LaurenGallops

We’ve gone back to school – oh happy day! – yours truly and our young Connemara, Landgate Lord Peter. We enjoy the process of bringing along young/green or OTTBs equines, and Lord Peter has been a very special project – worth every minute of the years invested in earning his trust and defusing his startle buttons. We’re very excited about this next chapter in Peter’s lifestory. He’s smart, athletic and essentially kind, and now he’s beginning to show his great mind, even in challenging circumstances.

According to a dear friend, an extremely knowledgeable breeder of Connemaras, Landgate Lord Peter is a brilliant representative of the sturdy Irish breed. In fact, she compared Peter’s potential to the great eventing pony Theodore O’Connor and urged us to find a professional who would develop the star potential of Mr. High Octane, as she nicknamed him.

Well, we thought about this and we knew we had to move to a new farm asap with winter encroaching, but we railed against the notion of sending our pony off for training. We won’t go into all the details, because she spoke out of concern for our well-being, but age has nothing to do with making a horse on the flat. Experience and knowledge are key, consistency is a mandatory ingredient in the training recipe. What we needed burst into our brain in a moment of crystal clarity: a good ground person who, if circumstances warranted, could step in to sort out a handling or under saddle issue – Ah-HAH! – Bryan and Brandy McDonald of The Fine Equine Stables.

Bryan’s curriculum vitae is pretty impressive – here’s what made our ears stand at attention:

Professional Show Jumper Rider for Ms. Gay Parkinson. Successfully competed the top imported/exported Connemaras in the world. Showed and successfully competed in show jumping world renowned stallion  “Ashfield Feisty”  the top Connemara Stallion in Ireland.

Competed for Ireland and successfully won the prestigious “Bank of Ireland’s” Irish Permanent Combined Training competition three years in a row. The trophy on behalf of Ireland was eventually retired to Mr. McDonald for his outstanding accomplishment.

Assistant Trainer to Mrs. Mary McKan, founder and owner of Hartwell’s Stud. located in County Killdare, Ireland.  Schooled and handled international Grand Prix and Nations’ Cup Stallions, “Sea Crest ” and his offspring “Cruising.” In addition to working with these top sires, Bryan started many of their offspring under saddle and onto successful show jumping careers.

There’s so much more – experience in Kentucky, race-riding – how old is this guy anyway? Never mind – we liked Bryan and Brandy from the first introduction last May. Asked them to evaluate the pony and they came to us (wow) and loved Lord Peter. We rode first and then Bryan, who told us that his goal was to make Peter even more our horse – that we are perfectly matched.

Bigger wow. When do we move?

Wednesday morning, 27th October, we woke up to rain – gaaah – slight chance of clearing skies. It cleared long enough to load Peter with one of his mini-pals and, with fingers crossed, set out. By the time we turned out Peter by himself, temporarily, in a paddock next to the barn, it was raining steadily and we were soaked to the skin. Peter whinnied lots and had that young horse look in his eyes: where am I? Who are they? Where are you going? Why am I here? ooooh, mud – yucky… think I’ll roll in this hay… WHO ARE YOU? and we are mortified to say that we left him to sort out his new circumstances so that we could finish up the WEG wrap PDQ or else.

By the time we finished sending the photos and returned to The Fine Equine it was dark. En route, we called Brandy who reassured us that Peter was fine, turned out with her very senior horse, the venerable Cashmere (Kashmir), and they were getting along fine and all was well, so don’t feel you have to come out tonight… At that point we were minutes away and we needed to see Peter, to tell him how sorry we were about abandoning him like that…

It was a peaceful brief walk in comfortable country darkness, cloudy sky so not much moonlight whatever phase it was in, and Peter really was fine. His coat felt cool and healthy to the touch. Oh, he was babyish, mouthing and grinding his teeth, letting us know he’d been through a trying afternoon, but everything’s terrific now.

The next day was the best one in ages. We left the laptop at home, alerted editor to call us if anything cropped up, and made tracks for The Fine Equine and Peter. It’s on the other side of Warrenton (VA) in Rappahannock County: if  you keep going west on Rt. 211, you’ll drive into the Blue Ridge Mountains, literally!

