I am half the man I used to be. No, I have not suddenly gone from “built for the next Ice Age” to “ready for camping in the Lut Desert”, but rather I made a schoolboy error and paid the price. A couple of us decided to escape from the hotel and go for a walk on a local Canadian “trail” – the sun was out and the was a pleasant breeze blowing so the mosquitos were not out to play; the schoolboy error was that the trail was through the woods where the mosquitos most certainly were out to play.
Thursday was an interesting day and, although I cannot stand this expression, very much a game of two halves. I think it would be fair to say that both the Canadian and U.S. teams were a little surprised to find themselves where they were at the conclusion of the first round. All of the U.S. horses jumped extremely and a one fence down for each horse could easily have been clear for each horse. However, the way they came back in the second round was truly “world class” and they thoroughly deserved their Bronze. This was a very hard fought team competition and although it might not have been the biggest Nations Cup course in history, it certainly took some jumping and the time was very tight. The U.S. was the only Nation to secure four clears in the Second Round and it was a very impressive achievement.
Following the Medal Ceremony I was accosted during my perambulation back to the barn – “Hey, the Americans must be extremely disappointed” announced my knowitall accoster. Well this took me somewhat by surprise and recalled me to reality with an earth shattering clonk. My response of “No, our horses jumped superbly and looked extremely fit in the second round. The standard of jumping from many teams was very impressive and thus good for the sport. This was not a destination event for us, but was one of a number of important events this year; and anyway, I suggest you study the facts and results from recent competitions”. I then jumped smartly through in to the accredited area where I could not be pursued by the aforementioned knowitall.
Of course we would have liked to have won Gold. However, Rio is the target and look where the U.S. were 5 days before the Pan Am Nations Cup – winning the German Nations Cup of Aachen (in Mannheim) with 4 different riders to those that jumped here in Caledon. The Canadians and Argentinians that won Gold & Silver were both chasing Rio Qualification which the U.S. achieved in Normandie last year. As a European interloper, I can happily warn those the other side of the Pond that Jumping is alive and well in the Americas and don’t be thinking you are getting all of the cake next year!
I do understand the rule that each nation can only have three athletes in an individual final; it is a clear IOC policy and thus adopted by PASO. It really would not be much of a spectacle if, say, the U.S. or Jamaica had 8 out of 8 athletes in the 100m Final. The jumping rules are very clear and we all knew that it would only be three. As such, Kent Farrington “missed out” on qualifying for the Individual Final as the other three finished on 4 Faults and he was on 5 (finishing joint 9th in the individual rankings after the three qualification rounds). What I cannot get my head around is the fact that if one of the three U.S. horses or athletes had been unfit to compete in the Individual Final, the spot would not have gone to Kent, but would have gone to a GUA or MEX athlete who completed the qualifying rounds on 30 faults and were placed joint 40th. That would have been a very, very bitter pill to swallow and I hope can be looked at by the FEI Rules Gurus.
I am happy to report that all of the U.S. horses passed today’s horse inspection and so McLain, Lauren, and Georgina will be chasing Individual glory this afternoon.
I have been told off for not mentioning all the Team Staff and Team Leadership so I am happy to report that Lizzy Chesson (USEF Managing Director of Show Jumping and Jumping Team Leader here) and Janus Marquis (Show Jumping Physio) are officially “travelling love sisters” – whatever the hell that means!! Suffice to say that there is a real feeling of comradeship amongst the team which bodes well for the future. Being able to have a joke and some fun whilst doing a professional job is essential in this environment.
We are near the end of our stay in Ontario and so I can now say a very, very, very big thank you to all the staff at the Hockley Valley Resort, just outside Orangeville. This has been our home for the last three weeks and we have been looked after us superbly. Comfortable accommodation, superb food, and a beautiful, peaceful location. I particularly liked the fact that their vegetables and salads are home grown. This really is a stunning area and if you need a break then head to the Hockley. Yes, it has a golf course which is not “my thing” – I always thought golf courses destroyed good hunting country back in the UK, but there we go. So thank you Hockley people…..
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As soon as the class finishes today we will begin stripping out the stables and packing for the journey home. Some of the riders and staff go tonight with the remainder leaving early in the morning. We will load all of the kit tonight and two of the horses will be on the road early tomorrow morning back to the New York area. The other two are flying to Europe in a couple of days and will leave from Canada. International jet setters these jumping horses!
Christy Baxter and I get to drive an SUV back to New Jersey which will be a tad more comfortable and a little quicker than the van we drove up here. Tomorrow will be an early start!
So my first U.S. blog draws to a close. This has been a very interesting three weeks for me; I have learnt much, have a great deal to reflect on and know, that if we are to feature on the Rio Medal Table, we have a great deal to do. The team staff have given 110% and the grooms have been professional, dedicated, witty, and welcoming.
We still have one competition to go and that will be reported on later today, but I will be packing and sweating so the laptop (with new screen) will be safely residing in my car.
Thank you to all the equestrian management group staff here at Caledon have been fantastic and I know they are managed and lead with the loving touch of the Boss, one Mr. Always Smiling Craig Collins:
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I want to finish with a final thank you to our sponsors, suppliers, to all the USEF Members and of course the USET Foundation and their generous donors. In this day and age, to win medals, the athletes and horses must be supported by professionally run programs and talented support staff. This costs money. We have a number of exciting programs that will be launched in the coming weeks and months – these will also need funding!!! So thank you, thank you for supporting and continue to support the U.S. Equestrian Teams.
