News

August 6th 2003

Well I can hardly believe it but we are at Verden, Pzazz stabled comfortably, eating and drinking well, as usual. The charming Mr. Johannesmann came to pick us up, and we stopped at Theodorescues to pick up an American entry in the 5yo class. Three hours and a bit more and we were there. The stable manager was helpful and friendly, and even though I have been working on not allowing myself to be intimidated by the famous and glamorous riders and horses, it is pretty hard not to be a little overawed. The main arena is splendid, and it's a very special feeling to know that the Australian flag is flying in our honour. I know that we have truly earned the right to be here and that helps too. I am sure that Pzazz would like to be centre of attention in the main arena, all we have to do is qualify for the final.

I have been working on the warm up lap, just like in the jumping ring when the bell doesn't mean, “go through the flags now”. The bell means, “you have 90 seconds to prepare yourself and enter”. The entry is a half circle, half halt, don't rush, longer the neck. Every short side and corner is an opportunity to check the frame and the impulsion: half halt up, and allow forward, longer the neck (his and mine as I have an awful tendency to ride like a startled tortoise, with no neck when I get tense).

As Lindy says, you can only ride the best test that you can, the result you have to leave to the judges. It has been a hard week and I keep remembering the old chestnut “ when the going gets tough the tough get going” and one thing I know about myself is that I am tough, even Susanne has noticed it, particularly when I have hit the deck in an unscheduled dismount (twice, off different horses).

We had a lovely BBQ (read grille in German) on the lawn at Wietelshof last night, a sort of last supper. I met Christine Doan, another Aussie who has had the courage and tenacity to follow her dream. I certainly envy her her fluent German, and was sorry we the evening went so quickly. By 11 PM the day felt over and I was exhausted again. Then my son had an acute allergic reaction, and my husbands plane was cancelled and the airline lost his luggage, and I went to collect him after midnight but we were waiting in different places, and he was pretty exhausted and cross after his day of misadventures. A word of advice- German trains seem to be more reliable than internal flights to small airports. Thank goodness for Lindy who cheerfully stayed with Lachlan at night and then got up and walked Pzazz in the pasture in the morning, and then did the errands, the dry-cleaning, the run to Munster to pick up headsets, so I can focus on Susanne in the warm-up, and packed up the flat, and still could make sure my kids were o.k. After I explained to them that I was not going to be responsible for food and drink till after the show, so they should ask some one else. What would I do without friends like that?

 Sorry it's not very witty today, but it does feel pretty serious as the count down rockets by.

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