Arrived in Georgetown

I arrived at Georgetown, KY about 6 p.m. and checked in to my motel. I’m going to be here for 12 nights – for the Lexington CDE and then the National Drive. While at the salad bar at Ruby Tuesdays, saw Gary and Holly Combee and Rick Williams from the Live Oak crew who have been here for a few days preparing for the competition. They said that a two hour briefing was being held for the volunteers in preparation for the 2010 WEG, so they had skipped out for dinner. After I had finished mine, Jennifer Matheson and her groom came in, so I sat with them for a few minutes, then noticed Linda Yutzy from Texas at another table (competing with her Dartmoor pair and staying over for the National Drive) and then as I was leaving, stopped to say hello to Boots and Dave Wright. That’s what’s so fun about the driving world. After driving 400 miles alone, I run into all these friends!
The weather report is that it will be cooler than normal (74) for this area, and I hope that any rain will stay away. I ‘ve had enough of rain for this season.
I’m anxious to see what improvements have been made since I was here last June. My official status is a member of the press. Since this is a test event for the WEG, they are also being formal about issuing press credentials. I understand the the digs for the press are quite nice, which is normal for a WEG. From past experience, I know that the press can watch the hazards from closed circuit TV. Most likely this won’t be the case this weekend, but likely will be next year.
Tomorrow will be the horse inspection. Dressage will take place on Thursday (FEI) and Friday (Prelim and Int. )

Marathon Day

After a dismal, rainy day for dressage, everyone hoped the rain would stop for the marathon.  Now in the middle of the day, a fine mist has settled in and seems not to want to leave.  Boot sucking mud everywhere.  Tractors are pulling cars and trucks out of the mud.  The officials have made several modifications to the course because of the deep conditions.  Several competitors have withdrawn from competition – mostly in the advanced division.  Interestingly, the preliminary horses and ponies have made it through! 

Yesterday, Shelly Temple won the Adv. Single Pony class, Robin Groves is leading the Adv. single horse class.  Chester Weber took a good lead in dressage, but withdrew before the marathon.  Janelle Marshall is leading the Intermediate single pony class.  Meredith Fetters is ahead in the Int. Single Horse class.  Suzy Stafford got one of the best dressage scores of the day with 39.00.   The complete scores are at www.drivingnews.us

Dressage at the Laurels

Rain, rain, rain. All night long and so far no signs of letting up. The start was delayed 1/2 hour, but if we don’t continue, we’ll be finishing in the dark. We have 11 four-in-hands competing! We have three international judges – Ge Konig, Sarah Mullins and Peter Bonhof, plus Macy Hill and Samea Baker.

The Laurels at Landhope

I will be at The Laurels at Landhope next week and will be blogging from there. They have over 90 entries with a lot of four-in-hands, so it should be an exciting competition.