Lynn & Donner. Photo via USEF High Performance FB.
Today was a jump school day for some of the riders from Team USA, as show jumping coach Silvio Mazzoni has officially arrived in Chantilly to help out with preparations in the last week leading up to the WEG. Canadian riders, while still looking significantly chillier than their American counterparts, also enjoyed a jump school today with Clayton Fredericks, and then topped the day off with some team bonding on the canals!
We cannot go any further without acknowledging the disappointment of today, Michael Jung has officially withdrawn the defending champion, La Biosthetique Sam FBW. It would have been such a treat to see him try for a double World Championship! Translated from Michael’s FB page:
“Without SAM for the World Cup :'( Sure that all have noticed… Sam suddenly has a warm hoof and is a bit lame, so we had to make the decision not to take him to the World Cup unfortunately. This has of course hit me like a blow, and I could imagine nothing better than to ride with Sam for the team and to take into attack the project “title defense”.
But now is the time for fischerRocana! We will give everything and now hope even more for your support! This morning Rocaná completed a good dressage training and today Sam and Rocaná had a nice walk at noon. As you can see in the photos Sam is also in a good mood and does not understand why he is only walking :)”
Photo via Michael Jung’s FB.
Kim is getting ready for her fourth WEG appearance, and Sparky is getting ready for his first. Look at that confident face though, he can’t WAIT to kill some cross country next Saturday!
Sparky looking handsome! Photo courtesy of USEF High Performance FB.
Sparky would also like you to know that he travels with a lucky stall sign, given to him at Fair Hill last fall by Shannon Brinkman’s young daughter. It’s a portrait!
Photo courtesy of Lisbeth Storandt.
Well wishers will be glad to know that Mighty Nice, “Happy”, has arrived safe and sound in Chantilly, fully recovered from his minor colic scare of last week. He will spend his time in France preparing for his big Burghley debut the week following the WEG.
Happy taking a stroll in Chantilly. Photo courtesy of Lisbeth Storandt.
Phillip is having a great time with Trading Aces, or Oscar. Their relationship has been a short one, but very successful so far, and they are getting along very well!
Photo courtesy of Lisbeth Storandt.
If you’re worried that Team USA is working too hard, don’t! They are still finding ways to have fun, like visiting the Museum of the Horse in Chantilly.
Photo courtesy of Hannah Sue’s FB.
Ginny is ready to practice her fancy dressage moves with Annabelle Scrimgeour! She’s wearing her beautiful Frilly Fillies thinking cap, and Hawley is wearing her own Charles Owen thinking cap!
Photo courtesy of Hawley Bennett Awad.
All of Team Canada got to go on a very cool canal boat trip today, and it looks like they had a blast!
Photo courtesy of Hawley Bennett Eventing
Photo courtesy of Selena O’Hanlon.
I love following the German team on social media, because aside from the Americans and Canadians, they are the most active! They also win the award for the highest percentage use of smileys. Translated from Ingrid Klimke’s FB page:
“Today we made loose dressage work in the square and got valuable tips from Chris – lovely in the sun with best conditions in a relaxed atmosphere. What a joy to work this way! Dream Job!”
Photo via Ingrid Klimke’s FB.
Five days to go!!
5 days to go! @normandie2014 #WEG #JEM2014 pic.twitter.com/q2VskXb72T
— Eventing Consultant (@EventingConsult) August 18, 2014
