 |
| |
|
HorsesDaily
Behind the Scenes DressageDaily is in touch with the the short listed riders in Europe as they continue to compete for the top four position for the US Team for the WEG. They have all been great about sharing their experiences, so we can share with our readers. Enjoy! Debbie McDonald and Brentina - Dressagedaily 2006 WEG Journals Aug 18 - Just though I would give you all an update on our preparation for the big competition. We are leaving on Sat afternoon for Aachen. Can't believe that it is almost here! The weather has turned cooler and if it stays like this should be great weather for the show. Anyone coming should bring rain gear as there are showers in the forecast. Judith and Klaus gave us a farewell/good luck party last night. This has become a tradition, with great food and good company. I went to bed early because I am coming down with a cold but had a good time while I was there. Looking forward to the opening ceremonies I have heard that it is going to be good. All the horses are looking very happy and fit for the big event. As the time draws near I get very quiet so you probably won't hear much from me. I will try to keep you posted. Can't wait to get home and stay for a while. I miss my family so much! Keep your fingers crossed for the US, I know that we will all do our best to bring home a medal! Stay Safe! Aug 10 - I wanted to let you all know if you have been watching TV that we are fine here in London. Bob and I actually were at Heathrow this morning leaving to go back to Klaus's after spending a couple of great days with Peggy and Parry. I have to say it was a nightmare! We were there for six hours standing in a space of about two feet sqaure. We couldn't move forward or backward even though we wanted to leave. Finally the airlines told us all to leave and try to re book in a couple of days. I don't have a couple of days!! We are now on a train to Paris tonight and then on to Dusseldorf in the morning. I am afraid that things could get worse the more I am hearing. If they shut down all forms of public transportation then we are really in trouble. It just goes to show you how fast things can change! So we are on our first train adventure only wish it was under better circumstances. Have to go running out of time! Stay Safe! Love Deb Aug 7 - Bob and I are in London with Peggy and Parry for a few days. The horses were going to have a couple of easy days before we really start gearing up for the WEG. We get back to Klaus's on Thursday morning so we can ride. Now things start getting a little more intense as we all want to peak at the right time. This is when knowing your horse is so important, for us we will concentrate more on fitness and keeping her fresh. We should all learn today who our fourth rider will be, I wish them all the best of Luck! Aug 1 - We are getting settled into Verden and must say that the weather has become the typical German Weather that I am used to, cold, rain and gloom! Today we were all talking about the fact that we all left our warm clothes (people and horses) at Klaus's or in Leslie's case Kyra's. We were so positive that we would not need any warm things because it was so hot it couldn't possibly change that much. Were we wrong! So I went to the tack store today and picked up a jacket for myself and a cooler for Brentina. All the horses schooled today and looked really super. Klaus has had a plan from the beginning and he has never made a wrong choice for the US team that I can remember. He informed me today that he is very happy with Brentina, Floriano, and Aragon and doesn't want us to show here in Verden. He wants to focus on the last team spot and feels that the other three horses have proved to be in top form. He was so happy with our performance in Elmlohe and feels that we just need to focus on training. He doesn't see any need in doing another show with horses that know their jobs so well. He loves to see the horses happy and going without stress in their work and feels that is an important factor going into a big competition like the WEG. I think that is what I am so proud of in the US team, that our horses are happy and enjoy what they are doing. When we arrived yesterday we knew that the German Verban had planned a welcome party for the Americans. It was so generous of them, they had a big barbecue with pork, steak, chicken, and bratwurst. Not to mention all the fixings that go with it. All the US contingency was there with their families and grooms. It is always fun to have some time away from the horses to get to know each other more. We all had a great time. Peggy and Parry arrived that afternoon and managed to stay up and take part in the party as well. The jog is tomorrow and the tension I would imagine will be running a little higher. This is when it becomes very stressful and at times you wonder why you are putting yourself through it. We call it a sickness to some extent, you thrive on the adrenaline and the rush of competitor. I am sure if you talked to any top competitor they would all agree. It is stressful to be in the shoes of the riders that are trying to earn a spot on the team, but on the other hand, it is an honor. It is what we have all worked hard to achieve. It is what we call " Living the Dream". I wish them all the best of luck! While
I talk alot about the riders I must say that the grooms are truly the
stars. They are the ones that make this all happen for us. Without them
we could not do our job. When you think about it, they are very rarely
mentioned and never complain about the hours they must put in to make
it all happen. I know that I have the best groom in the World! Ruben,
Thank you for all you do for Brentina, she loves you as much as I do!
I will keep you all posted, Stay Safe!
