Centerline Goes to the Olympics:
An Amateur Rider's Journal by Maureen Crump

Day Two: Anticipation

Wednesday I leave for Athens to watch the Olympic Dressage Competition.  Excitement has been steadily building about our US Olympic team.  It became obvious in the early CDIs in Wellington and California that we had depth to our field of top riders and that the official selection trials would be a horse race. 

The California Selection Trials was historic in its West coast venue and in the quality of the riding and the number of riders producing that quality.  Axel Steiner provided ear phone commentary that was up close and personal about the riders, horses, and movements.  He had us on the edge of our seats.  Several times he spontaneously exclaimed "this is the best competition ever to take place in this country".  We all felt we were part of a special moment in the development of US dressage.  I have been following the sport for many years and appreciate the years of dedication, training, and perseverance of many riders leading to this current group of top athletes.

After the Selection Trial the US sent a squad of the top riders to Europe for further competition.  I have been following the buzz by visiting our favorite web sites, dressagedaily.com, eurodressage.com, chronofhorse.com, and ultimatedressage.com.  Our squad has proven solid in the face of the top European competition, sometimes placing at the top of the leader board.  All have been tough and competitive placing high in the ranks of the best riders in the world.  Our team has been chosen for Athens: Robert Dover and FBW Kennedy, Debbie McDonald and Brentina, Guenter Seidel and Aragon, and Lisa Wilcox and Relevant.  They are poised to make history in Athens as a team and individually.  I hope to give you the feeling of being "on-the-scene" with my reports as the story unfolds. 

As we have all seen on TV, the opening ceremonies were beautiful and executed perfectly.  Greece must be so proud of their accomplishment.  I am so looking forward to experiencing the Olympic movement with its global community in this country in which civilization was born.  I loved hearing the Simon and Garfunkel song during the opening ceremonies:  "I am a citizen of the planet".

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