Team Canada Checks In

Hi Guys!

Sorry we have been less than communicative - VERY busy coming and going from the stable - not a lot of 'down' time, and when we're down we're really down, trying to recover from jetlag - slowly acclimatizing to change of temperature and time.

The travel was LONG; Karen's, Lana's and my horse left Kelowna by van at noon on Thursday, bound for Seattle in a snow storm - I followed on a commercial flight, slept for a few hours and then got up at 3:00 am to meet the van at the Seattle airport - watched them get loaded into their tiny pallette and then onto a FedEx jet with all the other cargo - was able to actually go into the plane and say good-bye - could only see their little ears twitching! The plane took off for Memphis en route to New York; I headed for New York on Delta so I could meet them at the 'vetport' at JFK when they arrived. They had then been travelling for two days straight.

Stalls at JFK were really small and dark - glad I was there to make them mash, give them their own hay and electrolyte them - trip was starting to take its toll on Teddy. Lara, my daughter, flew in from Copenhagen where she had been working the week before, and stayed with me at the airport hotel - helped me walk the horses in the short, narrow aisleway and was good company for stressed-out me! Myna and Karen, other Canada Team members, arrived the next day, Myna with her horse and Yvette's, having driven to NY from Florida.

That evening we said farewell to the horses one more time, and got on our Emirates flight; we left at midnight, they left the next morning. After a 12 hour flight we arrived in Dubai (now 9:00 pm the next day), were met by a 'greeter' arranged by the organizing committee (OC), who wisked us through customs and security and took us out to our accommodation, about halfway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but about 40 k's out in the desert.

Jamie and Lana had arrived the day before, via London, and were there to meet us. Jamie and I lucked out with the hotel room - lovely - (will take photos)as we need access to highspeed internet and working telephones; the others are staying in the 'chalets', part of the hotel but closer to the Endurance City, clubhouse where we eat, and the tables; they have full access to all hotel amenities very posh!

The horses arrived early the next afternoon, after about 18 to 20 hours of flying time from NY to Dubai (via Sweden for fuel), and then more van time; looked pretty good considering, and happy to see familiar faces - lots of nickers. The stable area has a very nice, bright, open, airy barn where each horse has a 12 X 12 stall, with wood shavings, good size turn out paddocks, wash rack, stalls for tack rooms etc.

Rumor has it that the US has arranged for another facility, but FEI regulations will likely dictate otherwise, and it could get VERY hectic when they 'arrive' (we expect them any day). At the moment we are just sharing our stable with two Japanese riders, one of whom purchased a horse from Hal Hall that has done the Tevis, and another is leased from Darolyn Butler.

Quarantine is very strict; only your accredited crew members are allowed in, and you must 'disinfect' when your arrive and when you leave (stepping into a foot 'bath' and using a hand gel). They are providing every imagineable type of feed: timothy, crau (French meadow grass), oaten and alfalfa hays, and lots of different grain mixes. We are responsible for cleaning our own stalls and paddocks but have two little helpers who do some sweeping, change and fill the water buckets, etc.

We have been just hand walking the horses for the most part although Myna has started to ride daily. We are assigned one of two loops each day, alternating with the Aussies and Kiwis who are nearby - are not supposed to come within 100 metres of each other if out on the trails.

Teddy had a minor tie-up when he arrived (too much confinement for too long for him), discovered the second day following a walk. Fortunately, Dr. Jim Baldwin was at the stable as it happened and treated him immediately. His numbers are coming down and he's back to spooking and pacing so things are returning to normal. The other horses all look great.

Lana, Karen and I hope to start riding a little on Monday. Yvette arrives today or tomorrow; her horse has been exercising himself in her absence, whenever Myna's horse leaves the stable area. Hoping to 'meet' a camel BEFORE race day! 44 countries are going to be represented in the World's apparently; there are horses and barns everywhere, horses still arriving, barns still being built.

The actual Endurance City is unbelievable (I seem to use that word a lot) where the Vet Gates, crewing area, treatment buildings, etc. are located. On Thursday they held a regional competition, 120 k's, with 140 riders taking part(40 finished which is a very high completion rate for here). We were there before the start to 'observe' and then during the day off and on to see the riders coming in, to see how the vet gates worked, etc. - VERY good learning experience (both Dr. Jims were hard at work!).

The race began at 6:00 am, with the front runners leaving at a canter, swallowed up by the darkness, but 5 minutes later there were still horses walking or trotting out. 4 X 4's went screaming by in every direction, trying to follow their rider. Rule is that the vehicles have to stay 'downwind' of the horses, so there are three tracks side by side: horses in the middle and vehicles constantly crossing over, with the changing winds.

Myna spent part of the day with the crew of one of the young princes and got to witness the craziness first hand, and that was without any foreigners driving! We have arranged for a local driver and vehicle for the day of the race, as suggested by our Dr. Jim (Bryant).

Out on course the water stops/pitcrew areas are NOT just troughs or muckers; entire oases have been created, complete with waterfalls and palm trees, and cement-bottomed pools to walk through to sponge, etc. Like Teddy is going to go anywhere near those! The trail, at least the part that Myna saw, had very little deep sand - most of it had been graded (trail clearing Dubai style!).

The food is unbelievable (there's that word again!), and lots of it. We seem to have parties every few nights, with a different theme; last night was Asian - delicious! We had dinner with a Russian and danced up a storm with the gang from Uruguay and Argentina. The FEI stewards and other personnel are great people, and join in with all the activites.

Unfortunately, we don't have our 'uniforms' yet (everyone else is 'identifyable'), but now that Karen's luggage has been found (it was missing until yesterday!), she is our 'mascot', all outfitted in red and white! Claims she even has a maple leaf tatoo - will check it out at the pool this afternoon! She has put up flags everywhere, in anticipation of the US 'display' when they arrive!

All of our crew people will be here by the 24th - race day 27th. Jamie and I are going into Dubai this evening to the flat races with Jim Bryant - looking forward to a change of pace and scene, and getting a feel for what's where - up until now we haven't ventured forth onto the busy freeways, etc. The construction underway in the Emirates is staggering, as is the wealth. Has not been too hot, in the 20's during the day, and quite chilly at night - need a jacket and are blanketing the horses.

That's it for now - will try to be better about keeping everyone updated. Wish you all were here to share in this adventure.

Best, Daph

World Endurance Championship January 27, 2005 Dubai, UAE Presented by Endurance Net