Thanks, Everyone!

Hi again!
 I just really want to thank everyone who  has been writing me. You have all brought tears to my eyes and put a smile on my face.  We are hanging in there. Brentina has been full of herself and has no idea that she has not won a medal. She goes out and struts her stuff like she always has. I am sure that you have all read the reaction from my team and what a team this has turned out to be! I don't know if you can see on television how many we have standing on the stand in front of the arena. The cover picture for the Grand Prix Special on Equisearch should give you an idea. But we are all there for each other. When I say this I am also including Michael Barisone, he is a teammate and brings so much to our team spirit. Often the alternate is not talked about and certainly not given the credit they deserve. All of us put our family, and our financial support on hold for three months or more, depending on where you live and where the horses must travel. He stood ready to step in for the team and his country at any moment, yet sits in the background. What so many don't realize is that this isn't like most shows, in the fact that you can't get your family credentials to see you. So when they come, you are lucky to spend a little time during a part of the day that you can fit it in. There has been an International Tent made available for families and friends to get together but it isn't the same and can be very crowded. I just would like to point out that even though we were only allowed to start three riders we had a fourth who is just as much a part of the team as those of us who had the opportunity. Thank you all for your continued support, you are the reason it is all worthwhile!
Debbie

My Thoughts from Here

Hello Everyone,
 First I must say that in spite of what is being written, Brentina is not LAME! She went into the ring and was terrified by something. I can't even tell you how badly I feel, not only for losing the team medal but also for letting the country down. This was certainly not the way I wanted to end a career. I want to thank everyone who has supported us over the years and my family, who has given up so much to get me here.My teammates Courtney and Steffen, go get them and show them that you deserve to be here.  Klaus, Gil, Rick,everyone that has been associated with this team, and there are way too many to mention, have been amazing. The grooms have been so great together. It has been fun to watch them take care of each other.  It has been very hard on Ruben, it has really hit us both that she will not be going down center line again. We are both so thankful that she will still be with us and the loving and pampering will never change! With the amount of treats that she has been getting, I am sure she thinks she just won the medal! And to all our fans, thank you for your letters. Mary has been so great in making sure that I receive them. Also Kyra, has been working hard at it. I don't know if I will be writing again but please know that we love you all!
Debbie, Ruben and of course the BRICK HOUSE WOMAN, BRENTINA!

 

One More Day To Go!

Sorry it has been a couple of days since I have last written. It seems like we are on the go every moment even with only one horse. Things are on target here and the jog went very well for our team. If I do say so myself, we were the best turned out of any team!

The last three days we have been cheering our Event Team on. It is fun to have all three teams in the same barn. Today was an easy day for the horses; we had the main arena last night but not until 10:35 p.m. So by the time we got home it was around 11:45, and who knows when the grooms got done. This is when the grooms really start to get tired. Up at 5 a.m. and not to bed until after midnight. Some of them don't get to bed before 2 a.m! But that isn't because of us! I know that Ruben has made the most of his experience here. Everywhere he goes they all know his name and love him! I have never met anyone that puts a smile on and loves what he does more than him. Brentina is his best friend and you can see it in both of their faces. This is also going to be very hard on him knowing that this is the last time with her in competition. I have been so lucky to have him.

We are getting some rain again today and I hope it stays a little overcast the next couple of days. After a rain like this if it is sunny, it will be unbearable with the humidity. One more day to go! Getting nervous and excited, this is the most beautiful arena that I have ever been in, also electric! The jumbo screen has caused some tenseness in many horses and also the camera between the judges booths at the end of the arena. We have all had time in the ring to let them see it, now we have to wait and see if it helped.

It has been wonderful traveling with such a great support group. Bob, Gil, Rick and the staff from USEF have been amazing. Michael has been wonderful, keeping us all laughing with his jokes and imitations! He has definitely earned best sportsmanship award for this trip! Hope everyone is well back in the U.S. Stay safe!

Debbie

Typhoon!

Hello Everyone,
Wanted to let you all know that things are well here in Hong Kong in spite of the typhoon that we are having. I have never been through anything like this, so I chalk it up to another adventure. I think we are lucky because it ended up not being a direct hit. It is still considered an 8 on their scale and I think it goes to 10.

The town is pretty much shut down and the barn as well. They weren't running the trains earlier so we didn't go to the barn this morning, but the grooms are staying at the venue and they said that everything was fine there. They were able to get the horses out to hand-walk this morning before it really started to come down. The jumpers were supposed to arrive this morning but because of this storm they took them off the plane in Amsterdam. The riders did make it in, I think that they will try to fly the horses tomorrow?

We have been riding the horses twice a day. In the mornings, we mostly walk and then come back and ride at night. By the time we get back to the hotel and eat a bite, it is 11 p.m. or later. In the afternoon, we have been doing some shopping. It is pretty amazing, because our dollar is stronger and you can find some pretty great deals. There are little malls all over the place here! We have been taking the subway to get to the venue once a day. That is a pretty slick deal in the morning, but coming back makes me a little uneasy, mostly because there are so many people that I worry about getting sick. We have a driver but only at night. It takes an hour if you take the subway and 30 minutes if you have a driver.

