Home again, home again....

The world has only just stopped spinning and the jet lag is starting to wear off! It is great to be home - to see my dog, sleep in my bed, see my pal Woody (Upstage), and french vanilla creamer - in liquid form....

The results of the show jumping have been plastered all over the internet - some being truly great, some being very unfair and disappointing:
Big Mac is one the biggest hearted horses there is - There he stands 17.3 plus... his eye is kind, his temper can vary from sweet to hot very quickly with no warning - but he was all sweet and brave that day! He and Gina have had a fairly tale career - the kind we all hope we can have with that one special horse... First Three star, first four star, first team trip, first trip overseas, first team and individual medal at the Pan Ams to an Olympic medal.... what more can you ask from one horse? He Rocks!!!!

Then there was the drama with Phillip - that man oozes professionalism and team theory. And his groom Emma - she is so great with her horses, they all love her and she does whatever it takes to keep them happy and healthy - And his owner Bruce - a man who supports all disciplines, who is there through good times and bad, and loves and respects his horse, Phillip and Emma all the same. There was a rule change in February regarding the weight of hind show jump boots - the info never got to the riders, Emma tacked Simon up as she has done for the last three years - only to be told after his second round that the boots weighed 700 grams when that legal weight was 500 grams.... SO unfair - nothing we can do about it. Rules are rules - you can be sure we all will be looking closer at the rule book and reading the emails that come across regarding changes!

Mandiba - I am so excited for him and Karen and his owner Joan - he jumped so well, only having one rail early in the course and then jumping a foot over the rest of the tough track. He grew up so much again, and finished the event sound, brave and ready for the next... how cool is that? He is now COVERED in red clay enjoying some well deserved turnout here in Virginia - the rain is most welcome... Hi belly is getting bigger and so is his ego.

The days after the show jumping were filled with some sightseeing and shopping - the Jade Market being one of the best places to find a bargain. We weren't flying out until Saturday AM - they scheduled in some typhoon day - so we got a chance to breathe and cheer on the Dressage and Show Jumping.

We were on our way back to England for a layover before heading back to the US - Mac and Poggio were staying for a bit to fly back to the west coast, Simon is staying to fly back with Phillips Burghley horse, Woodburn, leaving just Mandiba and Comet to fly home together. They traveled great and arrived home a week ago -

I feel I need to say a little something about our unsung heros of the trip - Dr. Brendon Furlong, his wife Wendy (acupuncturist) and farrier Steve Teachman.... without them, I don't know, I don't want to think of the trip without them. they are all so critical in what they do! They are so good at their jobs, and they are so great to be around - LOVE THEM!

Karen and I got home in time to go to the Future Event Horse class at Difficult Run. Lauren Kieffer and Hannah Burnett have been looking after all the horses while we were gone and had the two three year olds ready to roll. One of the young horses is Bally's Cracker - daughter of Bally-Mar who I looked after for MANY years - she's 21 now and lives with Jokers Wild on the farm in Florida. The other young horse is a stunning gelding of Karen and Davids that they bred - Double Take. His older siblings are competing very well -
And don't you know - Bally's Cracker was first and Double Take was second out of 8 for the three year olds... and Bally's Cracker was reserve champion for the show? Very fun -

Looking back at the trip - there is so much we could have done to make it different. Would of, could of, should of.... we have two years to rock it to bring home some medals in our country! We need to pull together and stay together to be stronger. We need support from all who care, and in turn we need to support them back. It takes a village to make it all happen -

End of the trip - but not the end of the Blog - will try and keep it going. We are off to Loudon Horse Trials this weekend.

more soon.....

Cross Country recap...

