The helmet visors that were handed out in the rider packets are all the rage here at Bromont, especially when used without a helmet, as demonstrated by Shanon Kinsley. I strongly suggest that all of the riders use them in such a way when unmounted this weekend–all the cool kids are doing it.
With the majority of the approximately 150 Bromont competitors arriving on Tuesday the barns have started to fill up and the practice arenas are bustling with horses. The first mission for the riders upon arrival is to make sure their horses are settled in for a weekend of hard work. Most of the rides I watched today were focused on a relaxed and stretching progression through basic movements. Boyd mentioned to me that Neville was feeling a bit under the weather after his arrival last night but he is looking better today. The mood at Bromont is a little more tense than previous years with the majority of US and Canadian high performance pairs getting ready to ride for their Olympic dreams this weekend.
Here are a few pictures and observations from Tuesday:
The first step after moving in is a barn inspection by the FEI vet with a quick examination of the horse. Next up is usually getting your packet/number and then perhaps a walk or quick ride for the horses.
I was thrilled to see Caitlin Silliman and Catch A Star looking spectacular in their lesson with Silva Martin. Catch A Star “Hoku” of course suffered sever burns in the True Prospect Fire last Memorial Day weekend, but after a remarkable recovery the mare looks absolutely superb and I am hoping for great things from them this weekend in the CCI3*.
Wendy Lewis and Mastercraft of New Jersey looked great working their counter-canter loops.
Buck and his CCI* partner Santa’s Keeper worked through a few fresh bucks this morning, drawing a few smiles from around the warmup arena including from Buck’s dad Bruce. Buck told me after the ride that Santa’s Keeper is an OTTB from Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky. The Thoroughbred is really striking to watch and I’m excited to keep an eye on them this weekend.
Trading Aces is a recent addition to Boyd’s arsenal of top horses. They are competing in the CCI3* this weekend and although Trading Aces won’t factor into Olympic selection this year he is definitely a horse to keep an eye on for Normandy 2014. Jude’s Law was a half brother to Trading Aces and I see much of the same reserved but very strong athleticism in Trading Aces that I saw in Jude. Boyd took a lesson from his wife Silva with straightness as the main focus.
It was all business for Michael Pollard and Schoensgreen Hanni. The team at Pollard Eventing has done a fantastic job of rallying together after the tragic trailer accident that took three of their top horses. Everyone will be cheering Michael and the “Hanni Badger” along this weekend in the CCI3*.
Becky Holder worked Comet through a few movements before taking him for a long hack.
Karen warmed RF Amber Eyes up with some canter two-point. I love this technique to get horses with a sensitive back moving and supple.
The track around the Bromont cross-country course is well used for long hacks. Many of the of the riders took their horses for a walk to relax and stretch after their flat work today.
“You don’t mind if I do some gardening with this giant gas weed wacker during your dressage lesson, do you?”
The first horse inspections begin at 3:00pm ET on Wednesday. I want to end with a shout out to the entire EN Team for holding down the EN compound and feeding the chinchillas while I fight spotty internet and cell phone reception in Canada this week.
Go eventing.
