Photos by Leslie Threlkeld – All Rights Reserved 

Check out photos from Thursday’s morning and afternoon session.  Photos by Leslie Threlkeld. All Rights Reserved. 

Eventing at WEG is finally here!  Being the perpetual procrastinator I am (which makes John crazy), I’m scrambling at the last minute to be sure I have all the necessary items packed…camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards, laptop…oh and I guess I should pack clothes…and apparently rain gear.  Do you know how hard it is to find a poncho?  You’d think they’d be near the umbrellas but nooo, I have to get a decorated poncho from the Alabama/Auburn paraphernalia section.  And since I donated my last pair of Wellies to a student construction crew who covered them in cement and let it dry, plan B in case it starts raining (because I’m not carrying extra shoes around) is to wrap my feet in grocery bags.  So much for being discreet.  Jimmy Wofford suggested also packing a fleece.  A fleece?  At first I wasn’t even sure where mine was (this being the Deep South and all).  I finally found it at the bottom of the pile in the laundry room, right where I’d thrown it when I cleaned out my car last spring.

I’m feeling a range of emotions right now.  I’m super excited because, I mean, it’s WEG.  On the other hand, I’m totally nervous, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be feeling any better until I have my press pass in hand, my photographer’s vest on, and locate the media tents at the park.  This is the biggest event I’ve ever been to as a spectator and especially as a member of the media (unless you count AEC this year, which had over 700 horses.  This time I’m only responsible for keeping up with 85).  Plus, I’m hoping my little camera and I can produce some decent photos.  I hear long lenses are coming in handy.  The best I’ve got is 300mm and no teleconverter to help me out (what I’m poor).

It’s been chaos leading up to now, and it’s only going to get crazier.  There are so many cool things I want to see and do besides the event itself!  I’ll kill two birds with one stone when I do a cross-country preview.  Not only will you get to see the jumps up close, but I’ll have a chance to scope out the best spots for photos.  I also hope to catch Jimmy Wofford’s course walk, and there’s no way I’m missing the Bourbon tasting!  My bank account is already echoing pitifully, so I won’t be doing much shopping, but I do like perusing through the vendor areas just to see what there is to see besides all the usual stuff we expect.  (I say that, but last time I was at the park I came back with a new saddle.)

I’m hitting the road in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.  Unfortunately, I’m going to miss jogs.  I’ll probably be driving through the most barren and boring area of Tennessee by then, singing obnoxiously and gulping coffee.  But assuming all goes well (like my car doesn’t break down and there actually is a photo pass with my name on it), the game is on when I reach the park!  I know our mantra is usually “Go Eventing” but because I’m feeling as giddy as a school girl, we’ll go with my nerdy phrase from childhood that can be found doodled in just about every grade school notebook I have (I’m wondering why I still have them too)… 

HORSES RULE!

I’ve never been much for “team spirit.”  I wasn’t on any school teams, mostly because I was at the barn all the time.  In college I watched more games at home because I preferred to avoid the crowded student section where I wasn’t allowed to sit down for 4 hours.  But something has changed since then… suddenly I’m a FAN.  I’m planning posts around games, and I’m the annoying screaming neighbor in the building on game day.  Now the World Equestrian Games are almost here…this is even better than football…an Olympics with nothing but horses.  Sweet.  I keep picturing myself cheering for the USA after their nail-biting win at the Games while looking through a camera lens and simultaneously nailing the perfect shot.  How I’m going to physically pull that off eludes me, but I’m feeling pretty good about my team.  And unlike the high-fiving old guys at the sports bar on Saturday, I’ll refrain from chanting.

Sport Horse Nation is rolling right along, and we’re starting to hear about successful sales.

“Thanks for all your efforts getting ________’s ad ‘out there.’  He did not sell as a result, but we did get some inquiries, mostly on price.  Some tire kickers, some legitimate.  All in all, I thought it was a great value for the money.  I would definitely place another ad with you.  Keep up the good work!”

“Trouble is SOLD!!!!  I’m sure it is because of all his exposure on SHN.  VERY SATISFIED CUSTOMER.  [He went] to a REALLY nice home.”

“Wanted to let you know that ________ sold from your website within 24 hours of posting!!!!  Couldn’t have done without you and I will be using your site again in the future!”