Adieu
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Chapter 10: Fight Song and Nations Cup
It is a little known fact but I used to play the Clarinet; not very well, but I could raise a little ditty on it. My Mother teaches the piano, flute and (unfortunately) sometimes the recorder. Music has therefore always been present in my life. I must admit that I have never been to a popular music concert (I cannot understand the concept of paying for a seat and then standing up), but I do like most types of music. Classical music is usually playing in my office, but I remember we had a great deal of fun in Hong Kong in the car from the venue back to the hotel each night having a damn good singalong……didn’t we JM? Anyway, I have grown very fond of a song that has been playing on the radio a great deal in Toronto, Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” – the chorus seems to have a great deal of applicability to sport (I know, I am a little bit west of weird);
This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
(Starting right now) I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me
Today is Nations Cup day or the Team Jumping (Show Jumping) medal day, but rewinding 48 hours it was the First individual Qualifier and First Round of the Team Competition. A great deal has already been written about this as the Round did not really count for too much: Essentially it decided the starting order for today’s Nations Cup and started the process of whittling down the field of 50 to the 35 that will qualify for the Individual Final. Some are, understandably, against this format, but I remain a little “on the fence”: I do think it was a good opportunity for all to get a “round under the belts” and it also gives the course designer an opportunity to see how the horses are jumping. I personally like a format where Nations Cup day starts with all Teams on 0, but can see the argument for the format used at, say, the World Equestrian Games. What I do think could be done more effectively is explaining the format and explaining the sport to the crowd. I did enjoy watching La Baule Nations Cup on FEI TV where Tiffany Foster was a “guest” commentator – having current top level riders speaking to the crowd / audience and explaining what riders might be thinking / aiming for etc, does help bring the sport alive.
It was a good day for the U.S. with all four riders jumping clear. USA therefore retains its position as last to go in the start order. There were a large number of clears, but I kinda look at the first day as akin to the “compulsories” in many sports – perhaps not the most exciting, but still interesting!
Yesterday was a rest day for the horses and all were worked lightly on the flat. I spent the morning catching up on non-Pan Am related work and also giving another Land Rover a well-earned bath. In the afternoon we headed back to the venue for a briefing by the FEI: In April this year the FEI Sports Forum took place in Lausanne during which presentations were given and discussions took place on the possible future format for equestrian sport, specifically at the Olympics and World Equestrian Games (WEG). We were not given hard and fast proposals rather possible changes and developments that were presented for discussion. As a sport we have to remain on the crest of the wave; not in front and certainly not behind. I found the discussions fascinating although I cannot (currently) sign up to reducing from 4 to 3 athletes in jumping. Yesterday was an abridged version of the Sports Forum, focusing on the jumping presentations and delivered by the sartorially impeccable John Roche. John (Director of Jumping at the FEI) must have one of the most irksome jobs in sport – I wonder when he last had a phone call saying “Hi John, just ringing to say everything is ok, I have no complaints and I love the FEI”…..
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Last night we decided to escape the hotel and head in to Orangeville for a Canadian steak. An errant, but admiringly brave, goose impeded our progress, but it was a fun evening.
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I have started to reflect on the lessons I have learnt personally over the last (nearly) three weeks. I was very lucky in Great Britain to work with almost the same Team Staff for the entire 11 years I was Performance Director and I think it is fair to say we grew to, very effectively, know how each other thought and operated. Now I have moved to the U.S. it is a new team I am working with and I need to assess how I can be as effective as possible in supporting them. Much food for thought over the coming days, but the Pan Ams have been a great rehearsal for Rio.
Team competition / Nations Cup is under way as I write. If the judges don’t start pressing the bell a little quicker, we will still be here at midnight. Fingers crossed…. it is now Show Jumping’s “fight time”.
Chapter 9: Another Scintillating Day of Competition for Eventing and the Early Beginnings of Jumping
For some, today started early or maybe it was that yesterday finished late; I am not too sure (and I suspect neither are they)!
Reflecting back to yesterday, it was another scintillating day of competition, with the Individual medals being decided at the last jump by the last rider. Whilst Ruy Fonseca will rue the last fence, which cost him Gold, the Brazilians had a very impressive Pan Am Eventing competition. Like the U.S. they had three riders complete on their dressage scores with only one fence down across the team in the show jumping phase. They are certainly on the up ahead of next year. Having been through the journey to a home Games with the Brits and London 2012, it has been very interesting to see how the Brazilians have been upping their game here and also how the Canadians have been dealing with home advantage and the inevitable home disadvantage. A home Olympic Games is second to no other sporting event in the world – fingers crossed they can pull it out the bag for Boston 2024.
