Dear Rita,
I hope you are planning your trip to the USET Team Headquarters right now! Winyamaro, who firmly believes that he is the sexiest horse alive, is demanding spectators for our Selection Trials. He traveled a long way to show off his cool moves, so please don’t let him down.
I visited the team headquarters yesterday and had a look around at all the super renovations. New footing in both the indoor and outdoor arenas is a welcome start. The footing comes from a German supplier that just replaced my footing back in Vechta, and I don’t mind telling you that with the right amount of moisture and grooming, it is fantastic.
I barely recognized the renovated indoor arena. Lighter, airier, larger, and with brand new kickboards and mirrors—Gladstone is now a modern, professional training center to be reckoned with.
Winyamaro’s stall is in the upper barn, and I was very proud to see his name printed on the little slip of red, white and blue paper. Ahh, the small details, Rita! W and I will move in on Monday and start gearing up for the first competition on the weekend.
ARE Y’ALL GOING TO BE THERE TO WATCH??? Especially for those dressage enthusiasts who can’t get to the WEG in Kentucky, at Gladstone you will get to see America’s finest compete for the three open spots on the dressage team.
The selections at Grand Prix level will determine our U.S. team for the WEG in Kentucky in September. Additionally, the two weekends of competition also include Junior and Young Rider Championships and Prix St. George/Intermediare I Championships. Here is a schedule for the competions:
COLLECTING GAITS FARM/USEF DRESSAGE FESTIVAL OF CHAMPIONS
Aug. 6 – 8, 2010
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Thursday, Aug. 5
Veterinary Inspections – 4 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 6
Prix St. Georges Test – 2–5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 7
Grand Prix Test – 9 a.m.
Intermediaire I Test – 1–5 p.m.
Sunday, August 8
Grand Prix Special – 9 a.m.
Intermediaire I Freestyle – 1:30-5:20 p.m.
Aug. 13-15, 2010
Thursday, Aug. 12
Veterinary Inspections – 4:00 p.m.
Friday, August 13
Junior Team Test – 10:00 a.m.
Grand Prix Test – 2:00–6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 14
Young Rider Team Test – 8:00 a.m.
Junior Individual Test – 11:00 a.m.
Brentina Cup Test – 2:30–5:00 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 15
Grand Prix Freestyle Test – 8:00 a.m.
Young Rider Individual Test – 12:00 p.m.
Young Rider Grand Prix Test – 3:15–5:30 p.m.
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The bleachers will be covered this year to protect you from sun and rain. Parking at the will cost you $20 for the day, but admission to the event and seating in the bleachers is free. Or you can choose VIP seating at the ringside, catering tent where a table that seats six will cost you $4,500 for both weekends, or $2,000 for the first weekend and $2,500 for the second weekend.
VIP seating includes free parking and catered breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks—all that with the price divided between six good friends adds up to a lovely weekend of dressage. Call Randy Leoni at (908) 256-9787 for VIP reservations.
Getting to Gladstone is easy, and if you have never been before, just type “1040 Pottersville Road, Gladstone, N.J.” into your navigational system. Newark is the closest airport (30-45 minutes) to the USET, and both JFK and LaGuardia (2-3 hours) are doable.
Rita, it’s simple. Come watch! I hope to see you there.
I’m Catherine Haddad, and I’m sayin it like it is from Bedminster, N.J.
Training Tip of the Day: How often do you watch riders who are better than yourself? This is one of the most effective training tools you can employ.
