If I have to hear one more time that "You're from Massachusetts, you shouldn't be complaining about the cold." I just might scream. Just because I have been cold for a large percentage of my life doesn't mean I like it.
And it has gotten cold in Kentucky. Bitter cold at times
Enter trip to Florida for the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championships presented by Equine Motorcoach. Not only is the weather glorious, the jumping is proving to be pretty impressive as well.
We heard rumblings all week that the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center was a construction zone, wasn't going to be ready, etc. I think we all breathed a collective sigh of relief when we arrived for the Holiday and Horses Show, despite not being completely done, the renovations were well under control and the place was looking great. Hundreds of people had been employed to work around the clock, tirelessly getting the venue ready. They have put in some more permanent facilities, poured some concrete in certain places, the bridge over the in-gate is new, and the VIP tent now has tables down in between the arena and the tent. We sat out there, and it was perfect for the occasion.
The International Arena was in great shape, the footing looked as good as last year and when I arrived in the afternoon, the course was coming together. We had some meetings in the afternoon as there is a lot taking shape at the USEF, the finishing touches on the facilities were happening around us, the changes we were witnessing were amazing. This was a great opportunity, since so many of the great minds in the sport were around, to pick some brains and get some ideas.
I'm staying with a friend in Del Ray, I've known Melissa since 2006, when I met her in Saratoga. She's an assistant trainer on the racetrack and because she mostly lives in NY and Florida I don't see her very often. I drove down to her house caught up for a bit and then headed back up 95 to catch the first horse in the ring for the first leg of the final USEF National Championship of 2008.
The first couple horses handled the course with relative ease and then Todd Minikus, who is a brand new Dad - Colt was born six weeks ago, blazed around the course with Pavarotti. His time looked good but with 40 more horses in the class, it wasn't clear that his speedy time would hold up. A number of riders gave him a serious run for his money, including Hillary Dobbs, who went right after Todd, and ended up second, but the new Dad prevailed.
Todd, who is always a lively interview said he was only showing this week because he needed money for diapers and that he was ready for a break. These guys have had a really long season and after this weekend will have a bit of time off before it all gets going again.
But Todd was kidding about the diapers... I think.
It was great to catch up with people I haven't see since the summer, this year has been a bit of a whirlwind and since the Olympic Games it has all been a bit of a blur so it is nice to take a breath and see people in a less intense environment.
I got a text this morning that it is snowing in Kentucky... sorry guys.