I'm getting excited about the opening ceremonies. We are not going to Beijing, but they are having a small version  here in Hong Kong. We also will be watching it live over a big screen in the stadium. They have a great night planned, so it should be fun. The nice thing about having it here is we will not miss any days with our horses, if we don't have any more typhoons! Hope everyone is well at home. Sending many thanks for all your support, from Hong Kong!

Deb

We're Here!

Hi! Just wanted to let you all know that we did arrive safe and all horses look great! This is really an amazing venue, I think the best that I have ever seen or been to. The stalls are big and have rubber not just on the floor, but the walls as well. The barn is kept at a cool temp so the horses are not having to be drained by the heat all day and night. The footing is amazing as well. Today I took Brentina out for a trail ride on manicured trails that meander inside the race track. I haven't seen the grooms'rooms but they seem to be fine with them. So far, the weather is bearable. We will ride light in the mornings and then start riding them at night, since that is when most of the competition will be going.

We received all our (Olympic) clothes last night, but none of mine fit. They ordered me XS for everything. HAS ANYONE SEEN MY ARMS? Not a big deal. They are going to try and exchange them. The people could not be nicer and the service at the restaurants is unbelievable. Took a short walk today to see things and can't believe what it's like. I am having custom-made suits with skirts and blouses for around $400.

We are all going tonight on the Jockey Club yacht for a tour of the harbor. Enjoying these next couple of days and then it is time to get really serious. But for now, it is nice to be doing something out of the ordinary. Talk to you all later!

Debbie

The Journey to Hong Kong

Hi Everyone!

I am so sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I have no idea where the time goes. I get up early to ride, watch the other countries school, and then we have lunch. God forbid we miss a meal! That seems to be what we all look forward to. Then I will ride for another hour in the afternoon. I don't work her hard, mostly walking, but it is great when we get to go into the grass field.

Brentina ("Mama") really does love that time of day. We all hang out in the barn, chat and before you know it, it's time to think about dinner.

If any of you have ever been to Germany, then you know how long it takes to have a meal. Not to mention how much longer it takes with large groups. By the time we get home, I don't have the energy to write. I know it is a poor excuse. But I will try to catch you all up to date.

We have had a good time here in Aachen but it is time to move on and get our job done. You can only be contained for so long without wanting to scream. The horses are ready, and we have all practiced under the lights and feel excited about our next adventure.

Last night, all the horses were hydrated for the long journey to Hong Kong. We hear that so far, all the other teams have arrived without a problem and that things have run smooth and fast. We heard the last load was off the trailer and in their stalls in less than an hour. They have a police escort and have no traffic to hold them up. The trailers are all air conditioned as well. We are also traveling with the Swedish and Australian teams, if I am not mistaken; I think we are the last of the dressage teams to get there.

Dr. Rick Mitchell and Rafa (Ravel's groom) are traveling with the horses, as well as professional grooms. They would not allow all the grooms to fly so Ruben did not get to go with Mama. But she is in great hands!

We have to stop for fuel in Dubai but they say that the whole trip from leaving Amsterdam will be 12 hours. That does not count the eight hours they spent on the trailer before they loaded onto the plane. But we thought ahead and had a box stall in the trailer for all the horses so they could move around and get their heads down. We have been in the air for 4 hours and they keep giving us updates that they are doing great! When we arrive in Hong Kong, we will be taken by someone from USEF to get our credentials, and then go to see the horses. We hear that the weather is pretty brutal but even, so we are very excited to get there. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that they all arrive safe, sound and healthy.

I also thought that I should be honest and let you know that I did not spend one day at the gym. Just couldn't go to a German gym. I have been to one before and it just wasn't for me. Bob and I walked but Bob got so into the walking that he would go in between the rainstorms. For any of you who know Bob, this is not NORMAL! I shouldn't be mean; he has been so wonderful and fun on this trip.

I will give you all an update when I am able to get online at the hotel. I hear that there is no wireless, so not sure if I will be able to do it. We are all under some rules about what we can write and take pictures of. I wish I had the ability to snap some shots and mail them off, but I'm just not computer savvy enough for that. Miss everyone and thank you for thinking good thoughts for the U.S. Team!

Debbie

First Day of Quarantine

Hello everyone!

Today we started our first day of quarantine. What we all thought would be a nightmare ended up not being so bad. Peden, which is basically in charge of this and our transport arrangements, seems to have things very much under control. To get the horses into the quarantine stable they first were given a number, then went into a vet clinic where blood was drawn. They then went into another room where they did a nose swab, then into another room where they were sprayed down with some type of insecticide. You then went out and waited to see if the results came back negative and then were given another number to get into the stables. Since we were already stabled there we had the choice of going in later, which gave us time to ride in the morning and get organized. It worked great--by the time we were finished most of the horses had arrived and were finished with the tests. We all hung out and organized the barn again, and then watched as a few of the teams came out to ride. All I can say is that I am proud to be an American! The weather is rain and more rain. It is not very warm, not what you would hope for before for Hong Kong! But we still have two weeks so all we can do is hope that it warms up. I will give you another update in a few days but that's pretty much it for now.