France: where even the cows are patriotic. Photo courtesy of FFE Equipes de France FB.
The two days of dressage are officially over! I’m thrilled to report that Team USA did us proud, and currently stand in bronze medal position after the first phase. Our reporters, Jenni and Leslie, are doing an incredibly admirable job, especially considering the conditions that they are operating out of, and I take my hat off to them! I love looking at social media during the day and catching the riders personal posts and reactions; it’s a wonderful insight into the experience of riding at the WEG. Check out some highlights!
This one is definitely one of my favorites …Team USA: where everyone stands with their hands on their hips while walking cross country!
Photo courtesy of USEF High Performance FB.
Second favorite: Maxime Livio an Qalao des Mers during their final halt. If that doesn’t tell you how well these horses are holding it together in the atmosphere, I don’t know what does!
Photo courtesy of Maxime Livio’s FB.
Hawley Bennett definitely wins an award for one of the biggest smiles after she and Ginny put in their best test at this level to date. If I had to tackle that course tomorrow, I think I’d pick Ginny as my mount!
Photo courtesy of Hawley Bennett’s FB.
Check out this perfect TEN halt from Lynn Symansky and Donner! So into this pair, probably another horse that I think I would choose to battle the mud on Pierre’s course tomorrow.
Photo courtesy of Lynn Symansky Equestrian FB.
Selena O’Hanlon had her best test to date with Foxwood High, and is totally thrilled with Woody’s performance. This is his second CCI4* after his debut at Rolex this spring.
.@SelenaOHanlon before she strutted her stuff at #WEG2014. 4 great rides by the Cdn Team! pic.twitter.com/9qCXqnY03y
— Goforthegoal.ca (@g4gathletes) August 29, 2014
The sun came out for competition today; check out this early morning view of Sparky and his groom Lisbeth out for an early walk.
Photo courtesy of Joanie Morris.
Sadly, one of my all time favorite pairs and an extremely competitive combination were withdrawn in the warmup for dressage. Victoria has had a rough year, with a hoof bruise that kept her out of Badminton, thousands of dollars of tack stolen from her this spring and then this at the WEG.
Rumoured that Borough Pennyz went lame in the final warm-up, hence Vittoria Panizzon’s withdrawal. #WEG — Horse & Hound (@horseandhound) August 29, 2014
Maybe it’s just a Canadian thing, but Jessie Phoenix is in the competition for biggest post dressage smile as well. Pavarotti was such a good boy!
Photo courtesy of Phoenix Equestrian Team FB.
Yeah Blyth! We love Eventing Geeks!
WEG geek. Not planning on missing a thing pic.twitter.com/FQfuCtgz1W
— Blyth Tait (@BlythTait) August 29, 2014
I think to say that Jock Paget’s comeback is one of the best stories of the WEG is a little bit of an understatement. How much he and his team suffered through the past long months — to come here and be successful would be the sweetest return.
Crowd going mad. 38 and second place. Everyone at #WEG2014 happy @JockPaget is back – what a story that would be!! pic.twitter.com/b6EY1ViNSA
— Eventing Consultant (@EventingConsult) August 29, 2014
“We wouldn’t be in bronze medal position without all of our owners and supporters! Here they are on a course walk with the team coach while the riders have a final look at the course individually. Go Team USA, and thanks to everyone who helps make it possible.”
Photo courtesy of USEF High Performance FB.
Sparky says, “LET’S GO CROSS COUNTRY NOW!” I’m pretty sure he is amongst the population of horses that are plenty happy that dressage is over and done with.
Photo courtesy of USEF High Performance FB.
And finally, the saga of terrible situations at WEG comes to a full halt: the bathrooms are closed for the media. I mean….really??!! WHAT?!
Scratch that on “at least the media bathroom isn’t closed” #ArmageddonWEG #WEG2014 #holditin #fullbladder pic.twitter.com/EPSPQF9pFH
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) August 29, 2014
Let the cross country games begin!!
Photo courtesy of Bea Di Grazia