Everyone but myself will go on to do the GPS. I just wanted to get back in the ring since it has been awhile. As it stands right now all of us except for Gunter and Steffen will do Verden next weekend. It has been great fun getting to know Catherine Haddad, she has kept us all laughing at the dinners. I can't speak for the others but it seems that everyone is having as much fun as I am. We all got a chuckle at the German Coach coming to watch us. It seems we gave him a little something to go home and talk about. We were all very happy to get the remarks from five top judges. One of them being Heinz Lemmermann who just judged the German Championships. The rustic atmosphere at this show has made for a very special event. Surrounded by trees, three dressage rings two warm-up arenas, make for plenty of room. With two show jumping grass arenas surrounded by food venues that are hard to pass up. The show organizers have been so wonderful to us they even flew the American Flag for us during the show. We also had a great acceptance from the audience with generous applause. We even had a few Americans there Marie Meyers, Marissa Festerling, David Whiteman who cheered us on. They are here for the young horse championships in Verden next week as well. That is all for now I will give you another update in a couple of days.
I found out yesterday that Halle will not be able to go to Aachen. There are no dogs allowed at all! Judith has said that she can stay with her and their two dogs. She is so good to all of us and works so hard to make sure all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. I don't know what we would do without her! Bob's back went out on him today, Judith called a chiropractor to come to the house and work on him. It helped stop the spasms quite a lot. Thank god for Craig, he had some really good muscle relaxers and also came promptly with some ice. I will hopefully be able to keep you all updated on the road. If you don't here from me, then I was unsuccessful getting online! Stay safe! Love Deb
I was misinformed on the castle the other night. He is a count and it wasn't dinner it was cocktails and a tour of the grounds. Very interesting people and so genuine. We had a lovely evening and Halle had a great time playing with their two black labs. Yesterday we had a little rain which broke the heat in the house last night. Finally a night's sleep without waking up ringing wet! I don't think it is going to last, already this morning it is warm. We are going to leave next Wed for the National show. I will show on Sat in just the GP but the other riders, Gunter, Tuny, Heather will show also in the GPS. Not sure if anyone else will be doing that show. We will then stay at this facility until we leave for Verden. Klaus arranged some very nice permanent stalls that are big and the show is only one hour from Verden. It will be a much easier trip on the horses in the heat. I am hoping that I will be able to hook up my computer at the first show. Last time I was in Verden I could not hook up my computer. I will try very hard to find a place to do this so I can keep you all posted on what is going on. We have all been enjoying the training and having fun evenings going out to dinner. These are the things that make being away from home for so long worth it. It is hard being away from family and friends for but they are great in supporting what I do. With my new assistant Adrienne I have no worries that things are being done like I want them at the barn. I better go for now but will write you all again soon.
|
|
|
| Contact Horsesdaily PhelpsPhotos® HorsesDaily®, DressageDaily and ScoreSource® are registered properties of Phelps Hathaway Enterprises,Inc. All content under this copyright is the property of PHE, Inc. unless otherwise noted. ©1997-2006 horsesdaily®.com All Rights Reserved |
July
28
- Debbie and Brentina win Grand Prix in Elmlohe
July
26 - We are all packed and ready to leave in the morning for
our first show. It amazes me, every time we pack, how much equipment,
feed, freezers, etc. It takes to make a show happen for our four legged
friends. Because we will not be coming back to Klaus's in between shows
we have to take even more stuff. All of the horses really look great
and ready to go. We are having a little thunder shower right now, hope
it breaks the heat! It was very hot once again today, we are all getting
very tired of it. The horses seem to be handling it better than us!
July
23 - Just thought I would give you an update on what is going
on here in Germany. The last couple of days we have been going to watch
the German Championships. Some very inspiring rides and some very interesting
rides. It is always great to see these top riders and that they also
deal with the same issues that we all do. We walked away with a feeling
that we can compete with these horse and riders. The American horses
by far and away can piaffe and passage with the best of them. Today
(Sunday) is the Freestyle and we will watch again. It is a quiet day
at Balkenhol's and horses just hand walk on Sunday.
July
17 - Team Brentina arrived last Thursday and without incident.
I am always relieved when she gets here with Ruben safely. I brought
my new puppy with me on the plane and she was a very good girl. The
weather is very warm and the horse flies are so bad and aggressive that
we have to ride inside. But I am not complaining, it is better than
freezing cold and rain! It has been really nice for Bob and me because
we are staying on the property in a little apartment, we have had a
couple of lovely evenings with Judith, Klaus and Bellie in their garden.
Can't wait for everyone else to get here. I love getting up in the morning
riding Brentina and then taking my cup of coffee to sit and watch all
the other riders. It isn't often that you can watch this caliber of
riders in one place. Stay Safe everyone and we will keep you posted!