Anyhow, we got there and Peter came trotting up to the fence and the next two hours were absolutely fabulous. Bryan was just finishing up in the ring hacking View Finder, by the Irish Sport Horse Carrig View (see photo), and had several more to ride. Peter stood in the aisle for grooming and tacking, we got into the ring after Bryan had already started one of twice weekly ‘walks’ for his timber race mare, I’mACraftyDame.

Bryan McDonald and View Finder, by the ISH Carrig View, in the spacious all-weather ring at The Fine Equine Stables. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

We took a walk around the perimeter fencing, looked at all the jumps, the corner with wishing well standards etc, and then Peter stood like a statue at the mounting block.

30 minutes of sheer bliss! Mostly walking with just two little trots, circles and half-circles, halts, walking over the ground rails – Peter was so good, so soft, so sweet – one of those precious times in life that will sustain us through the bumpy bits and remind us what brings us the most joy – partnership with our horse.

Bryan complimented Peter several times and told us that we were on the right track – just to take it easy and treat him like a green 3 or 4yo for the next couple of weeks. We know that the warm weather had a lot to do with his laid-back attitude, but we also know that this is the season to “flat” this horse (pony – he ‘sticks’ at 14.3), to take advantage of every ‘mild’ afternoon for some under saddle time and to use crisp/breezy days for in-hand work.

Whatchagot? Can I eat it? photo © Lauren R Giannini

Mister Moochie makes his face when we walk back out for one more hug and a few treats (hay extender pellets usually – once in a blue moon he gets a piece of carrot or apple, but definitely nothing with sugar or molasses). We have the camera and really would like a nice photo for this first installment in his CEqE journal.

whatchagot? Camera. can I eat it? Absolutely not, you little dickens. but but but Let us snap one nice photo and you’ll get some hay pellets. sweet!

"About the head of a truly great horse there is an air of freedom unconquerable. The eyes seem to look on heights beyond our gaze. It is the look of a spirit that can soar... It is the birthright of eagles." --John Taintor Foote Photo © Lauren R Giannini

That’s our pony – reminiscent of an old-fashioned English Thoroughbred, pure 100% Connemara and he does have that “look” – but he’s ours and whatever his destiny, we’re going to explore it together. Time will tell. He loves to go on trails, and we hope he takes to foxhunting. Some little shows, little events – whatever he enjoys is what we’ll do and he too will be an ambassador for the Irish sport pony – the “can do it all” Connemara.

We’ve only just begun…

Instead of driving north to shoot the three- and two-star eventing championships at Fair Hill International on the weekend following the closing ceremonies of the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY, we stayed put. But the prospect of a Saturday off didn’t appeal all that much, and thanks to the nice people who handle press credentials for the International Gold Cup Races at Great Meadown, The Plains, VA, we spent Saturday in our backyard, so to speak…

International Gold Cup winner - He's a Conniver - owned by EMO Stables (Betty & Ernie Oare), ridden by Jody Petty, trained by Doug Fout - just another day in the field toting a camera, but it reminded us of what we'd been doing the weekend before... Photo © Lauren R. Giannini

Even with a full race card, there was time to look around, and we pondered how much easier it is to shoot a race meeting, especially if it’s only one day – compared to the marathon that was the Alltech Games, which even provided a chill zone for press and athletes to hang out, use the high speed, watch the action on a big screen, and – if inclined – sample Alltech’s Kentucky Ale and bourbon barrel Ale. (We didn’t get to savor any samples all that often, due to the pressures of the “jog” but we brought some back to VA…)

The Alltech Experience was an incredible village created by a cluster of edifices (tents, but not the usual flimsy canvas things) in the heart of the shopping. A fair walk from the main press center and all the WEG events, except Para-Dressage, which took place in the “covered indoor” (actually the original indoor, which had been supplanted by the construction of the Alltech Arena on the western side of the Kentucky Horse Park.

