apparently not everyone's passport photos, needed for our credentials, had gotten to the right person. We riders were fine, but many of the staff had to get their photos taken again. None of the photos were complimentary, and they were not going to actually identify anyone.

We found our rooms, all singles, and got our luggage deposited. Missy wanted the four riders and Sharon, only, to come to the farm where the horses were staying. Lynn Seidemann had a car, and John Stevenson, and we followed James Dwyer out to the farm. Missy said that it was very private, but quite lovely, and she was absolutely right. It was an estate that bespoke old landed gentry, with formal gardens and an elegant mansion of indeterminate, but significant, age.

Rocky was housed in a double stall. He perked up when I called him. Pam Lane, USET liaison, told me that she had been spoiling him for me. The horses were already groomed, with their boots on, ready for us to pop on. Missy had gone to town on Rocky's bridle, and every metal piece sparkled with gleaming polish. I was impressed.

We all got on our horses and went into the indoor. The footing was a waxed felt. The configuration of the indoor was unusual; it was a big square rather than the more normal rectangle. Missy gave us free rein to ride as we wished; she, Sharon, and Jessica Ransehausen gave us feedback but no directions.

Rocky felt good. Missy had ridden him twice, and he was ready to go for me. I worked through all his movements, making sure to keep my legs where Anne wanted them, and keeping Rocky's poll up. He liked to curl up and get too low in the poll.

It was a good ride. The only weak point for Rocky was his halts, which were not up to his usual standard. I did a dozen or so, with improving results, and let it go for today.

Mibis, Pippin, and Keith's Herbie looked good, too. There was a photographer that I did not know taking pictures throughout our rides. When we were done, Pam introduced him as John Stroud, who was here from Dressage Today. I was glad that we were going to get some publicity. We took the horses to the main house for more staged photos, using the fantastic mansion as the backdrop.

Back in the barn, I got Rocky unsaddled. We put the horses away, and Missy shooed us off to the venue. We were in time for dinner, which included typical English Yorkshire pudding.

It was an early evening for us all. Back in my room, I unpacked a little, and tried to get online. There was indeed internet access, but I did not have the right code or password or something, and I could not get online. That could wait for research in the morning.