This was from Anne Marie early this morning
Great meadows starts today with the jog at 3pm this afternoon. I’ve been to great meadows once before in its inaugural year when it was our last run before WEG 2014. It was already a beautiful venue then but the changes they have made since are something else. Brand new this year is an additional ring In the infield of the cross country course where dressage and show jumping will be held. The first horse to go on Saturday will be the first horse to ever set foot in this ring it’s that new! I had forgotten how hot it gets in Virginia during July – I am a fall and spring kinda person and i thought Ontario has been pretty hot these last few weeks but Virgina is something else. Sunday is supposed to be the coolest day of our trip with a high of 29, so at least the cross country which takes place from 9am-11am Sunday will happen under slightly more moderate conditions. Last night we attended the welcome party at Beverley Equestrian for the nations cup draw. Two years ago when we came here Clayton was based at Beverley so we had the chance to ship in for lessons and it’s an absolutely beautiful place. Beverley Equestrian has been a huge part of bringing the nations cup to North America so it was a fun chance to meet some of the faces behind the scenes. This afternoon it all gets started with the first jog – and Canada has drawn 3rd out of 5 countries. I’ll keep you posted!
And this is from Selena this afternoon
WOWZERS it’s hot here in the Plains VA!
Thursday was no exception. We started early with a quick Woody check up from Dr Jill Copenhagen our team vet. Then went out for a nice hack, met up with some Canadian geese and decided to turn around before all hell broke loose. We did some long and low in the Flemming arena, near the stabling, that’s the old arena. They have a nice new one now at the back of the property. We were both so hot it was time to quit.
I went back to the hotel and had a nice swim! Then we headed to Beverly Equestrian center for a competition party and to draw for the order of the countries. There was a silver bowl with pictures of all the countries flags in it, and bottles of champagne with numbers on the bottom of them. Different people picked a flag out of the bowl and a bottle with a number and that’s how we knew Canada drew fourth. Best of all we got to share the bottle of bubbly.
Friday morning was still hot and I rode Woody in the main arena around 9am. The new arena is gorgeous but it’s quite a hike. Woody was a little nappy near the entrance to the ring. Not like him really so I can only assume it’s because it’s quite far from the barns and he’s used to the other ring.
Needless to say it was a two ride sort of day. So after a bath and a treatment from the wonderful Doug Hannum we tackled the main arena again close to noon. He was more relaxed right away and put in some good work.
Anne Marie beautified him while we had a riders meeting in the air conditioned riders lounge. I have to mention the organizers and sponsors have done a fantastic job here at Great Meadows with everything. Meals in the air conditioned lounge, brand new arenas, beautiful cross country, ect.
Jog up was this afternoon at 3pm and it went very smoothly for everyone I think. This evening at 6pm there is opening ceremonies and a parade of riders (unmounted) in the main arena which is nice for the sponsors. The local pony club is very excited because they get to lead in each country on their ponies carrying flags. Should be a hoot!