So back to the U.S. performance yesterday: cool as cucumbers were those U.S. eventing riders. I am sure there are those cynics that will say that PAG is a 2* and that there were 18 clears, but those cynics (and oh how easy it is to be cynical in sport) were not watching or part of yesterday’s battle royal – it was a proper Championships with a tense atmosphere and very real pressure to perform. Boyd and Phillip may have been on many teams before (although I am certain they felt the pressure as well), but for Lauren and Marilyn to keep a cool head the way they did at their first Games is good news for the future of U.S. eventing. So now the Stars & Stripes have been run up the central and highest flag pole at Caledon four times in 10 days – I rather suspect the locals are a little pissed at us and will be seeking revenge in the jumping. We also received notification late last night that Boyd is to be inducted in to the Magician’s Hall of Fame….
The jumping horse inspection passed without incident yesterday and today they had an opportunity to jump or school (flat in U.S. speak??) in the main arena for 90 seconds per horse. It is a long week with two rest days for the jumping horses, but battle starts tomorrow. This is really just the peripheral skirmishes prior to the full frontal assaults being launched on Thursday. The competition cannot be won tomorrow, but it is essential to have a positive start. The U.S. is of course already qualified for the Olympic Games following their superb performance at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy last year. Moral is also very high following the win in Mannheim (Germany) in the Nations Cup (team competition) last Saturday – winning a Nations Cup in Germany is no mean feat; to win the German’s 100th Nations Cup is very, very special. Go go go USA (can someone please explain to me what this means . . go where???). If I was a betting person (which I am not), I would say there could be at least 5 jumping teams here with a sneaky feeling they might be standing on the podium come Thursday – U.S and Brazil do not need to think about Rio qualification, but I think it could be a humdinger of a competition.
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We started loading the eventers kit at 7 a.m. well, when I say we, I really mean the Boys that Can or the on-site logistics team who have been fabulous throughout the Games. I don’t think they were too happy to have U.S. eventing as their first customers of the day; plenty of lifting needed to shift all of the kit. Horses loaded they were on their way by 8 a.m. Christy, Leah, and Dr. Mark Heart (who departs today for his son’s wedding….I would have chosen staying for the Jumping!!) skipped out the eventing stalls and we made sure everything was neat and tidy. Whilst my desk always looks like a paper mill has been sick on it (not a dissimilar feeling to how a road between our hotel and the airport is currently feeling….) I do believe that the barn should be as clean and tidy as is practical at a Championships and should look as smart for the last horse to compete as it did for the first.
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The eventing team has a passionate, enthusiastic, and large band of loyal followers who go beyond “turning up to Championships” in terms of the support they give. Thank you to all of these generous supporters who see and believe in the road ahead and help make it possible for the team to travel that road. Also, many thanks to all of the donors who have financially supported all of the teams through the USET Foundation – without the moral support and without the benjamins / big ones / greenbacks / smackers, we could not support the teams in a professional way. A big thank you from all of Team USA at the Pan Am Games.
The day finished with the first of what will be four visits to the car wash to ensure the Land Rovers look pristine clean. If you want a reason why, read Legacy (it’s about the NZL All Blacks rugby team). My current literal perusal is called Mandela’s Way – which articulates some of the lessons one can learn from Nelson Mandela. I can’t think why I have been drawn to a book like this, since joining the oasis of calm, the one team approach, the one for all and all for one, the mutually respectful…environment that is the U.S. equestrian landscape; a book that deals with such lessons as “Have a core principal” or “See the good in others” or “Know your enemy” or even “Know when to say no”. Hummmmmm
Chapter 8: Eventing Takes Center Stage and Jumping Arrives
It has been a very busy few days and I have been most remiss in not keeping you up-to-date with what has been going on. There have been some great photos on Facebook and end of day roundups by our media guru, Leah Oliveto, so I hope all have not been totally in mushroom land.
Our first jumping horse, Ohlala, arrived late on July 16 along with groom Zane Josta and a bunch of other horses, grooms, and kit. They had flown in to Toronto direct from Europe landing at 10 p.m. and reaching the venue just before midnight. Well to be more accurate, all horses, all grooms, and all equipment less for Ohlala’s and Zane’s arrived at the venue. For some reason the Toronto Customs authorities felt an emotional attachment to the aforementioned absent kit and decided to “have it round for a sleep over”. Ohlala had her overnight bag and settled in to her new digs very quickly. It was a late night.
The eventing competition has been a whirlwind; only one day of dressage and a cross-country venue that is some 25 minutes’ drive away has meant for late finishes, early starts, and some logistical challenges. Dressage day somewhat damaged my green credentials as I made four trips to the cross-country (XC) venue to deposit kit and along with the Eventing Team farrier Steve Teichman, set up the stables for the arrival of the horses. Put politely, the U.S. Eventing Team does not travel to XC with just hand luggage and we did rather look as if we had taken up residence, but always remember the 7Ps; Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance – we were ready for everything. The weather for XC day was forecasted to be very hot so crates of bottled water were transported for humans and fans put up in each stall for the horses. The latter necessitated some precarious climbing in order to access the power outlets.
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Dressage was a hard fought battle with the Brazilians (coached by Kiwi supremo Sir Mark Todd and GBR dressage experto Anna Ross) were very impressive, but the Americans came out a short nose in front. Talking about cross nation staff, how about an American vet, working for the Canadians, married to a German working for the British, about to move to Britain to work for the New Zealanders! The Canadians were also very much in the mix and although their fourth rider (i.e. the non-counting score) was slightly further back than the fourth rider for BRA and USA – this would prove costly on XC day. There was also, allegedly, some targeted cheering that by a certain nation that may have upset a horse from another nation – if these rumors are true it is not very sporting and what goes around comes around.