Suffice it to say that there was no – repeat no – skimping when it came to Alltech’s attention to detail. The decor and landscaping were simply divine, the little touches thoughtful, and vistas like pure photographic eye-candy.

Dr. Lyons was all over the horse park – one minute he was in the Alltech Village, the next he was in the main press center, and he took in a fair amount of the competitions, to boot. The visionary kept his eyes on his creation from start to finish.

We’ve already decided that we’re going to have to spiff up our French – Dr. Lyons and Alltech are title sponsor for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandie, France. We have friends who live in Normandie, not sure how far from the venue, but that’s a minor detail. They’ve already invited us to stay with them.

Meanwhile, it’s time to shut down this writery, let the macbook cool off, and get some sleep. We’ll continue this harking back, but for now we leave you with one thought:

Science, Alltech-style, is more than interesting – it really does look like fun…

Dr. Lyons wants kids of all ages to know that "science is fun" - and the Alltech Experience gave everyone plenty of food for thought. There was a whole lot to do on a daily grounds' pass besides take in various demonstrations and shopping-till-you-dropped (which a few people came close to doing)! photo © Lauren R Giannini

We are absolutely exhausted, and as the adrenaline quiets down to a simmer, we’re too aware of all the aches and pains of carting heavy equipment bags and hoisting telephoto lenses and hiking hither and yon. Granted, we know that we might be in much worse shape if it weren’t for Marty Bauman, along with his Classic Communications team, which included a bunch of volunteers, who arranged for golf cart shuttles to haul us around that huge KY Horse Park.

So, here are a few more moments making memories from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games…

Endurance fans weren't put off by the 7:30 am start of the world championship 100-mile race. They packed both sides of the starting lane. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

Here’s the other half of that Endurance start photo – the system kept trying to turn it on its vertical, so we cropped it in half.

Here’s the other half of that photo:

And they're off! The winner is the bay on the left, Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton (Spain) and Nobby, was surrounded by gray Arabs ridden by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Ciel Oriental), and his son, HE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (SAS Alexis). HH The Sheikhs dashed across the finish line less than two minutes after Maria, earning individual silver and bronze. The bronze indy helped to put the United Arab Emirates on the podium for their first team gold medal at a World Equestrian Games. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

By the way, the gold medal team was comprised of HE Sheikh Hamdan Mohammed Al Maktoum, HE Sheikh Majid Mohammed Al Maktoum, and Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum had chosen to compete as an individual, feeling it was in the best interests of the UAE team. Whatever, HH Mohammed bin Rashid still took home the individual silver medal.

Individual silver medalist HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum weights out. We had the 80-200 telephoto and were lucky to catch this moment. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

That’s a glimpse of the HH, the silver medalist, weighing out… Wonder what HH is thinking – being bested by a female, the wife of the UAE team’s enduro trainer… Would like to have been an Arabic-fluent ‘fly-on-the-wall’ after that 100 miles and they were alone with their entourage of bodyguards…

On the entertainment side, Lyle Lovett and his band played a great set at the Closing Ceremonies – he also attended a press conference during the week.

Lyle Lovett - at least, we think this is Lyle - during closing ceremonies we shot from the opposite end zone to the stage, so we could be wrong... Photo © Lauren R Giannini

In fact, there were a fair number of celebrities at the Alltech Games. We caught up with William Shatner, captain of the Starship Enterprise and star of the great series, Star Trek, at the reception at the Saddlebred Museum with his wife. Shatner acts just like his character in Boston Legal. Winona Judd sang in the opening ceremonies when the horses took center arena between great music by outstanding performers of  opera, bluegrass, country, classical and gospel.

