[RC] headed north (to Brazil) - Stephanie TeeterJust a quick note, I´ll write more later with final story on Pinamar and Argentina and a few more photos - of the Mar 20 race, and more gauchos and criollos :) While at Pinamar, the FEI official, Elizabeth Schelle asked if I´d be interested in riding in Brazil in two weeks, there´s a ride south of Sao Paulo, a 1-day 80km, and a 2-day 160 km FEI ride. Well I thought about it for about a millionth of a second and said YES! I´ve been able to make arrangements, had to deal with the Brazilian consulate, they are mad at the US for changing their policy to requiring Brazilians to get a visa (and fingerprints) to enter the US, so they tripled the cost of a Brazilian visa (only for the US) now and make it fairly difficult. So now a visa is in the works, and I have a flight to Sao Paulo on Friday, and will stay with Elizabeth for a few days and then Henrique Garcia (whom I met in Canada in 1998 when he rode one of Lari Shea´s Orlov crosses in the Pan American pre-ride, and later in the PanAms in 99. He also helped me in Compiegne when I first arrived, a great friend. He has arranged a horse for me to ride in the 1-day 80km, and I will help his barn (they´re bringing 10 horses) on the 2nd day. Can´t wait! In return he hopes to come to Idaho to ride. Argentina... what can I say. I absolutely love it here, the people, the country, the heritage. I´m off to lunch now, and then to the thoroughbred farm of Miguel´s twin brother (Santiago) for a tour with Celina. then back here to Buenos Aires (I´m currently at Miguels and Maiko´s office ´Centro do Hematologia y Oncologia - Pavlovsky´ ) to finish my visa application, and then back tomorrow to pick up the visa... they don´t make it easy! Yesterday Mercedes Tapia (she rode one of Claudia´s horses at the WEC in Jerez) took me on a tour of La Republica - one of the most important breeding and training centers for criollos. a most amazing place. Mercedes has been training and performing with the criollos for the past 10 years and gave me a video of one of the big criollo-gauco show performances which we watched last night. incredible horsemanship. great dreams :) luego! Steph ===========================================================I don't think you have to join a gym or buy frilly outfits to get some fitness. A decent set of shoes and a 15 minute dismount here and there will help. ~ Jon K. Linderman, Ph.D., FACSM, Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Science, University of Dayton ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ===========================================================
|