The XC day dawned…and it was thick fog that gave way to bright sunshine, then cloud, and then settled to patchy cloud with a light breeze. Although hot, it was not as bad as it might have been. The horses started loading at about 6 a.m. and were at the XC venue by 7 a.m. and very happy to find good quality grass and clover in their day stalls – heads down they were oblivious to the meticulous planning going on around them. With the first “bum on the run” not due to 11 a.m. I did manage 20 minutes shut-eye, until I fell off the hay bales I was fast asleep on (it was a damn good dream).
I have finally made it as an American; I am no longer an Alien in Residence. I was given, actually given in to my hands, a Team USA radio – a radio all to myself - and asked to take up station on the XC course and report back. Oh what misery, what dejection what a feeling of desolation, when I found that I could not speak to anyone on the radio due to the hills. Back to Alien status.
All four of the U.S. riders rode brilliantly and when I made it back to the stalls it was to a sea of happy faces. Well most were happy until it dawned on us there was much kit to pack up for the journey back to Caledon; but this was achieved efficiently and quickly (the packing that is).
The journey back was perhaps not the smoothest (prolonged would be an applicable adjective), but Joanie worked her magic and the U.S. horses were among the first to make it back to base. I have this vision (I had left for the Show Jumping Chefs d’Equipe Meeting) of Joanie, with four horses in tow commandeering a 40’ horse truck and setting off in to the distance a determined grin affixed to her face. Getting it done; that’s the mission.
By the time we left the spectators had long gone, but it appears the decision to limit the number of spectators was sensible as the few routes in/out became very clogged after competition. I am sure they had a wonderful day and it all took place in a very scenic part of Ontario with trees for shade and plenty of natural obstacles on which one could plant one’s weary butt.
While XC had been going on the remainder of the jumping horses arrived. Equine arrivals at last complete!
And so to the Second Horse inspection. All passed, but Pancho Villa (Boyd Martin) who had been fearless on the XC decided that the crowd of 347 spectators and a confused crow were very scary and not to be approached along the jog lane; “trot – not on your life – I am standing exactly where I am”.
The Show Jumping phase is about to start….
Chapter 7: More medals for dressage, eventing getting underway, and jumping horses arriving soon!
As I type I am watching Beach Volleyball on live streaming, projected on to the wall in the Equestrian Athletes' Lounge. It is sometimes difficult to remember that one is at a multi-sport Games when you are "eyes down and focused on the equestrian events". It is great to get the regular updates from the USOC each time a U.S. athlete medals and there appears to be a "battle royal" developing between Canada and the U.S. as to who will occupy the top spot on the Medal Table. As of now (10:30 am 16th July) Canada has their nose in front with more Golds, although the U.S. has won more medals.
I intentionally put 16th July, not July 16th - this is one thing I just can not get my British head around; how can it be logical to go Month - Day - Year? We don't go minutes - seconds - hour! Any dates that fall in the first 12 days of each month get me very confused and I know it is only a matter of time before I turn up at the right place on the wrong day and wrong month.
So, rewind. Dressage Individual Medal hunt. Kim might not have had the Freestyle she wanted, but she uber uber performed in the second round of the Team competition and every time she looks at that Gold she, and all her team, should remember her name is stamped front and center on it. You will have seen the results by now, but Steffen was sublime, working his socks off to squeeze every possible mark out of Legolas. Laura gave chase and did a fantastic job of landing the Silver, but for me the even better result was seeing a little glitch of annoyance that she hadn't landed the Gold - athletes need to want to win as well as know how to win. The Canadians thoroughly deserved an Individual medal - collectively they have taken dressage in Canada to new levels and whilst we, the U.S. may be looking over the Pond at the Europeans we need to be damn careful to keep a very close eye on our neighbours from the North.
So it was time to say goodbye to our dressage squad - they came, they saw, and they most certainly got the job done. Rio is very close now and we have a huge amount of work to do between now and then; we will watch the European Championships in Aachen with interest. Germany, Netherlands, and Great Britain will all have strong Teams, but the Danish and a number of other countries will, I believe, be also upping their game.
We were in the barn for 4:50 a.m. and the horses / kit were loaded and on their way by 6ish and then the hard work started. All 5 stalls stripped of bedding, washed down with disinfectant, and 3 of them bedded down with new shavings by 9.05 a.m. go go go Baxter Connell Hart power!
The Dressage horses head back to Gladstone, N.J. rest a little there, before flying or driving back to their home barns for a well earned rest.
Riders, staff, and owners also departed. As did Jenny Van Wieren-Page, who headed back to Lexington. This was Jenny's swan-song as Managing Director of Dressage and Team Leader. We will miss her whit, her insightfulness, her ability to travel with one (very small) suitcase, and of course her hand on the dressage tiller.
Thank you to all that supported dressage; sponsors, owners, the Federation, the Foundation, and of course the donors that give so generously to the Foundation. Job done for the Pan Ams; on to Rio.
This has been a quiet couple of days for eventing, but this morning the cross-country course opened for inspection so off they set in the Land Rovers to have their first walk. By all accounts, they liked it so much they decided to walk it twice. I await reports!
