Wishes were granted in Gladstone and the rain stayed away. Its not too say that the sky didn’t look ominous but we all, collectively, willed the clouds from opening.
The new scheduling worked well and hats have to go off to the organizing committee. Lloyd Landkamer and his crew really just go with the flow and were able to make the absolute best of what could have been a real nightmare.
That is the sun!!!
Leslie Morse was on top form and her Grand Prix win with Tip Top certainly improved her spirits even more. She jumped to a big lead, well clear of 70% and it was fun to see Tip Top back in action too.
Morale in Gladstone has been surprisingly jovial especially considering the weather. This is a great event though and it is awesome that so many people travel so far to come here. There are plenty of Californians and West Coasters here.
Last night USEF Eventing Director, Sara Ike and I drove through a downpour to go to Pennsylvania and have dinner with Buck Davidson. He was flying out today to go to a clinic in California so it was fun to go check out his farm and see his horses before he left.
My Boy Bobby, Ballynoe Castle (Reggie) and Titanium all looked great. Especially Titanium (who is grey) – who I have a serious soft spot for, he was happily covered in mud in the field. His pasture mate, Reggie, was stuck inside as he is counting calories… With all the rain all over the Eastern half of the country, the grass is amazing and he certainly wouldn’t be the only horse on rations…
We had a fun dinner with Buck, even though I swore I ordered salmon and was shocked to have scallops delivered… Buck and Sara both thought I was crazy as they swore they heard me order scallops.
That is just not possible. But I have eaten worse things, and I was starving so off I went. We had a big laugh and Sara and I were back in Gladstone in time to meet up with a couple of other USEFers before we ended a very soggy day.
Tonight, Tim Dutta (horse shipper extraordinaire) is hosting a Barbeque at Gladstone once we finally wrap-up. Just the Prix St. Georges test to go this afternoon as the first leg of the Intermediaire I Championship.