That’s what I like to see!  Results!  So if you’ve got a horse for sale and are considering posting a classified on Sport Horse Nation, just think about all the bang you’ll get for your buck.  Each ad spends a little time at the top of the front page, so it’s the first thing viewers see when they reach the page.  We also post a link to each classified on the Facebook fan page, and it posts to the SHN Twitter page.  Ads also gets featured in a Sport Horse Nation recap, like this one, on Eventing Nation.  Just check out all the gorgeous, athletic horses for sale that we have posted lately:

(oh yeah, and the ad doesn’t have to be about a horse, just horse related.  Consider attending this schooling show for practice between trials)

Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010 – Foxhill Eventing Combined Test & Schooling Show: Affordable friendly schooling for eventers, don’t need to enter dressage to jump! Sand footing, plenty of parking and warmup.  www.foxhilleventing.com">

Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010 – Foxhill Eventing Combined Test & Schooling Show: Affordable friendly schooling for eventers, don’t need to enter dressage to jump! Sand footing, plenty of parking and warmup.  www.foxhilleventing.com

Thoroughly Fun Eventer: Colony Times is a 16H, 9-yr-old TB mare who loves eventing. Colony has clear rounds in stadium and cross country and performs very well in dressage. She has wonderful ground manners and loves to be around people. She qualified for the 2010 USEA Eventing Championships in the Novice division.  Described as Willing, Well-Mannered, Fun

Amazing Athletic Prospect: Bay, 16.2 TB G 2003 48 lifetime starts, impeccable cared for horse, spotless legs and excellent feet. Let down 4/2010 re-started and looking for a job. JW has an incredible work ethic a real “Yes Can Do” type. He has natural rhythm on the flat, an enthusiastic mover with big sweep gaits, loft and cadence. For a green OTTB jumping came to this horse like a duck to water, not a single hesitation.  Described as Enthusiastic, Athletic, Rideable

Upper Level Prospect: 

Blank Page is a 5yo, 16.1, chestnut Tb, gelding w/ tons of chrome.  

He had only two starts before retirement.  He has no vices, is clean legged and very sound.  

He has lots of flash and grabs everyone’s attention.  He is a wonderful mover w/ a fantastic jump and work ethic.  He made his eventing debut this spring after training and schooling in Aiken all winter.  Described as Super!

Thoroughbred Yearling Filly, Free to a Good Home!: Bay TB yearling filly, born April 2009.  Should mature 16+ hands.  Sound, elegant filly.  Good attitude, very friendly, would make a lovely sport horse prospect.

Power in a Small Package: 7 yr. 15.2 TB gelding: Brother Thomas is a cute little guy with a big jump. He has lots of power in that hind end and is really liking his new job as an event horse (came off the track in Fall of ’08). He is getting very brave on XC and loves the water. 

“Agent 99” Beautiful Paint Mare: 

8 yr old 16.2h TB/WB cross mare for sale. Evented successfully through Training and schooled Preliminary with plenty of scope to go further. Very good mover and fantastic, scopey jumper. Described as Fancy, Beautiful, Scopey

Prelim Packer: Straight paces and scopey bold jump. Nice forward going ride. Nothing fazes him & he is not at all spooky. Capable of doing a decent dressage test – scored 33.6 at his first intermediate.  Hacks alone and in company.  This horse is a complete machine cross country very straight and honest.  Described as Ribbon-winning schoolmaster

Fantastic Pony Club, Eventing or Show Jump Welsh Pony!!: “Oliver Twist” 13.2 hand 13 year old grey Welsh pony gelding. This pony can jump the moon, but easy enough for a beginning rider. He has taken his current 12 year old rider to her C-1 rating and taken others through their C-2 rating. Ollie is sadly outgrown and ready to show a new child the ropes. Described as Safe, Scopey, School Master

Cetano: 5yo ISH, Rose Grey, 16.2hh, Gelding: Gelding recently imported from England in July 2010. Cetano is a super mover, great temperment, Lovely jumper. Very brave and easy to ride. Goes in snaffle in all phases. Has competed thru Training Level in Europe.  Described as Athletic, Competitive, Talented

Ally Oop Talented Novice Packer with scope for more: Talented mare for immediate sale. Ally is 11 years old and 16 hands. Ally is not mareish and not the typical TB either. Dressage in the low 30’s everytime and never touches a rail in stadium. Never had a soundness issue. Very easy to shoe, can go barefoot behind. Described as Talented, Sweet, Scopey