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Show Jumping start to arrive today with Lauren Hough's horse flying in from Europe tonight with 11 others. Lizzy Chesson (Team Leader) and Tim Ober (Team Vet) also arrive today. The train roles on.....
(More photos coming soon!)
Chapter 6: Individual Dressage Competitor Kerfuffle and Eventing Arrivals
Put simply, it has not been a simple 36 hours.
We raised a glass to our Team Gold medalists and then attention turned to preparing for the Individual Dressage (Freestyle) competition and for the arrival of the Eventing Team. The evening did not finish quite as planned as a foreign object landed in the wrong place on my laptop. Laptop is now in a Canadian Computer Hospital having a new screen fitted. I should have realized this would be the start of things to come. So apologies if there is a lack of photos today; I need to revisit how I transfer them from my camera to the blog.
The FEI Bulletin (read here) accurately reflects the chain of events that led to Sabine Schut-Kery being informed at the 11th hour and 59th minute that she would not be allowed to compete in the Freestyle. This is the first time the Pan Am Games (and possibly any Games / Championships) has run with both Small and Big Tour and there was always going to be glitches that needed resolving. These are best resolved by Team Leaders/Chefs d'Equipe and the leaders and custodians of the sport working together to try and find a mutually acceptable way forward. Sometimes this is not possible and rulings must be made, appeals addressed, and in the final extreme, the legal avenue followed. I have been party to all of these outcomes and the "mutually acceptable" route is by far the most favorable (on the proviso that there is not any danger of issues developing at a later date), and by far the best for the development and public image of the sport concerned.
I have, however, never been in a situation where a mutually acceptable solution has been agreed to by all Chefs d'Equipe only for two to change their minds later in the day. Respect can never be demanded and takes time to be earned; honorable behavior is every person's choice and every person's decision. Yesterday I saw dis-honorable behavior and my (and I suspect others') respect for certain people was destroyed. A sad day for the sport. A very sad decision for Sabine, her connections, and the owners of the wonderful Sanceo; all of whom behaved with incredible grace and understanding with regards to the decision.
So while all of the nonsense was going on, the eventers snuck in with a rental truck FULL of kit.....there was me thinking they were only here for a week! The horses followed in a separate truck and all arrived safe and happy. It worked very well having the kit and horses separated and made for a far smoother arrivals process for the horses.
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Yesterday concluded with a reception for the dressage owners. The owners are so essential, so generous, and so supportive: this has been a great team to work with and the owners have been right at the heart of creating a wonderful team environment. The only downside to the evening was a damn squirrel lurking outside the marquee we were in.....
So to Dressage Individual Medal day. The eventers rode and then the grooms set off to Nottawasaga to validate their accreditation. Nottawasaga (the satellite accreditation office) has been another ongoing ...saga... with the opening dates/times not entirely meeting the needs of the equestrian teams. The alternative to Nottawasaga (for those not arriving through the International Airport) is a trip to downtown Toronto which could extend in to a journey of many hours. The USOC have been very supportive and have continually driven home the message with the organizers.
Sabine was allowed to ride a "demonstration" freestyle and they produced a stunning test; unfortunately there was no marking / scoring so the score of 99.999% can't officially be confirmed!
And now we wait for battle to commence for the medals.
Chapter 5: U.S. Dressage is going to the Olympic Games
The green light came on yesterday and it was all systems Go Go. Time for the Dancing Ponies to wow the Toronto crowds.
First blood in the circles and bumps challenge went to Canada with their Small Tour riders pulling out all of the stops and demonstrating that if anyone thinks this team competition was going to be a walk over, they were severely over confident or had been cohabiting with, and copying the antics of, ostriches.
Sabine and Kim rode blinders and then it was the turn of Laura and Steffen; both were excellent. I hope you have seen the press release from yesterday, but we finished the day with our noses just ahead of the Canadians.
So on to today. As the sun rose over the Ontario hills, the troops took up their positions ready for the battle that would decide who was to march on to Rio next year. Swords sharpened, cuirasses polished, harness bliffed, the steads, one by one, entered the Lists and faced the Canadian challenge. Our Knights stared down their lances, focused on delivering that winning blow and charged in perfect harmony, graceful, powerful, accurate and rhythmical.
What happened? Well they KICKED SOME BUTT. Team Gold and the Road to Rio is open and we are marching down it!
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The Canadians were also outstanding and it was one hell of a good battle. Qualifying for the Olympics is a huge deal and I know they will be a little disappointed, but there is still the individual route and they have outstanding horses and athletes. Brazil landed the Bronze…but you will have heard their screams of delight in Southern California!
There are some people in the equestrian world that are omnipresent at Championships and Games and without whom no Games or Championships could run smoothly. One of these fine upstanding individuals is Pedro Cebulka. Pedro is Master of the In Gate – he is the one that makes sure all athletes enter the Field of Play on time, he is the ring master for medal ceremonies, and he is the fountain of all knowledge and the purveyor of fine headgear! More importantly Pedro understands people; he knows who needs cajoling, who needs comforting and who needs a verbal kick up the arse. Thank you Pedro.