We loved a lot of things about the Alltech World Games – read Erin Gimore’s On The Line posts about the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of the Games. We have our own thoughts – how ‘free enterprise’ turned into all-out greed in terms of lodging and venue food prices, how the results just failed to show up when playing beat-the-clock on deadline, and the fact that we can’t find complete lists of results, including the also rans. If it weren’t for Marty Bauman’s staff at the Main Press Center, we’d have been up a creek without a paddle. The press shuttles ran from the three press hotels (usual rates are reasonable, but whoever thought that the “bargain” rate for press of $130/night (one or two occupants) was fair PLUS being located about an hour from the Kentucky Horse Park… You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear just by jacking up the room rates, But we digress…

Here’s a glimpse of the Press Center staff post-closing ceremonies enjoying the official ale of the Alltech World Games. We admit to buying some  KY Ale and KY bourbon barrel ale – the only real shopping we did, except for an external hard drive (see beginning of this post) on the 11th right before we began that long mountainous trek eastward. Missing are Michelle and Patrick from Ontario, Heather Bailey, John Strassburger, Violet Forbes, and a bunch of others. We were lucky to get this shot as everyone stayed busy the entire duration.

Marty Bauman, center, and some of the Classic Communications staff who helped keep 1100 journalists relatively happy and more or less in line during the 2010 Alltech World Games, enjoying a taste of the title sponsor's official ale of the Games AFTER the closing ceremony. photo © Lauren R Giannini

We still feel humbled and totally impressed with the Para-Dressage Championships. We spent a whole lot of time taking photos, and we’re sorry that there wasn’t greater opportunity to speak with them. The official bios are sketchy at best for many of the equestrians, and the real stories behind the para-riders are fascinating and inspirational, to say the least.

Freestyle gold medalist Dr. Angelika Trabert (GER) and Ariva-Avanti show off their canter work that helped earn first place on a score of 75.90. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

We don’t have any Grade 1b riders, and our Grade II paras, Rebecca Hart and Jonathan Wentz, have their legs even though they have other disabilities with which to contend. If Angelika can canter and score mid-70s with no legs, our riders have a lot to learn about Para-Dressage. They have already discovered that, in order to be competitive with the Europeans, they must cross the big puddle and compete in Europe. Also, they can’t think “equitation” while they’re under the judges’ scrutiny. That five-judge international panel doesn’t give a rat’s rear end what a rider’s disabilities might be – they want to see that horse in a frame and doing some serious dressage – even if it’s an all-walk test for Grade Ia.

Speaking of Ia para-riders – hat’s off to Laura Goldman of Ohio who answered an ad to ride in para-dressage for the USA at the Alltech Games. She performed an incredibly ambitious freestyle. Ia rules say that trotting is optional in a freestyle – and she rose to the trot to enter the arena and proceeded to perform her freestyle trotting. IF IF IF she hadn’t lost her stirrups – she wasn’t able to get them back – she wouldn’t have lost several points. Losing the stirrups must have dented her self-confidence, but we say BRAVA!!! to the young-at-heart 60-something – and if she sees this, please contact us as we want to interview her!

Laura Goldman aboard Carlingford JD, trotting in the Gr Ia Freestyle: cheers to her future in Para-Dressage. The duo finished fourth earlier in the week, but losing stirrups and not regaining them subtracted from their Freestyle score. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

Kim Decker and Dasher’s Destiny are another Ia pair who learned alot and time will tell what this TBI (traumatic brain injury) survivor intends to do with her WEG experience. We kind of got the impression that she was very fired up and inspired. Here’s hoping…

Ooops – out of time – stay tuned for more about the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games!

Kim Decker lifts her arms in a celebratory touchdown salute after completing the Individual Gr Ia test with Dasher's Destiny - a triumph in itself during her first international competition in Para-Dressage. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

It’s almost over – bittersweet, because we’ve only seen bits and pieces of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games – through the viewfinder of our camera and in the hasty processing of editing photos. Has it been fun? In retrospect when we feel more like our sparkly energetic self  (right now, we’re so tired, we could sleep on a clothesline!!!), we might call the Games fun. For the moment, they have been a monumental marathon, merciless and demanding, because it is our commitment to do them justice.

Here are a few photos with captions to bring the Alltech World Equestrian Games into better focus.

