August 11, 2006

HorsesDaily Behind the Scenes for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games

Follow the US Eventing WEG Shortlist Updates with Torri Nahorniak from USEF

Selectors and Veterinarians Arriving Soon

Things here are really starting to pick up the pace. I'm sure everyone knows the outcome of Gatcombe weekend by now. Karen had a rough go and got unlucky on cross-country. Both horse and rider are doing well and are actually entered in the Hartpury CIC*** for this weekend. On the Sunday of Gatcombe Laura Kraut came back for show jumping at Gatcombe and worked with those that were jumping. Overall it was a good day. Unfortunately Task Force pulled a shoe in the warm up, twice, and was not able to jump. Steve Teichman, our farrier, arrived the next day and took care of all 4 feet so he is back in business.

The horses then went to the gallop on Tuesday. I unfortunately was not able to attend this one either but have vowed to go on Sunday and will describe it after that and will try and send pictures if possible. It is supposed to be one of the best gallops in England. Later that day PJ McMahon came and looked at all of the horses and took care of anything that needed to be done. That left Wednesday as a quiet day and the remainder of the week will be spent in either dressage or jump schools.

To bring everyone up to speed on the upcoming schedule - next week the selectors and veterinarians arrive on Monday. We will be doing vet evaluations on Tuesday and part of Wednesday and the Squad will be announced Wednesday afternoon. Laura Kraut will also be back on Wednesday for a jump school. Thursday will be spent working with Mark and Friday will be the horses final gallop. Saturday all the horses will be trotted up and the Team and Individuals will be decided. After that it will be time to pack and we will depart Aston Farm around 4:00 am on Sunday morning for Aachen.

It's funny how fast the days are going now. The mandatory outing seems so long ago and all of a sudden WEG is just around the corner. With the events of yesterday regarding the airlines it made me stop and think. I am blessed to be working with an amazing group of people who day in and day out bring everything they have to the ring and to this team. Yes, the tensions are starting to build and it is a competitive group of people, that's what makes them the best, but at the end of the day we will all compete for our country and every one of the people here, and everyone on this distribution list and more, will have played a vital role in making the team what it is. That is what will give this team its backbone and its legacy.