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With the start of competition, the usual Games scenarios were ever present; a Games relies on Volunteers and these Volunteers do not have long to learn the myriad of rules and regulations that some of spend days and hours reading. Being told, yesterday, I couldn't take photographs by a volunteer just trying to do their job was a new one on me - I quoted the various rules, guides and policies, but could not persuade the person I was correct (I was); but dumbo me, if I had just turned my accreditation over it was written in black & white on the back.....silly, blind me.
So, just to clarify. We, USEF, do not have any access to, control over or rights to any televising, streaming, filming, or general recording of, the equestrian events at the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games. These rights belong to CBC - neither we or Equine Canada can control what is being live streamed or broadcast. Sorry, but that is the state of play and however hard we get beaten over the head about it, we cannot broadcast the Games on the USEF Network!
A good day at the office and now we can focus on the Individual Freestyle competition. We have much to do ahead of Rio and the work starts now. I guess a little glass of fizz may be in order, but the eventers arrive tomorrow so no rest for some of us!
Chapter 4: Down Time, Horse Inspections and Whacky Races
Thursday was one of those rare days at a Championships/Games when the sequence of events allowed time for reflection and for catching up with some non-Pan Am Games related work. This in no way diminishes the importance of what yesterday’s schedule entailed. The Dressage Horse Inspection passed without incident, well, apart from the two horses that escaped their handlers (not U.S. horses I hasten to add). The U.S. horses looked fantastic and sailed through the Inspection. We are so lucky to have such generous supporters, suppliers and sponsors; the horses all looked very smart and very much a team in their Horseware Ireland rugs.
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I have been in the States now for coming up to ten months; moving here and leaving Great Britain (and Team GBR) was not an easy decision, but not one I regret. I needed a change and a new challenge and I think my wishes have not been found wanting. That said, there are many many similarities in the challenges we faced in the UK to those we face in the U.S. The geography is a very obvious difference/challenge and the size of the U.S. and the Eurocentric nature of much of the top end of equestrian sport places burdens on U.S. athletes / owners / programs that did not exist in the UK. A huge positive of being in the U.S. is the generosity of philanthropic donors – so thank you, thank you, thank you to all those that support the programs and teams by donating to the United States Equestrian Federation High Performance department through the USET Foundation. Without your support and the work the USET Foundation does, we could not prepare and campaign the teams or develop athletes for the future. We need to grow the programs and grow the support we attract (and better explain what we are doing/wanting to do), but that is for another day and another blog!
One area that I have found “interesting” and a little disappointing is the regular “kicking” of the Federation linked to the subject of governance (sometimes by those that have been architects of the current Federation/Affiliate structure). Every National Federation and International Federation has to “govern”; without good governance a sport cannot be protected, be safe, be fair, be legal, be fiscally viable, or be successful. The protection good governance gives cannot exist without the inevitable impediments of good governance – regulation / governance is not a Smörgåsbord; one cannot cherry-pick the elements that are appealing and ignore those that are not. I do not like having to drive at 55 mph on some multi-lane roads, but… (no comment please!).
So to Friday and “Arena Familiarization”: This is the only opportunity the athletes get to work in the main arena (the Field of Play in Games parlance) and it is therefore an essential part of the final preparation for the competition. It was (I admit) also the first time I have really sat and watched the horses working and I am happy to report that them American ‘orses danced good today. So that is that. The draw is this afternoon (no doubt it will be lost in a cacophony of angst, questions, observations, rule clarifications and general chit-chat that makes up a Chefs d’Equipe meeting). If the horses can’t perform the tricks now, they are not going to learn by tomorrow!!
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Opening Ceremony tonight (we will not be attending) and “tomorrow they ride”. Oh heck….you want me to explain the Rules for the Team Competition? Ok, so the Ashes are going on in England – you don’t know what the Ashes are?? - They are a very hard fought over biennial Cricket Series between England and Australia. The Ashes are the ashes of the bails used in the 1882 series (they sit on the stumps and the Team that is Out is trying to knock the bails off and thus get the Team that is In, Out, once all that are In are Out then they that were Out become the players that are In…easy). England lost in 1882 and this loss was adjudged to be the death of English cricket – hence the Ashes. The Trophy is gigantic in stature if a little smaller physically (11 cms high). So now that you have worked cricket out, you are qualified to understand the Dressage Team scoring:
A Team is made up of 3 or 4 athletes and there are 2 divisions: Big Tour (Olympic level Grand Prix) and Small Tour (next level down). Teams can have a maximum of 2 Big Tour athlete / horses partnerships. The Team score is decided by the three best scores from each Nation in the first tests (tomorrow) plus the three best scores in the second tests (Sunday). To make things a little more complex, there is a 1.5% bonus added to scores in the Big Tour.
Why is it like this?? This is all about the sport of Dressage developing in the Americas; previously all the tests were Small Tour at the Pan Am Games, but the Olympics are Big Tour and that, in the space of a few words, is how Pan Am Dressage works, demonstrates the sport is growing in the Americas and gives an indication of what might happen in the future.
We also starting work on the departure plans for Dressage and finalizing the arrival plans from Eventing and Jumping. Never forget the 7 Ps – Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents P**s Poor Performance. There is an amount of jigsaw pieces to fit together to ensure arrivals / departures work smoothly and the horses already in the barn are not disturbed. This is also the first PAG when Dressage and Eventing have been allowed Reserves on the Venue – this is causing a tad amount of debate as to how all works.