One of Belgium's cowgirls, Ann Poels & Whizdom Shines (AQHA) tied for 10th overall individually. Check out the chaps! Photo © Lauren R Giannini

Then, there was the eventing – American hopes were riding pretty high and then Tipperary Liadhnan (“Paddy”) experienced a flare-up of a leg infection after the deadline to declare the team – and so, there was no recourse but to move Karen O’Connor and Mandiba, slated to compete as an individual, to the team. Becky Holder and Courageous Comet soldiered on as individuals, placing fifth in dressage and moving up to third after a brilliant Cross-Country – only to withdraw while held for re-inspection Sunday morning. Comet had lost a front shoe and overcompensated with the other leg.

Becky Holder and Courageous Comet on the world championship cross-country course with a brilliant clear round that put them into third, but a lost front shoe triggered over-compensating strain on the other foreleg. This led to withdrawing when held the next morning for reinspection before the final show jumping test. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

What with one thing and another, we were thrilled and moved to spend a lot of time at para-dressage – making its first ever appearance at the World Equestrian Games. Of special inspiration was this 16 year old from Denmark, born without legs, but you’d never know it to see her New Forest pony half pass, etc. Stinna Tange Kaastrup put her team on the podium for the bronze. She went on to win the Grade Ib individual bronze and the silver medal in Freestyle.

Stinna Tange Kaastrup (DEN) took time after scoring silver and her personal best score of 77.000 % in the Gr. Ib Freestyle Para-Dressage championshp to meet Genevieve, a para-fan who traveled with her family from California to experience the Alltech Games. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

Oops – nearly 6 pm – must get out of the main press center – last one working, of course – and hit the road. More highlights and photos from the closing ceremonies asap – perhaps not until we get back to Virginia, but soon – really!

If you don’t follow international show jumping, you might not recognize the winner and gold medalist, the WORLD CHAMPION of show jumping, Philippe Le Jeune of Belgium, who piloted Vigo D’Arsouilles and three other great horses to clear rounds in the ROLEX World Jumping Championship. Le Jeune has made a fan (short for ‘fanatique’) out of us, for sure. His horsemanship was tactful and his riding quiet. We suspect that he’s reeling from achieving his lifetime dream and will have even more trouble sleeping tonight – albeit not from nerves, from joy and some celebrating!

Philippe Le Jeune achieved a lifelong ambition when he piloted his mount Vigo d'Arsouilles and three others - Hickstead, HH Rebozo and Seldana Di Campalto - to clear rounds in the Rolex FEI World Jumping Championship at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

We couldn’t have asked for a better result, really, since our Americans didn’t make the cut to the Finals where the riders put in four rounds – on their own mounts and then each of the others. To go clear in the company of Eric Lamaze (CAN), who took the bronze medal, Rodrigo Pessoa who finished fourth and out of the medals, and silver medalist Abdullah Al Sharbatly, representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and at 28, the youngest in the final individual title round. Well, the 50-year-old Le Jeune can rest on his laurels tonight. He rode brilliantly, tactfully, and deserved the standing ovation and enthusiastic cheers.

Le Jeune’s victory gallop left us with a warm fuzzy – on the next to last night of this marathon called the Alltech World Equestrian Games – that we witnessed the crowning of a genuine champion.

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games have imprinted our memory (that includes CF cards!) with some very special moments and highlights. In terms of medal moments, except for Steffen Peters taking bronze in the Grand Prix and the Freestyle of the Dressage Championships, Americans haven’t had much occasion to wave the red, white and blue. HOWEVER, we feel incredibly privileged to photograph and write about the Para-Equestrians who made history as a group – whether they medaled or not – by being the first ever ParaDressage Riders to compete at the World Equestrian Games in its 20-year history. This grants special cachet to the first-ever ParaDressage World Champion medalists.

And it happened here in Kentucky, another history-making first ever, as the Games had always taken place in Europe.

