Karen's Blog - August 27

Eventing Final
Zara Phillips (daughter of Princess Anne for those not in-the-know, like I was until about an hour ago), said that it would be both exciting and intimidating to jump in the main field in Aachen. The course looks a bit like it’s in two pieces, because of the permanent dressage arena in the middle. Conclusions about the cross country are generally that it was an excellent course that tested everyone, even the real pros, but didn’t punish the horses. Proof of that is that only two horses didn’t pass the jog today, and there was not one serious injury. Waylon Roberts, who is groom, support staff and general organizer for his dad, says Napalm is a bit stiff from his fall yesterday. He slid right under the table that was fence three, but the injuries are all superficial. Kelli McMullen-Temple just told me that Paris’ problem is minor and she is already thinking about Rolex 2007.

During the break in the eventing show jumping we were treated to some good old Bavarian boys in lederhosen and others on chunky little draft horses (they looked like giant Thelwells), accompanied by tubby tuba and accordion players for some kind of whip dance. The percussion element was provided by the whip boys, both on horseback and on foot, cracking in unison. I was glad I didn’t run out for a Warsteiner and miss the fun.

British team member Daisy Dick would make a bad Pony Club example as she never has her heels down. William Fox-Pitt deserves a medal for getting Tamarillo around clear. The horse looks like a nightmare to show jump: disunited, legs everywhere and all kind of airheaded.

Less than two rails separated the top seven individuals, making for a very suspenseful finale.

No More Weather Reports – But Lots of Pork
I know the story of our daily doses of rain is getting rather tired so after today I won’t mention the weather unless there are tornadoes or it changes dramatically for the better. At least the heavy rain fell in the middle of the night last night and not during the freestyles.

Mike Gallagher reports continued pork encounters, with ham for lunch today in the ‘restaurant’. He asked me if I’ve seen any chicken since I got here. I can’t say I have, other than when Salinero took off with Anky the other night. I mean Salinero was the chicken of course. Anky had a perfectly good reason for her fear, it turns out. She announced on Saturday night that she is three months pregnant with her second child. Apparently she is quite fecund in the months leading up to a major championship. It was after Athens that she announced her pregnancy with Yannick, her son.

!related!