Eventer for Sale: Wilhelmina a 10 year old, 15 hand, Connemara/Holsteiner. Qualified for both Novice and Training AEC’s 2010. Solid Training level horse but has competed through Preliminary. Described as Safe, Honest, Competitive

It’s super easy to get a classified posted on Sport Horse Nation.  Here is what you do: 

1. Fill out and email the following to[email protected]:

–Title (less than 50 characters):

–Description: (please include the age, size, and breed of the horse in your classified)

–3 adjectives that describe the horse: (this will be used to help potential buyers search for particular qualities they want in their next horse)

–Picture (in .jpg format): (if it is a professionally captured photograph, please be sure you have reproduction rights to use the image in a sale ad.  If you’re not sure, just contact the photographer)

–Location of the horse

–Price of the horse or a price range in alignment with a, b, c, d, or e price categories in the sidebar

–Contact information:

–Youtube video (optional)

2. Submit $15 for the posting (mail a check or submit payment through Paypal.  More information about payment options is available on Sport Horse Nation.

And you’re done!  We’ll handle the rest.  You’ll get a confirmation email letting you know we received the ad, and we’ll stay in close contact with you should either party have questions or concerns and make sure the ad meets your expectations.

If you’ve got a horse for sale that will be competing at the American Eventing Championships this week, now is the perfect time to get him or her posted!

Even if you aren’t in the market for a horse, you’ll want to peruse Sport Horse Nation for the educational editorials, fun fake ads, and hours of wishful thinking.

www.SportHorseNation.com

We caught up with Canadian Chef d’equipe Graeme Thom and the got in on the team’s schedule between now and the Games. Team Canada is really going for it, and I, for one, am rooting for them. They’ve got quality horses, intuitive riders, and as you’ll see, a dedicated support group. Thanks for taking the time to talk with us Graeme, and thanks for reading!

1) We’ve been talking about Canadian Eventing a lot of Eventing Nation. What would you say contributes to the country’s increased competitiveness the last few years?

“Number 1 there has been a much greater commitment by our riders over the last few years and it’s showing up in results. In addition, David’s involvement has been fantastic. Not that he has access to all of the riders full time, but his coaching and training program philosophies have been very instrumental to results. We wouldn’t be where we are without him.

“As well, we’ve really built a team compliment around everything. Dr. Christiana Ober, our vet and the team farrier, Randy Pawlak, are great. There is much more structure too. David and I got together around the time of the last WEG and started working together with the team. Since then the competitive bar has been raised; riders have made commitments, sacrifices, they’ve really raised the game.”

2) How has it been working with David O’Connor?

“The riders get along with David’s coaching style. There’s a lot of respect for David, his competition record stands on its own. But his coaching style is very descriptive; he really breaks everything down. He doesn’t ever ask for results without defining how to get them. Every lesson is productive and provides something for everyone.

“David is also very respective of the riders and their capabilities; he adapts well to different personalities. From my point of view it has been a good relationship. David and I see eye to eye on many things and when we don’t we easily sort things out. I usually beat him on the golf course which is devastating for him.”

3) What is the schedule between now and the Games?

“From the AEC we go to Florida to Ms. Jacqui Mars’ farm where David and Karen are based in the winter. Ms. Mars is gracious enough to let us use the facility for training. We’ll be there from the 13th-24th. We’ve actually been based there for the Pan Ams in 2007 and the last Olympics, 2008, and just found it to be a wonderful facility.

“It’s a well known area for all the riders. And the footing is fantastic. The amount of moisture and rain in the area for the time of year guarantees great footing, which is important for final gallops and the last few days before the event. The team will be announced in and around the 15th of September. Countries are allowed six riders: four team, and two individual.”

4) The Canadians had an incredibly successful weekend at Richland. What are your expectations for the team at the AEC’s and WEGs?

“Our expectations for the AEC’s are to maintain momentum and confidence. It is a final prep outing and we are using it for that. Carl Bouckaert has been a great sponsor of the sport and I am looking forward to the competition. The great success at Richland on the weekend is very encouraging, but you can’t hang your hat on one event. It showed that the horses and riders are in good form, are on the right path, and are showing a competitive nature.

“Our goal at the WEG is we hope to be in the top five. With the quality of riders and horses that we have, we believe that we can make it work. I hope I’m not going to jinx it by talking about it.”

5) How is Canada strengthening team camaraderie?

“Of the eight, five have been on teams before. I’m comfortable based on how the program has evolved. It’s interesting because people compete against each other all year and then suddenly you throw them into a team atmosphere. But they are spectacular individuals and they are all rooting for each other. Of course, barbecues and group hugs will reinforce everything.”

