As I lay here in my “snooze box,” which is the equivalent of a very small luxury freshman dormitory room, I feel like it’s the calm before the storm. Or I suppose it is actually already storming. Please somebody turn off the water, this cross-country can not handle one additional drop of rain!

All horses looked great at the jog yesterday and have been looking super in their work this week. Trailblazers Buck, Sinead and Phillip are our U.S. representation for dressage today and they put in solid tests, rounded out by Kim, myself and Boyd tomorrow. 

We all feel we have something to prove and a statement to make, and will be storming Normandy this weekend with as much fight as we can muster. I absolutely know come Saturday we will all be fighting our way around Pierre’s relentless cross-county. 

The terrain and deep going added to the already massive and extremely technical course make this a true world championship course. And the dreary rain and weather make me feel like we’re going to battle, even though I wouldn’t mind staying to take a nap in my snooze box instead. 

Last night we had a lovely reception with all of the American riders, staff and supporters, and were accompanied by a large contingent of owners, friends and family. Owners and syndicates from each of the team horses were here, as well as many owners and supporters of other U.S. horses and riders not competing this weekend, who have come to Normandy to support the entire U.S. team. Last night was really special. I saw familiar faces, met a lot of new ones, and the support and excitement from everyone there was contagious.

Please stand behind our army of six as we head into battle for the weekend. It’s a fantastic group of horses and riders who truly care and believe in each other, which is a fantastic component considering we’re all extremely competitive and on most days are actually trying to beat each other at the game. But this weekend we’re all fighting for America to bring home our best possible result. 

We’re an army of six—plus so many more standing behind us!

So excited to have my parents here supporting and cheering!

Hanging out with Donner and David O’Connor.

One of the Chronicle’s bloggers, eventer Lynn Symansky placed fifth at the 2013 Rolex Kentucky CCI**** and 13th at the 2013 Pau CCI**** (France) with her Donner. They were also part of the U.S. team gold medal effort at the 2011 Pan American Games. Lynn and Donner have been named to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. Lynn runs her Lynn Symansky Equestrian out of Middleburg, Va.

You can read all about Lynn and Donner in her previous blogs.