Great Britain's Para-equestrian Lee Pearson, individual gold (Grade Ib) and team gold, during "God Save The Queen" when his horse Gentleman wanted only to eat that bouquet. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

Let’s face it – each para-rider representing her or his country is a champion – whether they ever fulfill their dream to mount a podium to receive a medal. These riders embrace and embody the spirit of the World Equestrian Games. They work hard, live with enthusiasm, and they inspire. Para-Equestrians put the petty concerns and anxieties of daily living into perspective. They make us feel so blessed. To witness their participation in the World Championships is humbling.

Team Denmark had no reservations about liberating from her electric scooter Stinna Tange Kaastrup, the individual bronze medalist Grade Ib who secured the bronze team medal them all. Kaastrup, 16, was born without legs and rides a New Forest pony. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

Had to delete a bunch of editorializing – about the fact that what para-equestrians live with would be sufficient to bend, if not break, many an able-bodied spirit. The para-riders may have moments when they feel all too human, but they are fired up by an indomitable will to live and they celebrate life, because the alternative does not appeal. They are not quitters. They do not give up.

Once para-riders get on a horse, they feel liberated from their graded classification of disability. On horseback, they can feel like other people. Neigh, we think they feel much more liberated than most mere mortals. By connecting to the spirit of Pegasus, when riding they know they can fly – the limitations of their daily existences fall away.

Some are born disabled. Others are victims of accidents. Some were competing in equestrian events and suffered catastrophic falls. Others are victims of insecticide poisoning that compromised neurological function (does this have any relevancy to the use of commercial fly sprays on equines???). Their stories touch the heart, and they ride to live.

The Germans are contenders in ParaDressage everywhere they go to compete and their esprit de corps knows no limits - for them, being at the Alltech World Equestrian Games AND taking team gold as well as several individual medals, especially Grade III Hanne Brenner's indy and freestyle golds - well, the medals just add more icing to their cake. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

They are just like us, like every other horse-crazy kid.

To find out what you can do to help support Para-Equestrians here in the USA – with donations of horses, time and money – please visit the website for the United States Para-Equestrian Association.

If you are connected with another nation, please google their equestrian governing body or visit the International Para-Equestrian Association to find out how to contact the team of your choice around the world.

Okay, so we haven’t posted in a few days. We didn’t sleep much either between 21 Sept and Oct 4, but we’re making up for that deficit.

We’re also really enjoying watching the Para-Dressage championships at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. These riders have heart. They might be dealing with disability, but they are out there riding for their lives – almost literally. Their realities often include a wheelchair. They need help to get on and off a horse, but once they’re in the saddle, missing limbs, missing chromosomes, whatever has them classified as Grade Ia or Ib, II, III or IV fades into the back ground and they are just horse-crazy kids out there riding a dressage test for the sheer joy and thrill of it.

US rider Robin Brueckmann, Grade IV (least disabled), placed sixth in very competitive company. Photo by Lauren Giannini

We are impressed with their joie de vivre, their courage and their passion for riding. There but for the grace of the horse gods go any of us…

The individual tests continue on Thursday with Freestyle scheduled for Friday and Saturday. So far the Europeans are whipping American butt – Lee Pearson (GBR) and Hannalore Brenner (GER) are out for gold, period. So are several others.

But then again Para-Dressage is a HUGE sport in Europe. The horses are unbelievably fancy, many of them have competed at the Grand Prix level. Others are works in progress. Most of them are incredibly wellbred with warmblood ancestors whose names are very familiar…

Laura Goldman is classified Group Ia - most severely disabled - and was highest scorer for USA in the team test on Tuesday. Photo by Lauren Giannini

But in the US of A, Para-Equestrian is not huge. One can only wonder why. We have the resources, both human and equine. Some cite distance, but many of the para-equestrians compete in able-bodied competitions. That’s where they develop uberskills, over & above what’s considered normal horsemanship.

The Europeans take it seriously. The riders train. They work on their fitness even if they get around only in a wheelchair. They ride as much as possible. They ride different horses. They have great energy and motivation. They have team spirit.

Lee Pearson, para dressage rider from Great Britain, is a multiple Olympic medalist. Photo by Lauren Giannini

The Americans have drive. They want to do well, but they need help – support and financial backing. We need to raise everyone’s consciousness. We need to stand behind these para-equestrians, and we need to be loud with our cheers – and generous with our resources.