6) Tell us about yourself and your own career with horses.

“I started riding late, like really late. I don’t think I owned my first horse outright until my 30s. I trained in Canada primarily with Peter Grey in the summer and Bruce Davidson in the US during winter. I trained with Bruce for 13 years. I was fortunate to have some nice horses and under his tutelage, I got to compete at some three stars including Blenheim. I did well at some and terrible at others.

“Having spent time with Bruce, I really appreciated how competitive the sport is, and what it takes to be at the top. Bruce has spent literally decades at the top of the sport which is very unique. I mean, how can you not learn from someone with that sort of record. His philosophy of coaching and what I learned with him has definitely translated to my enthusiasm and commitment for the team.”

7) How does one become a Chef d’equipe?

“I became chef because I sit on the High Performance committee, chaired by Grit High, which is a group of fantastic volunteers that make things work. There has just been huge involvement from our committee, a lot of volunteers spending a lot of time making it happen in addition to several other committees.

“Basically we wanted to split the role between the coach and the Chef. With David’s schedule we thought the chef should be the liaison between the team and the High Performance committee. I was honored with the position. David and I had gotten together and chatted four or five years ago and took on our roles at the same time. We saw eye to eye on how to increase competition for the team and what we wanted Canada to be. It has worked out really well.”

8) While the riders are preparing to compete, how are you preparing yourself for the Games?

“Trying to mentally prepare for all the stuff that has to happen between now and then. You can only hope that you for-see what might happen and be prepared to deal with it. You have to get your head into it. It’s going to be a grind, but this is what you work for. There’s going to be a lot of work hours, not a lot of off hours; this is what we’ve prepared for. It’s important to keep the enthusiasm high for everyone.”

9) What will be the biggest challenges between now and the Games?

“On the team side, hopefully keeping all the horses fit and sound. Making sure that all the logistical planning over the past year works out and doesn’t become a distraction for the riders. At this stage it is all about the riders, their horses and being comfortable that we can tell our owners that we did all we could for their combinations.”

10) Any other thoughts?

“My biggest worry is what John’s design for the team hat will be.”

In case you missed it, here is a great interview with Graeme Thom on the Eventing Radio Show (episode 93).  Get a closer look at the individual horse and riders combinations on the short list.

Getting new riding boots is so great, but breaking them in is so painful!  This very moment, I sit before my computer monitor wearing new field boots that have passed the “worst blister you’ve ever had” phase and moved on to “sawing your leg in half at the knee.”

My old boots had had it.  The leather was so soft I could roll them up like a sleeping bag, and I had to stuff them with socks to make them fit properly.  It was time.

Luckily, the only tack store in the area was having a “back to show” sale and I got a great deal on a new pair.  Because it’s just my luck, my leg is between sizes.  The smaller size is snug as a smashed bug, and a size up could practically fit both legs in one boot.  Since I’m not snazzy enough for customs at this young age in my life, I go with the smaller size, hoping that a lot of stretching and swearing will make them bearable with time.  Regardless, they look darn good compared to the old dusties.

Several hours later, friend K stood behind me, her arms looped through mine as we both clung to the flimsy plastic chair in the tack room.  Friend E was at the other end, one boot between her legs and one pushing firmly against her backside.  While E yanked and pulled, Friend P pointed and laughed.  Stupid boots!!I

I rode the next horse with a tall boot on one leg and half chaps on the other.  It’s a good look, I think it could catch on.

New boots are great, breaking them in is awful.  And you forget, between pairs, just how awful.  I know what you’re thinking though.  Why not zip-ups?  Without going into all the specific reasons why, it’s mostly because I’m old-fashioned and poor.

I’ve heard a lot of tips and tricks about how best to break in a new pair of boots, but I can’t vouch for any of them because I’m too chicken to try anything crazier than the economy sized box of Band-aids and clearing my schedule of any activities involving tennis shoes.

What have you found to be the best way to break in a new pair of boots?

Can anyone explain “the bathtub trick?”

What should you NOT do with a new pair of boots?

Experienced Preliminary Horse: Wiley Post, aka “Max” is a 16.1h, 8 year old bay Thoroughbred gelding with extensive miles at preliminary.

Watson’s Bruin, Green but Gorgeous: A delight to ride with quiet easy aids and a happy mouth snaffle.