I've just put Mandiba and Comet on the lorry to head for the airport with US vet Dr. Sarah Gold - such mixed emotions; the trip is over, but we are on our way home!!! Sad to see the lorry leave - in a way I wished we could do it all over again, but I wouldn't take the experience back for anything.....
So - back to Sunday - After Phillip's dressage, we were packing up to go to Bea's River where the cross country was taking place. Equipment was out by 11am and the horses were out the door by 2pm. All horses were loaded in 20 minutes due to the amazing organization of the crew from Pedens, shipping company from the UK that is in charge of all flights, lorries, and transportation for the Olympics and Para Olympics. Off we went and all horses were unloaded in the same orderly fashion. The one night stalls were in an air conditioned temporary building with WIDE isles - all of our trucks were neatly outside our stalls - the stalls were big and bright; again the organizers left nothing undone. Stable manager Dougie Hanom had us all bedded and water buckets hung - We love you Dougie!!!
Emma and I shared a "Bunk-a-Bin" where we were sleeping for the night - I am bit old for bunk beds... but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do...
Early to bed - been a long day and a HUGE day tomorrow.
All my life I have dreamed of going to the Olympics. I have worked hard, learned so much, blood, sweet, tears - but that cross country morning - I would have traded places with any one in the world to not feel as nervous and sick as I did that morning! Emma and I wished our horses were first to go instead of last two for the team...
The course was MUCH bigger than everyone expected... Athens was said to be a 2 star plus, where this was more of a four star. 39 jumping efforts in 8 minutes - yikes.
The amazing Mark Todd was first on the course - I have walked by him so many times on the venue and have even been introduced to him - and I still get speechless when I see him.... very embarrassing. He ran around the track well over the time, but clear over the fences to start the day out well.
Amy and Poggie were ready to attack the course - the course ended up attacking him. He got a bit close to the 10th fence and hung a leg throwing Amy to the ground... and now with the "one fall and out" rule change - that means elimination.
Next for us was Gina - we all worried about Mac's size with the heat. Mother Nature was very kind to us that day with lower temps and overcast skies... and Mac and Gina again showed not much was going to stop them. Great news back to the barns lifted the spirits....
Becky was ready to be fast and clean. She'd been watching the monitor all day and had a plan. She was getting it done - until she made the turn to the dragon and never saw her line... Comet stopped. To make matters worse, Becky got lost trying to do the option and got herself a technical stop to add to the first 20...
Baby horse had to step up. Karen was hoping that she could take some options and get home clean and slow. With Becky and Amy out - she had to try and go the fast ways if the team had any chance of keeping their head above water.
He really stepped up - but not enough - youngest horse in the field, I can't blame him. Karen rode amazingly... he came home with two stops. It is not his turn.
Phillip went out and did what he always does - ran clean and as fast as he could. Owner Bruce (I wont try and spell his last name) had his lucky stick that he found at Rolex this year... clearly it worked. Emma and I sighed that our "kids" came home safely.
Back at the barns, the volume was loud - fluids were run, legs were iced, tack was repacked - horses were back to Sha Tin on a 3pm lorry - trunks ready by 1:30 - no rest for the weary.
Spirits were low in Camp USA - all went to well to go so badly. How did it happen? A question we will be asking ourselves for a while.
On a fun note - The US show jumpers came out to walk the course the day before and got up early to be "spotters" for us on the course. They watched the first few horses go to report back to Mark Phillips to let him know how the course was riding to help the team - We thank them so much!!! I think Laura Kraut and Will Simpson may change sports!
Transport back to the venue was as easy going to Bea's River. Next was jog time for the horses with vet Brendon Furlong and farrier Steve Teachman to see what we needed to do to get us through the next vet check, which wasn't until 4pm the next day. Brendon's wife, Wendy, was also there doing acupuncture on the horses as well - we have a great support staff!!! Horses all looked great.
We tried to put the horses to bed early for a good nights sleep - it was going to be a long day on Tuesday - jog at 4pm and jumping not starting until 7:15pm. Emma and I wandered out to watch the US jumpers have practice time jumping in the big ring - well worth the watch... such fabulous horses and riders.
More soon on the rest of the story!