Okay, we’re impressed with Michael Jung (GER) who’s in the lead in the eventing championship at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. We like when a rider talks about a horse as if he(she) really likes the creature, really gets the horse-and-rider partnership/connection thing and takes it to a new level of meaning. This is what produces brilliant performances, in our opinion.  Jung was caught in a hold when vet & EMT personnel tended one of the three horses injured (they’re all resting comfortably). He didn’t know when they would start and he wanted to keep his horse as warm as possible, especially since it was late in the day and the wind that sprang up had sharp teeth.

Jung has ridden La Biosthetique-Sam FBW since he was five years old. The horse is now 10, and this was Sam (that’s what we’re gonna call him, because was really cold late afternoon on Saturday after the weather shifted from sunny & warm to windy and wild with the temperature dropping like a freight elevator, and we didn’t think to ask what the horse’s nickname is during the press conference of the top three riders. So, it’s Sam – in the interest of brevity and pronounceability). What sticks in our mind is that Michael said that they’ve built a working relationship based in trust and they think together approaching a fence. Michael and Sam maintained their first place after acing the dressage test with a score of 33 penalty points.

“Thus was my first championship at the four-star level,” said Michael.  “I think it was a difficult course but a fair one for the horses.  One of the big difficulties was there were demanding jumps all over the course, so at every jump you really had to concentrate, and every jump asked a very big effort from your horse, from the first jump until the end.”

A little later in the press conference, Jung said: “For me it was always a dream to participate in the world championships, so now being in the lead is more than a dream. I would put the saddle on him and ride it again now. I loved it very much.”

According to chef d’equipe Mark Phillips, the course designed by Mike Etherington-Smith was “big and fair.” There’s no doubt it was a championship level cross-country. The course was designed so that galloping stretches tested stamina and the situation of various obstacles required lots of communication and cooperation between horse and rider. We thought it was huge and testing. To run clean within the time allowed of 11:14 didn’t happen very often:

79 started, 60 finished

2 retired on the XC, 17 were eliminated.

Of the completions, 13 scored double clears, 28 jumped clear but incurred time penalites.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Cool Mountain moved from 12th after dressage to second after putting in a textbook double clear over familiar terrain: they won Rolex in April at Kentucky Horse Park, the first four-star in “Ollie’s” career. Becky Holder (USA) and Courageous Comet, competing as individuals, were on fifth after dressage and moved to third, jumping clear but picking up 3.20 time faults. Becky, who is really personable, made us smile when she said: “It was certainly a relief to have the coffin and wishing well combination in my rear-view mirror. It felt like he went through them easily, and that gave me a great amount of confidence for the rest of the course.”

NEWS FLASH: Courageous Comet withdrawn from final jumping test! Comet lost a front shoe on the Cross-Country course yesterday and today, during the vet inspection, was withdrawn in the holding box by Becky Holder at the third horse inspection of the Eventing World Championship presented by Reem Acra at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  Comet is happy and comfortable and in the best care of some of the best vets in the world.

(Please note: this changes the individual standings – but we aren’t going to edit this post as we have to insert several pix of the 1500 or so we took on course yesterday! We tried to get the rest of the spun horses, but no hard copy was available. We remember that Jessica Phoenix did not present Exponential and an Irish horse did not go through. If we get clarification later, we’ll add it to a post. Sorry to be so vague…)

Prior to the cross-country, the Germans dominated the top placings with Michael Jung and Sam in first, Simone Deitermann and Free Easy NRW in third, Gandreas Dibowski seventh with Euroridings Butts Leon, Frank Ostholt in ninth with Mr. Medicott, Ingrid Klimke in 11th with FRH Butts Abraxxas, and Dick Schrade and Gadget de la Cere in 13th.

After XC: Jung held first place, Klimke moved up to fourth, Dibowski to to 53rd, Schrade became the drop score for the team (Gadget de la Cere injured but resting comfortably), and Deitermann (individual for GER) was eliminated.

