Megan's Update from Kentucky
22nd April 2010
Ok guys I've arrived after a mammoth 4 plane trip to Lexington USA!As I did say - Sam was meant to be joining us ......however since no one is going very far in the UK Sam has missed the trip and so has our British /Australian based vet "Potsey". I must say we had it easy coming over - the airports were nearly empty so no lines to clear customs and the planes were only 3/4 full. There are two British riders that somehow made it over, namely William Fox Pit and Oliver Townsend. Now it was pretty important that Oliver made it here as he won both Badminton and Burghley in 2009 so 'all' he has to do is win here at Kentucky and he will be 2nd rider to take out the "ROLEX GRAND SLAM" as Pippa Funnel did some years ago. For those who don't know what the Grand Slam is I'll explain: Rolex puts up $250,000 to the rider who wins the Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky CCI**** in a row but not necessarily in the same year. Like Oliver has nearly done...Since the horses got here before the Iceland volcano erupted the riders had to follow. They went two ways Oliver caught a train to France then taxi.....yes a $8,000 taxi ride to Spain.(so the story goes that I've heard so I could be wrong but who lets the truth get in the way of a good story like this????). Anyway he then caught a plane from Spain and got to America. William however did it in a very 007 style. it involved 2, yes 2, private planes to get to the States. I will find out more details and fill you in later. Rolex also have 2 ground jury members that couldn't get out of Europe and had to be replaced at the last minute and the course designer, Mike ES, is somehow arriving tonight. The venue looks amazing and we walk the course tomorrow after the first session of dressage.
We attended the rider briefing this morning and I have never hear so much whooping and cheering in a rider briefing before it was well........very American I must say. It was kind of good as it sounded like the entire group was very interested in what was being said.
I'll sign off now - see ya
Megan
