Ridecamp: [RC] SpainSeptember8

September 8, 2002: Eight more days: 

The riders rode first thing this morning, so they could spend the day inspecting the trail. The horses enjoyed R&R at Paul and Gail Zeck's spotless Spa. After snacks and naps, they spent some quality time with maestro massager Richard Valdez. 

For pictures please go to http://www.verda.org/weg.htm 

After a six hour inspection the riders' descriptions of the trail included, "golf ball and tennis ball sized rocks as far as the eye can see", "slick pavement", "a crushed coral reef", "I can't believe it's so hilly", "a survivors' course" and "dusty". At one point Dr. Jeannie Waldron made a five dollar bet with Grace Ramsey that Dr. Bob Beecher's car wouldn't make it up one of the hills. She lost. But passengers Kathy Brunjes, John Crandell, Steve Rojek, Heather Bergantz Reynolds, Valerie Kanavy did have to get out and walk up another one that he couldn't make it up. Beverly Grey was in the other car with Art Priesz and Cia Reis when following the trail was abandoned because of a horse-belly deep cement sided rushing canal. And that's the trail folks! 


Art Priesz assigned the riders homework before leaving the states. They were, in conjunction with crew or solo, to perform a song or poem for the group. 
Heather wrote the following and presented it this evening: 

It all started in the USA 
>From Los Angeles to JFK 
I guess it wasn't Twyla's day. 
But she appeared with small delay. 

We ended up in Amsterdam 
With one hellacious travel plan 
Some turned in for the night 
While others went & saw red lights 
one even almost got into a fight. 

The next day we were on our way 
at 2 AM to our dismay. 
It was a long day on our trip to Bordeaux 
We dropped the horses off& had to go. 

We went to the restaurant - it was time for food. 
The waiter came to me and said "This is for you." 
I looked at it closely& didn't know what to do. 
Was it alive? It was hard to tell 
Its eyes looking at me above its shell. 

The next day was better we had some wine & cheese, 
we sat in a vineyard & kicked back with ease. 

Onto Madrid at 2 AM again. 
The USA team were quickly becoming friends. 
Stopped on the highway, waiting was swell, 
Two of our riders crouched in a well. 

Shortly thereafter there was a disaster 
A man with a badge asked for some money, 
Took some of the loot & that wasn't funny. 

Although this trip was hardly a delight 
We all know now our team is quite tight. 
I look forward to our race day knowing 
We have helped each othe all the way. 

Heather Bergantz Reynolds 


September 7, 2002: Nine more days: 

Today was one of those bureaucratic mazes. Getting credentials took many hours, many queues and much patience. The riders, owners and staff dressed up in their matching shirts and hats and some now have photo ID tags to wear. Grooms and crews will be "credentialized" after horses are moved to the venue. The quote of the day was, "we didn't get anything done but we looked good doing it." 
Mary Lutz and others continued the shuttle from the airport as more support staff and grooms arrived. Cia Reis was clearly as happy to see husband Alex as he was to see her. She let it slip that this period was the longest they had been apart in their 28 year marriage. 
The riders exercised their horses in the late afternoon. Then everyone rushed back to get regussied up to meet the Spanish team for a visit with their horses followed by drinks, sangria and superb hors d'ouevres at a lovely farm that had its own bull ring and deep green lawns. For those of us used to rainforests, it was a treat to be surrounded by greenery. It was a most gracious welcome. 

September 6, 2002: Ten more days: 

The rider's day started with daybreak tiger training, body work by Richard and Daniel, followed by a ride, meetings and a late lunch. Art Priesz, our chef d'equipe said four of the six American horses are on full food and work, and the other two are close. The riders are very busy, but staying relaxed and doing a lot of laughing. Daniel and Art help them focus on "Team" and stress management. Parties of foragers go out to cut grass and find food. 
More people arrive daily, and most people get lost at least once a day, in spite of evaporating jet lag . 

for pictures please go to http://www.verda.org/weg. 

September 5, 2002: 
The group continues to grow here. We were at 19 this morning, 22 this afternoon and expect more riders and support folk in tonight. 
The horses are staying at a farm that has three white tigers in the back yard. No I'm not kidding. When we arrived at dawn this morning the lady owner, a third generation circus pro, was in the cage with the tigers. It seemed almost normal till one of them growled at her, displaying finger long teeth and a cat's speed and contradiction. A couple of weeks earlier the pure white tiger had tipped over it's little podium thingie they all sit on between actions. She simply refused to get on it. That is BIG refusal. Watching the lady work with her wasn't very different from working with a young horse . . . except for the liver on the end of the stick and always staying much more than a tiger-arm's-length away. 
Steve's and Kathy's horses are settling in nicely. Tiger smell doesn't seem to bother them. It is most fortunate to have the opportunity to be out in paddocks day and night. They are out riding now. It is almost 7 PM 
We went to the Escuela Andaluz in Jerez to watch the performance of their classical Dressage, driving, spins, piaffes and airs above the ground. Let's not forget the Spanish walk. Pictures weren't allowed. Then everyone HAD to go to the tack shop, which could fit into a single bay of a two car garage, loaded to the ceiling. Add 35 people, and it takes crowding to a new dimension. Only the top notch shoppers could even get to the counter. That was John Greenall. Via con Dios and please forgive typos and grammar, jet lag is still in my face, 
Dinah 



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