Dramatic improvements took place on the basis of brilliant XC rounds by:

Andrew Nicholson (AUS) and Nereo – 14th after dressage to 5th after XC

Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch (CAN) and Port Authority jumped from 17th to 6th.

Karen O’Connor and Mandiba leaped from 18th to 9th after XC.

Great Britain’s riders and horses earned some respect for their quantum leaps up the standings: Pippa Funnell (GBR) and Redesigned compensated for placing 21st after dressage by powering into 8th after their couble clear XC. Piggy French and Jakata moved up 12 places to stand 12th after zero jump faults and and only 1.60 time faults. The most dramatic improvements were scored by Mary King (GBR) and Imperial Cavalier who jumped double clear from 26th to 10 place. Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz went from 42nd after dressage (drop score) to 20th with their double clear on the XC. Kristina Cook and Miner’s Frolic, 8th after dressage, had one refusal at 5c of the first water for 20 jump penalties (drop score for XC phase).

Going into the final jumping test on a gray, chilly Sunday at the Kentucky Horse Park, the teams stand thus:

1. Great Britain – 139.40

2. USA – 143.30

3. Canada – 147.50

4. New Zealand – 150.80

5. Germany – 192.70

www.alltechfeigames.com

Edward Gal (NED) & Moorlands Totilas pulled off a hat trick, scoring 91.8 to earn their second individual gold, the rider’s second Rolex watch, thereby harvesting three gold medals thanks to the Netherlands’ team win earlier this week. Edward and Toto showed off their elegance, partnership and athleticism with a brilliant freestyle. You simply must see this horse dance.

Edward Gal & Moorlands Totilas Dance to Third Gold Medal. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

Great Britain’s Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris garnered another silver medal on 85.35 with Steffer Peters (USA) and Ravel harvesting bronze. on 84.90. Peters was elated with his horse and their second bronze medal of the Alltech Games: he is the only American rider to earn an individual medal in the history of the Games.

Laura Bechtolsheimer (GBR) en route to silver medal with Mistral Hojris in the Freestyle. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

The Freestyle, which sold out to a very appreciative crowd, featured the top 15 finishers in the Grand Prix Special. Each freestyle seemed to delight the audience, and in spite of exhortations by announcer Brian O’Connor, they couldn’t always contain their cheers and applause until the final salute.

Steffen Peters & Ravel earn their second individual bronze medal. He had dedicated his ride to Courtney Kind-Dye, recuperating from a serious head injury, and wore a safety helmet for the victory gallop. Photo © Lauren R Giannini

For more information and live scoring as the action continues at Kentucky Horse Park, visit www.alltechfeigames.com

Okay, okay – here are some photos. Now, here’s the deal – you can’t just use photos without permission. They’re our property, our copyrighted work, and you need permission – even if it’s for wallpaper on your computer or to blow up and hang on your wall. It would be nice if you ask permission. We can’t police you, but taking advantage of the fact that we post our photos for your enjoyment is not sporting, not courteous and we would greatly appreciate hearing from you should you like one of our photos so much that you trigger a download.

The Grand Prix Special provided lots of photogenic moments. Here are a few of them. There might be more. It all depends. We shot a thousand photos that day…

The canter is the leaping gait - demonstrated here by Brent Parberry (AUS) & Victory Salute (Photo © Lauren R Giannini)

Lovely moment of suspension in extended trot - Ashley Holzer (CAN) & Pop Art (photo © Lauren R Giannini)

Isabell Werth (GER) & Warum Nicht - definitely leaping gait, probably a tempi change - sweet. (Photo © Lauren R Giannini)

Wow - 2009 USEF HOTY (Horse of the Year) & Steffen was Horseman of the Year. (photo © Lauren R Giannini)

Juan Manuel (ES) & Fuego XII - we just love this PRE. (photo © Lauren R Giannini)

Last but by no means least, Edward Gal (NED) and Moorlands Totilas, but we’re exhausted and you have to wait until later today…