I’m sitting in another airport, actually the same one as last wknd, but it’s only a stop over this time. I am coming from Rolex and on my way to teach at Katie and Lynne Foster’s place in Hazelhurst, Wisconsin. I was in Kentucky for 2 days to help Allison Springer get ready for her Dressage at Rolex on Fri am. Let me tell you. . That is an amazing group of people and horses! I arrived on Tues eve after a full day of training at home, and the whole airport in Lexington is focused on horses! It is such a great energy, marveling the horse and getting everyone excited about the WEG. (I wish so bad I had a horse to go for the Team for 2010!! What a thrill that would be to compete on home soil!!)

So we schooled Arthur a few times each day, and he is in super form! He is one of the most athletic horses I know. He is so supple, like a cat, but at the same time, can be ready to explode! Not that he would ever buck, but he can spin around with the best of them. He is so spooky! Poor guy. He has a very strong flight response! He has matured so much in the last year, so we are very excited about him. I was able to walk to cross country course on Wed, and wow it is something really spectacular. Those jumps are so huge and really ask a lot of questions for the horse and rider. It is like total extreme dressage. You better have that horse between both legs, and in front of your leg and on your half halt to make it thru the course! I was blown away!!

I have to say I was able to sit in on a few meetings with the top event riders at Rolex, and they really are working together to bring their sport to the next level. They have an Owner’s Task Force, which is starting to connect top riders with people who are interested in owning part of top-level horses. Much like the syndications they do with racehorses. It is really forward thinking, and I think something we could also get involved with. Everyone wants to be part of something special. We all just can’t afford the big time horses! Here we could get something started that you can own part of it. It was really an exciting idea.

I have the deepest respect for the event riders and I very much enjoyed my time at Rolex! I may have to put it on my schedule every year! What a rush! Allison ended up something like 14th, but she was the 4th/5th best American rider. This year we had a huge influx of European riders. I think everyone is getting ready for the WEG. Allison I hope will be considered for the Team, as I think she is very talented, has worked hard, and has a few top horses under her. Arthur won for the second year in a row, Best Turned Out! Yay Arty!! Well I hope all your horses are feeling fresh and fit, just like the horses at Rolex! Ha ha ok maybe not that fresh! :)