April 2005

Rolex Recap

That’s what I’m talking about!

It was everything I had hoped for and more! You have to do this!!!

Revelry was at 3:00 a.m. for our 6:00 a.m. flight. We arrived in the afternoon on Thursday (apparently I go into barn time mode whenever around horses so can’t give definite time of Rolex arrival). I have now decided if I should lose my job I will sell everything and PJ, Huni Buni and I will move to Kentucky. The airport is decorated with horse murals and posters of horses. They even had a store selling horse pics. After leaving the airport in Lexington, we were immediately surrounded by horse farms with white fences and huge green pastures (PJ could really work on his abs there!). As it is Spring there were several babies – am assuming TB’s. The drive to the Rolex had old rugged brick walls some even had built in steps. I know I could traverse these but am not sure how PJ would be able to make the turn to go over the top.

We (K, M and myself) had been advised that our hotel wasn’t the nicest (the advisors opted out) but decided to check it out anyway. We had a choice of two different rooms and decided to take the room that didn’t have the bathroom ceiling falling down. Our “4 star” motel was a little scary, some kind of animal/bug trap under the bathroom vanity. Towels were used to cover the curling, stained linoleum in the bathroom. Decided I could sanitize myself on my return to Minneapolis. Next time would splurge and upgrade just a titch.

We get to the grounds in time to see the top riders perform their dressage tests. It had been raining and was just sprinkling but we were under cover, well, except for the sprinkles coming in through the side. The rain jacket was a GREAT investment pre travel. Little did I know of the many purchases to come. I was worried my little muckies weren’t going to cut it but if you kept an eye out and avoided the 6 to 8 inch deep mud that was in some spots you were fine. Since last year (M and K, Rolex veterans, pointed out details such as this) they had laid rock down around the stands so we didn’t have to worry about muddin’.

Watching these VERY fit horses doing their dressage tests was awesome. You could see riders taking risks and some not - barely doing a forward working canter at the part where they should be doing an extended canter. Nothing like being in a crowd of horsey folks when a horse does an awesome trot extension across the diagonal and everybody says aaaahhhh or ohhhhh if something went wrong. I was very impressed with Windsome (Dan) and Windfall II. There were some amazing flying lead changes where there was much “activity” behind (and sometimes no change) but yet successful. The footing looked horrible. I saw a couple of slips. Hey, don’t worry about your rein back most of the riders couldn’t keep their horses straight.

My first experience at the food court was not pleasant but I was hungry enough to wrestle the tough burger down. The rest of the time we went to the same place – EXCELLENT breakfast sandwiches. Damn margarita place didn’t open until Saturday. I hope John from the beer booth is doing well – we are on a first name basis now.

The shopping was TOO good. I got caught up in the excite and spent way too much money but I only bought what I needed (another pair of breeches when I probably have eight or more, another jumping pad when I have five and another hoof pick when I have two and so on). Those at Brightonwood will see all my lovely items in use J

On Friday, we were at Bit of Britain’s tent and I look over to a gal talking on a cell phone sitting on a bench and think gee that looks like Kim Severson. I see a girl sit beside her who could be her sister (it was). I mouth to her, “Is that Kim?” and she comes over and says yes and how the heck did I recognize her. I have stood beside her auditing clinics at Pine Meadow for two days, all day. Being a groupie I asked if she would mind signing our posters and she said she would. So we chatted with her while Kim finished her call. She is so nice and down to earth – she actually stood on the ground – didn’t hover above like you would think.

Jim Wofford was there and we all got him to sign his book. Stood in line for a while for Darren C. (Windfall II rider – can’t spell his name sounds like ChaCha). We also got Jan Thompson’s autograph – from her and her horse Task Force. She ended up in third place.

Two of the nights we dined with C and G. C was a TD so we got some of the skinny on what was happening behind the scenes. One rider asked if he could change the course so she wouldn’t have to go over a bridge. C suggested she should perhaps school that a few times that night. C is a very good horseman and we all talked theory and got great suggestions for our riding. You should have seen his eyes light up when I mentioned long lining! We also met a photographer Tim who said he will send us photos. Cannot wait for those! Mine the horse and rider are about a quarter inch tall – I was actually closer but what can you expect from a disposable. I am kicking myself for not bringing my camcorder grrrrrrr!

Saturday night we didn’t have power for over an hour. No, it wasn’t that our lovely hotel hadn’t paid their bill - it was the entire quadrant. Dorothy, we aren’t in Minneapolis anymore where Excel has you back up in no time.

I had never seen the Roads and Track phase. Poor C ended up having to redo the whole course that morning due to all the rain. We got to the starting box in time to see Kim and Mcquire (what a cutie pie). Stupid people were right in front of the opening so she smiles, shakes her head and waits for the idiot to get out of the way so she can get in. She ended up pulling Mcquire out before the cross country.

We watched Phillip Dutton (took second and fourth I believe) take off from the start box for cross country. We wandered all over the course. Nothing like thundering hooves right next to you.

They didn’t include the bank (cliff) this year. The fox was still there I climbed up and looked down from the bank and then estimated PJ’s height and thought – oh my god now that is a drop! The main riders I wanted to see were Ralph and Kim. Got worried as we were waiting at the Lexington jump and heard Ralph had come off of Bad Boy Billy (I think he lives up to his name). He did get back on and finish but pulled out before stadium due to a broken ankle. We got to the finish in time to see Kim dismount Dan and have a microphone shoved at her. Dan is very full of himself pawing while they remove the saddle and sponge him off. We also got to see a vet get knocked over by one of the other horses – should have seen the look on his face (where “if looks could kill” comes from). We took pictures of us on the squirrel – I posed as if bull riding. Those fences are huge and technical – makes those little cross rails PJ and I are doing look like nothing.

Sunday’s Stadium jumping was awesome. I can’t believe they can jump that many jumps in 90 seconds. To save time Phillip took one of the jumps so close we heard his stirrup hit the standard! I have a good pic of a horse in the Liverpool. Interestingly enough I didn’t know they dyed the water. The horse gets up and swings his tail and I am thinking that is pretty blue then I notice his legs are blue (would hate to have a grey take a dip). It was tiring riding and jumping the course so many times in a row. Kim went in with 4 rails in her favor – she is so good. You would think she would have taken the option out for the Liverpool but not that little eventer – what a wonderful ride! The crowd exploded into thunderous applause as she took her victory gallops.

N from our barn put it best – Kim Severson came in liked she owned the place – she did all the way through.

Travel home was interesting. M hauling her new Stubben that ended up riding first class to Detroit while M sat at the very end of the plane. I was treated like a terrorist leaving Kentucky. I didn’t know Lexus put a corkscrew/knife in the lovely wine bag I had gotten for test driving a Lexus. All I saw were the glasses and cute little napkins. Then there was the switching of seats on the last leg of the journey so Me could keep her saddle with her – no room in first class this time. She boards and then it is mine turn and the display blinks (instantly I am thinking I have been flagged as the corkscrew/knife terrorist) – wrong plane!!!!!!! I ran from gate 34 to 66 in cowboy boots sporting my goodie-filled backpack (less one corkscrew/knife) and the poster container. Better me than M – can’t imagine running with a saddle without the horse doing all the work. Made it with time to spare – breathing very heavily and sweating. Leave M a message I’m on a different plane and hanging up– leaving her thinking she is going some other than the Minneapple.

I so enjoyed this and would do it again but it sure is nice to be home. My heart skipped a beat when I pull up the barn and saw him in the paddock called his name to have him look up Mom! and start walking towards the gate – now where have you been!