Talking about Eventing; they are all at a training camp in Virginia where clearly David O’Connor and Joanie Morris have had some intel that the PAG water-jump is going to be of gargantuan proportions.
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Christy is standing by to meet an influx of Owners, CEO, Doctor, family, friends, and general supporters. It will also be great to see Allyn Mann from Adequan – they are such generous, enthusiastic, and loyal supporters of equestrian sport and the teams and it is great that Allyn will be in Toronto, albeit for a short time, before heading back to Lexington for The Adequan / FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships, presented by Gotham North. It is a shame NAJYRC clashes with PAG, but that could not be avoided. Under 21 Championships are an essential part of the development of future senior medalists and I hope NAJYRC can grow and flourish – good luck to all who are making the journey to the Kentucky Horse Park!
I am back at our hotel (travelled in my, soon to be Eventing’s super smart chariot) catching up on work again.
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Before starting on the laptop, I happened to glance outside. I mentioned ENVIRONMENT in an earlier ditty, as being one of the “five pillars” of a High Performance Program / winning medals. Other areas include TALENT and COMMITMENT. The former being somewhat obvious, but applies not just to horses and riders, but all that support them in all roles; the latter is about being “committed” to a long term plan (a long road to success), but also committed to developing excellence.
The aforementioned “glance” outside produced this vision of Golf Carts and Golfers lined up ready for what I can only suppose was some sort of corporate whacky races through the rolling hills of Ontario. But what intrigued me was the “commitment” as they sat and waited…
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Ok, so my brain works in weird ways…
Go Team USA!
…..Please educate a confused Brit . . . . where are we supposed to be going???
Chapter 3: Team USA is Up & Dancing
Yesterday was a busy day and the fingers were all worn out and not ready to hit the keyboard last night; apologies. Not as long a day for me as it was for the Dressage Team, especially the Grooms and Team Vet (Dr. Rick Mitchell) – they were up before the sparrows to load horses and kit for the journey from Gladstone, N.J. to Pan Am Games Equestrian Venue at the Caledon Equestrian Park. The journey went smoothly and the horses arrived looking very happy, but I won’t dance around the subject…why does it take so long at the border to check and stamp pre-authorized papers? There are bunny rabbits, deer and all manner of hairy mammals and scaly reptiles crossing the border every minute of every day. It makes an already long journey a frustratingly long journey.
Horses looked great as they unloaded and some were very full of the joys of summer. The process for horses to “check into their rooms” can be a little more complex than when we humans rock up at a hotel: just let the images run free next time you are standing in front of a check-in – “sorry sir / madam, it is hotel policy that we take a rectal temperature….” (relax…horses have proof of ID and a fairly comprehensive health check).
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The Veterinary Commission did a great job and “check-in” happened smoothly and efficiently. The Equiman onsite logistics “we can do anything, anytime, and very quickly” team proved their value again by taking over the unloading of the accompanying kit. Well, when I say kit, I think freight would be more accurate. Of course the horses need to remain on their usual feed (horses and their digestive systems are creatures of “habit”). But the horse trailer proved to have a Harry Potter touch to it as kit box after box after box after box appeared out of the side doors.
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Grooms are the hardest working people on a team; first in to the stables and last out; their range of skills is never ending; coiffeur to horse and athlete, sports psychologist to horse and athlete, and magician; how they manage to set up stables so quickly is always beyond me, but as they spend their life on the road it is a “bump in” skill they have honed to a fine edge.
Horses walked and settled, the grooms moved in to their campervans whilst Leah Oliveto (our Team Press Attaché) and I traded in our respective job titles for that of Pizza Delivery Person (how PC of me). Grooms fed, riders fed, horses fed, staff fed…time for bed and a bath. Yes, yes, yes, my hotel room has a bath; not quite large enough to indulge in that nearly forgotten pastime of “lying in bath, reading book, drinking whisky” – so my requests for amendments to the Constitution: larger baths, no carry out from restaurants (haven’t gotten my head around that one yet).
Part of the process of winning, or the maybe skill-set required to “win” at a Games or other major Championships is being able to deal with the inevitable frustrations which come with a competition that has extended outside the normal “equestrian” community. At the Pan Am Games there are just over 50 Functional Areas within the Organizing Committee, at London 2012 there were just over 80. By Functional Area I mean from transport to technology, from protocol to waste removal. These Functional Areas need to fit together in perfect harmony and as of course all major Games there are teething problems and the Functional Areas rub together, a little like the tectonic plates. We are now in Phase 2; Phase 1 (for those that get to a Games early enough) is usually a little relaxed as stables are set up and stocked. Phase 2 or the OHTGAN stage (Oh Heck The Games Are NOW), this is often typified by the emergence of new security / HAZMAT threats such as a cup of coffee. Dangerous things those cups of coffee.
Luckily we will soon enter Phase 3 or the WTOCS (Wasn’t The Opening Ceremony Stunning) phase and sangfroid will return as the focus moves to the Field of Play.
