One quick look at the World Equestrian Games countdown clock in Eventing Nation’s sidebar lets you know that the WEGs are approaching with incredible speed. This weekend, the teams are either traveling to the US or having a few last training sessions at home.
US Team Update: Oded Shimoni worked with the US riders on the dressage Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, the US horses will gallop up the same track as seen on our infamous Saturday morning gallop video. One big concern that I had with the US training sessions being held at Chattahoochee Hills is that the Georgia clay is dry and hard right now. But, the Chattahoochee Hills staff has aggravated the gallop over 6 times, and Mr. Bouckaert has put down two inches of sand and carpet shreddings over the entire gallop at great expense. The riders tell me that the mile long gallop now has “world class” footing. The horses will run up the gallop 2-3 times, with the already fit and fresh Thoroughbreds taking it a bit easier and the horses that still need to add a bit of fitness running a bit faster.
The riders and grooms all worked hard to clear rocks from the gallop Friday afternoon.
Thanks to Boyd for sending the photo
After the Saturday gallop, the US horses will have a light day on Sunday and then flatwork with Oded and jumping with Katie Prudent to start off next week. Also, the word is that morale is quite high among the riders and the USEF folks have done a great job keeping everyone happy and working together during what is always a tense time.
Boyd’s blog is the place to go for a look at Boyd’s living accommodations and more great Chattahoochee photos, including the team photo Boyd sent us yesterday.
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Canadian Team Update: The fighting Maple Leafs galloped early Friday morning in Ocala, Flordia, where the sand always provides good footing. The Canadians will compete at a dressage schooling show at the Florida Horse Park on Saturday. All of the Canadian horses are on a set schedule, predetermined by their fearless leader, David Captain Canuck. Yes, the only purpose of that last sentence was to use the phrase ‘Captain Canuck.’
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British Team Update: The eventers from Great Britain are getting in a few final training sessions this weekend before leaving for Liege, Belgium on the 21st, and from there they will fly to Cincinnati, Ohio. Patricia from Ecogold filmed some of the British training sessions that were held publicly at the Blenheim three-day.
Go to Ecogold’s blog for more videos
Piggy French chats with the crowd about preparing for the Games
Team Great Britain has a fun team blog that gives insight into how the British support staff and riders from other sports who have already arrived in the States are getting on. Thanks to lec for sending us that link.
Go eventing.