Finally a recap.... dressage

Where to start -
Dressage - session 1 -
Early Saturday morning - first dressage test at 6:30... AM that is. Amy was first to go for the team - 5th to go overall. Poggio is a funny horse. Not a big mover, but he tries so very hard. He is SO intense on his job that he can get himself wound up - so Amy decided to jump him at 5am. Sounds strange, but clearly it worked as he put in his best test ever... Its his last event, last dressage test ever - a bit emotional. Off to a great start...
Next to go was BIG MAC - Mac usually puts in a great test, but last year at the Pan Ams, he warmed up too long at got really tight. This time was very different. Gina had it all planned perfectly and they rocked into the big ring and danced... He broke into the 30's - Gina's husband, Morgan, looked at me as she finished and said "That was good, right?" Yes Morgan... that was GREAT! US was sitting in second, sweet.
Dressage - session 2 - night time dressage:
Who do we all love to watch do dressage? Becky and Comet.... The more the atmosphere the better and with all the lights and all the fans, it was a perfect setting - he's such a showoff! Light, camera, action.... Comet did not disappoint - Becky lived it up, enjoying every moment - busted in the top three on a 35.6 - personal best again! Oh ya... Husband/ owner Tom took all the credit - he's been working on the horses flying changes for a while... good try Tom! We still love you though.
Late night - early morning - again.
Dressage session 3 -
Mandiba was up... my baby horse - he has been working so hard and growing up so much... I keep repeating myself, but I am so proud of my horse. Early AM - Phillip and Karen were at the barns by 5:30 for pre-rides... There are moments in your life when you stop and look around and its a moment you will never forget - a picture you take in your mind - I walked out to the warm up ring to Karen and Doodle (that is what we call Mandiba) trotting around the arena alone - the sky was a big red color - streaks across the sky as the sun was rising. The foreground was the tall buildings and the green hills... so amazing, will never forget. A moment later - the red was gone.
Warm up went well - into the ring... Big fire in the corner! - no that's the torch. Whats that big thing in between the two judges stand? - That would be the TV camera. Take a breath - get 'er done... Karen was fabulous - Doodle was fabulous... trot work was a bit sticky, but the canter work was amazing. 41.2 - Doodle's best score to date at this level - what more could you ask for? He's the best -
Phillip Dutton is great. He has such an amazing combination on professionalism and humor - perfect combination for a teammate on a trip like this one. He had an amazing test at Kentucky - he's was schooling so well - Simon looked at the torch and looked at the cameras and didn't really settle the Way Phillip hoped - but Phillip is amazing and Simon even on an off day was still great scoring on a 40. something - can't quite remember. The US was in second behind Australia - but not by much...
Coach Mark Phillips was high fiving - the riders, horses, grooms, vets, farrier, etc had all done their best so far and it showed - we have a great team - all people have their job that as important as the others... without one doing it right, it would all fall apart -
cross country recap tomorrow... For now - we have made it safely back to Aston Farm - the horses have enjoyed a great day out in the paddocks - much deserved...
more soon....

So much to tell....

I am so sorry about being delinquent - been a very crazy few days!!!
All is well here in Hong Kong and I promise a FULL report as soon as my head stops spinning!
So much has been good and so much has been disappointing - good news is that all the horses have come through the event very well looking a bit sassy. Riders are all good too, except Amy Tryon who is stuck in the hospital with an infection in her knee - an old injury that got aggravated when she fell on cross country. She is well on the mend and is looking forward to the next ride!
We are all looking forward now to see what we can do to be more successful - sponsorships, training camps, fund raisers, etc. All very positive ideas to make the team better. We have two years to get it right before we host the World Championships in Lexington, KY - so all is starting now -
Mandiba left Virginia a boy and is coming home a man - I told him he had "little shoes to fill" when he got on the plane. Even though the results didn't show it - he far exceeded everyone's expectations. The cross country was a four star track and all came up very fast - 39 jumping efforts in 8 minutes. I am so proud of him and Karen for getting it done.
More day by day details soon, I promise - horses leave at 6am tomorrow for England and then back to the US on the 19th. The grooms are off to a fancy lunch - and then packing, packing, packing....
more soon....

Rain and rain and rain and.....

So - when they say that typhoons bring a ton of rain - they really aren't kidding. We (Emma Ford, Phillip's groom) woke up this morning to a note under our door to say there was a level 3 warning. OK - so that means it is going to rain - by the time the riders got to the barn at 6:30 it was upgraded to a level 8. Level 8 means that the stock market is closed, the government offices are closed, no school, etc. Off the riders ran back to the athletes' village before the shuttles stopped. The grooms spent the morning watching the sky POUR water over Hong Kong - I think that is why the city is so clean. We didn't dare venture out of the barns, and the horses weren't allowed out of the stable area. The morning was quiet - we read our books, polished some brass, brushed our horses, drank some coffee and had some naps - could have been worse!
The riders did venture back around 1:30 to clearing(ish) sky and got on for a bit of flat work before the next squall came through. They went ahead with the jumping under the lights in the main ring as planned. The US really lucked out - we again got a window of time where we didn't get completely drenched. The horses went really well in the ring - all are feeling really confident!
We had a great gallop yesterday - there was a bit of cloud cover and a breeze, so the horses pulled up remarkably well. The much agonized over poor air quality has been unseen so far - there is humidity - but little pollution.
The riders get to see the cross country tomorrow for the first time - all reports are that is is an amazing course - Michael Etherington-Smith is the designer who also does the course at Rolex - so no surprise that it's well designed! We do hear that it is quite twisty - we'll see what the riders have to say tomorrow. The grooms are going up to Beas River (where the x-c is) tomorrow as well to get the lay of the land before we have to ship there on Sunday afternoon.
Tomorrow brings dressage lessons in the AM and time in the main ring with the dressage ring and judges' stands all set up tomorrow night.
sleep for now -
Sorry for the lack of photos - we have been told we are not allowed to post photos until after the games are done - for security purposes... sorry!
more soon.

