Emma Smith, a 25-year-old USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist and USDF-certified instructor based in Delano, Minnesota, will be video blogging for the Chronicle from this year’s U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. Smith will be competing in the U25 Grand Prix with Stedemann, a 19-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Stedinger—SPS Weissendra, Hardenberg Donnerschwee) donated to her through the nonprofit Dressage4Kids. Get to know Smith and Stedemann here.

Today, Smith talks about arriving, setting up stalls, and getting her horse settled into the showgrounds at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, in preparation for the week ahead.