Karen's WEG Blog - Saturday September 2

Belgian Hero

Today the Belgian Felix Marie Brasseur won the individual gold in the four-in-hand carriage driving. Felix lives just around the corner from the place where we have been living for the past two weeks. Our ‘landlord’ came to the marathon with us yesterday. He was pretty proud of the fact that he knows Felix well. He told us Felix likes his beer. By the way, if you are ever looking for a wonderful spot to chill out and practice your French in Belgium, I can highly recommend the farm where we are. Our hosts are tip top and the price is less than my rent in Vancouver. The only thing is the weather (I know, here I go again). Yesterday was our landlady’s birthday. Her husband gave her a sun lamp. I think even their dog has S.A.D. His mood changes perceptibly for the better when the sun comes out. They have a little pony stallion that is locked into his stall about half time, while the other horses graze, because he is too fat. His stall is on the other side of one of our bedroom walls. He whinnies angrily at us every time he hears us coming and going from the apartment. “Let me out so I can go and get fatter!”

 

Thanks Cowboys!

Just like in Jerez four years ago, the reiners came through for Canada and gave us a silver medal yesterday. I went and tried to watch some of it after I came in from the marathon course yesterday, but the whistling that accompanies the more exciting moments in each ride was absolutely deafening. I do not know how anyone can stand it. One of the more amusing aspects of FEI reining is seeing the Euro-cowboys from such unlikely countries as England, Italy and the Czech Republic. Some of the German and Swiss team riders are almost big enough to carry their horses, which are the usual 14.2 hand quarter horses.

 

Today’s Top 25 Jumpers

The course looks so innocent, with the size of the field and the distance between fences giving them little context. My favourite Portuguese stallion Dover finally looked maxed out, but his eight faults were about par for the course in round one today. His rider decided to withdraw from the second round, which I think shows a real love and respect for the horse. She couldn’t ever make the top four anyway, and this courses are just gigantic. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum sure had the crowd behind her when she came in the stadium, but they were somewhat subdued when she finished the course. She made a big mistake going into the water, and Beezie, the other female hopeful for the final four, made the same mistake. Perhaps the course is too tough: there were only two clears in the first round.

 

Wow!!! Girl power. Three women in the final – there have only ever been two in the final before, Gail Greenough in 1986 and Malin Baryard in 2002. And now we have three. How cool is that. And all four top riders are from different countries. How cool is that!!!

 

Thumbs Up For the Shuttles

I am revising my mark for the shuttle service to a B+, and an A for attitude. Things have steadily improved since last week. The other night after the team show jumping final (it was after midnight), Cealy and I walked out to the bus stop where we catch our shuttle to lot K, and the only vehicle there was a spanky Audi wagon with an ‘official car’ decal on it. We asked the smiling young driver where he was going and he named some hotel, which started with a ‘K’. I said, “how about parking lot K?” Imagine our surprise – and delight – when he shrugged and said sure. The drivers for the most part are very cheerful and seem to enjoy our lousy pidgin German.  They have even started trying out their language skills. I’ve had a ‘merci’ and an ‘adios’ in the past two days.

!related!