The waiting game....

We feel like we've been here for weeks already - we want the excitement to begin, but we have to be patient. Dressage today for everyone in a ring - getting the cobwebs out from a week away from "the box." The horses didn't have many to dust off - so we have left the morning feeling pretty good. Becky, Amy and Karen all had a quick jump today as well - horses are coping with the heat better than expected.
Tomorrow will be a good test as we are having a bit of a gallop on the race course - misting tents have been set up all over the venue to ensure we can help the horses whenever we need to - Dougie Hannom, our stable manager and go-to guy, has brought with him the "Ice Horse" cooling system - the ice water gets pumped out of a bucket and onto the horses through a hose that is attached to a sweat scraper with holes - so the water is getting scraped off before it has time to heat up. And it's much quieter for the horses than having people with sponges flying all over them. We'll give it a test run tomorrow....
Weather is HOT today - Level 1 typhoon warning (they go up to 12) which apparently means some winds with high humidity... yuck, very sticky air.
The US jumpers arrive Wednesday with the rest of the remaining incoming horses - so the venue will be booked by then. Horses and riders continue to work in the early morning and the late night - the barns are closed from 12pm to 3pm, meaning the horses are not allowed out of the barn - great time for naps and adventures.
Wednesday brings us more dressage in the morning and then each country is allowed 10 minutes in the evening in the big ring under the lights with some jumps. The show jumping will be at night for both the individual and the team competition. Thursday night we are allowed the same with the dressage ring set up. Friday is the jog at 4pm - HOT - and dressage begins early Saturday AM.
It will all be here soon and be gone even sooner - taking a deep breath and letting it all soak in.
more soon

Riders arrive, bright lights, BIG city

Still cannot believe that I am here.... SO AMAZING
The riders got here yesterday around 2pm; tired, but not too weary - very excited to see their horses so well. The grooms had been for their 1 hour morning hand graze and we got the chance to walk them around the main arena. The arena area itself is quite big with the stands far enough away to not make you feel too claustrophobic. Back in the air-conditioned stables, the horses have learned to become very comfortable with the cooler temp (around 68 degrees). We have been trying to get them out walking a few times a day to help get them used to the heat. We have been lucky with the weather so far, and most days feel like a hot day in Virginia in July. So much to learn on the vet side of this trip... so enjoying that.
At night here at the Sha Tin race course, it turns into daylight with every arena lit up for practice and schooling. We had the horses out again last night for a walk in the "dark" to make sure they would be okay with the lights. It is so bright, there are no shadows.
We are walking through the arenas with the best dressage and event horses ever - takes your breath away - and we are all here to do the same thing and hoping for the same result. Yet everyone has respect for each other and doesn't get in each other's way.
We are having fun getting to know the dressage riders, grooms and horses. Love Brentina - she is such a lady, so poised and so sweet. And Ravel has a fabulous pony mane that gives him the character that makes him dance the way he does... We will get to know the jumper crew when they get here on Wednesday -
The US event horses are very well - all had a great hack this am and a quick flat in the main arena with their riders.
Mandiba continues to amaze me - he is the youngest on the team by 5 years and has no real right to be here, except that he has had the best of the best his whole life: he was bred by William Micklem in Ireland - William has found Biko, Custom Made, Giltedge, Jokers Wild, Prince Panache and many others for Karen and David for many years. 5 years ago, Karen called him while we were in England for the summer getting ready for Burghley and Blenheim and told him she had a wonderful owner that really wanted a quality young horse - Mandiba was 4 then and was out in the field due to lack of time on his part to work with him. We got the pictures and sent them to longtime supporter and friend, Joan Goswell - we knew William had never steered them wrong, so she bought him sight unseen - the rest is history. William and Joan have continued to be great pen pals keeping up with Mandiba's achievements, and this is by far the most exciting so far. We are very proud of him to just be here... no more, no less.
The grooms got a night in Hong Kong tonight for dinner with our riders - we walked down the street from the hotel where they are staying - BIG city, many people, very clean and such great energy! Really fun dinner - back for night check and now time for sleep -
More soon....