I was the reserve for the 2015 Pan Ams with Foxwood High, owned by John and Judy Rumble.
I thought for sure after my Bromont performance I would be on the team. Surprise! I was not. I understand why in terms of saving him for Rio, it’s just that John and I were under the impression the team wanted him, so it came as a shock at first.
I really wanted to be at training camp and take lessons, but there wasn’t room for alternates.
So, lucky me, after camp starts I get a phone call to ask if I could step in as the reserve…
I had no idea the reserves went in the first jog or that you could change the team (right up until two hours prior to first dressage test.)
I’ve been a reserve for Pan Ams before, on Colombo. It was 2006 Rio Pan Ams and camp was in Ocala. Then they flew, so I don’t think an alternate went with them. I can’t remember. I had very badly dislocated my left shoulder four to five weeks prior. But I went to Ocala, trained in camp then drove home when they flew out. Was great!
Anne Marie had already committed to helping a friend of ours out from Argentina (Jose Ortelli Jr.), as his groom in the beginning of July. So I didn’t have a groom for camp. All the grooms helped me out. Max loves Woody and knows him well, so does Christina so he gets the best care in the world. Once we got to the venue, Anne Marie became ultra super groom and started grooming for Argentina and Canada. Phew she must have been glad Woody didn’t do more than the first jog!
It was great to get to know Kathryn, her wonderful groom Helen and fantastic horse Let It Bee. Being on a team with Jess and Waylon was super entertaining. We’ve known and competed together since Young Riders. Having spent a great time with Colleen at WEG 2014 while she groomed for Peter Barry (owner of the horse she rode at Pan Ams), I knew being on a team with her would be excellent and her record on this horse is super. I’m so happy for her. She deserves it with all that hard work. She is a brilliant team member and friend.
I had a great bunch of lessons from Clayton, including cross country school at The Bernhardts farm, which is where we were kindly allowed to base for training camp.
The Palgrave venue was really good. I loved the footing and the great big stalls, brand new and white, very tall ceilings (also white) with fans and big garage doors at both ends of the hallways. Woody did a lot of sleeping, so the stalls were comfy. Great ventilation.
The food was good too. Especially after WEG 2015! And there was an abundance of snacks, drinks, yogurt and salad during the day (they even had vegetarian options. 🙂 I don’t really like bottled water except Dasani and they had Dasani, so I give it a thumbs up.
There was nowhere to graze the horses really. But you can’t have everything all the time, I suppose?
The first jog was intense for a bit. Loved the outfit! The horses all looked fantastic thanks to our amazing grooms.
Team photos for Blankets (horse wear) saddle pads and boots (Eco gold) Xc boots (Bogaloo) Gastro Guard and ourselves should turn out great! Cealy Tetley, thank you.
It was probably good for Woody to go to a big event like that and just school dressage. Plus, I’m sure I was less stressed too because I knew I wasn’t going to compete. It was all a great experience and I’m glad, and proud of my team for rising above it all and performing their very best.
Dressage day was freezing and raining – not conducive of an easy test. Cross county day was hot, humid and off-site. Luckily the course and track was beautifully built and looked after. I didn’t stay for Xc or stadium. I had to get back to work especially with Anne Marie away too.
I’m so proud and happy for team Canada. I think they all did a super job and were excellent, fun representatives of Canadian eventers. I love team experiences even as the alternate 😉
Can’t wait until next time…