As I have said, coping with the aforementioned pressures is essential and part of the role of the Chefs d’Equipe / Team Leaders / Senior Coaches / Christy and I is to absorb these “pressures” and try to create a performance focused bubble for the athletes, horses and grooms. So in other words we are a bit like an umbrella stopping the poop rein down on those that have to win the medals…poop protectors!
So on to today: grooms + vet to the Satellite Athletes’ Village to validate their accreditation (about 80 minute round trip). Horses worked, but not too heavily. Team Office set up. New Picasso makes first public appearance (we put some boards up on one of the stables to give one of the horses more privacy and so I launched my artistic career…).
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A fly past the cross-country venue proved that good progress is being made to the facilities there (horses will not spend an evening there so they are “day stalls).
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The day concluded with the first Dressage Chefs d’Equipe Technical Meeting. I was not going to attend as this is Jenny Van Wieren-Page and Robert Dover’s territory, but as I was still at the venue, I thought I would listen in. Well, what can I say; I am still trying to compute all of what was said and decided….and the draw for the First Horse Inspection – memorable!!
As I finish typing this rambling, disjointed ditty, I am blessed with being able to watch the most glorious sunset from the hotel. This is a stunning part of the world.
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Adieu
Chapter 2: Continued Preparation and a Wander Around the Venue
Today has been a “bits & pieces” day – no, not the pint sized superstar that propelled Pippa Funnel in to the limelight, but a day of a bit of this and finishing off pieces of that.
Today started with a visit to the local supermarket to load up with supplies for the stables. With the grooms working dusk to dawn and the weather varying between humid, hot, and “rather damn pleasant”, it is essential that we have a mountain of drinks (no…not a delectable red wine) and suitable snacks on hand. The lady behind us at the checkout looked like she had swallowed a wasp when she realized we had three shopping carts packed full!
Up then to the venue to finish bedding down the last few stalls, unpack the mountain of “rations”, and set up the floral display. Yes…Christy and I have let our green thumb creativity run riot.
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I have to admit to managing to soak a stable steward when a hose pipe decided to take on a life of its own and perform the dancing snake routine. But, hey, it was hot and she had only just commented that she needed to cool down.
For those that have had the misfortune of hearing me bang on before, you will be recoiling at the mention of the Golden Hour – this is the first hour of the arrival of anyone and everyone at a new venue/Championships/Games. Well hats off to the team at the venue, they have done a fabulous job and could not be more helpful…to learn more about the setup and the team, see www.equiman.com.
It is most definitely a Games and the number of volunteers (bedecked in very smart Dutch Orange polo shirts) and of course FEI Stewards is increasing exponentially.
We finished off our “bits & pieces” and took a wander around the venue. I can report that it is looking very smart and the Field of Play will have a great atmosphere.
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It was then off to say a tearful farewell to our little van, but OMG look what was waiting for us at our hotel. The dream cars have arrived….the “environment” has stepped up a great – thank you, thank you Land Rover.
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Team personnel status: one Team Leader on route to Sweden then Germany then Canada, one Team Leader in Toronto hunting non-issued accreditation, one Team Leader in Virginia minus luggage – that would be the new luggage, purchased to replace recently stolen luggage (removed from a carousel and yes, we have your photo you degenerate thief). One staff member unable to attend PAG due to an illness (our thoughts are with you), one new staff member replacing aforementioned staff member (thank you, thank you for dropping everything).
So having gotten my head around that lot, I went for a run. We are staying at the base of a steep sided valley…the run hurt…a lot.
Chapter 1: Introducing myself, Will Connell, USEF Sport Director and tackling D-6-D-4
My life is over. In the space of 48 hours, I have driven a very colorful (you know, you move) van from New Jersey to North of Toronto, worn jeans, and watched Association Football (soccer) – very, very well done U.S. Soccer, World Champions! I also watched this very, very bad squirrel (apparently named Chippy) meander across the hotel patio and help himself (or even herself) to a potato fry.
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To introduce myself, for those that are fans of the now defunct BBC Top Gear you will be aware of The Stig and when the team travels abroad (say to America) Stig’s American Cousin. I am not sure how I would define myself, but for 11 years I was the Chef de Mission/Team Leader for the British Equestrian Team and now I head to the Pan American Games as the Sport Director for the United States Equestrian Federation. So does that make me the Defecting Defuncting Brit? Those of you with a modicum of calendar awareness will realize I hot-footed it out of the U.S. to Toronto on July 4th; I say no more.
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I say I, but it is not I, it is Christy Baxter and I. Christy is my right arm, right leg, and fountain of all knowledge – it would have been simply impossible for me to have made the transition from one side of the pond to the other without her and it is quite likely that the U.S. Equestrian Team would be heading to the wrong continent on the wrong day with the wrong visas if she was not at the helm.
So why am I sitting at the bar penning these words? Because it is the Pan American Games and U.S. Equestrian is on a Mission. That Mission is to secure Olympic qualification for dressage and eventing and continue travelling down the road to Rio for Show Jumping, but more of that over the coming days.
Our D-6 to D-4 Mission is to make sure everything is set up for the arrival of the Dressage Team. The Pan Ams are a little weird in that there is a linear arrival of the teams in an unusual order; Dressage then Eventing then Show Jumping. So here we are at the Caledon Equestrian Park – a stunning venue for the Games, but more of that on another day.
This preparation is all part of the Golden Hour, about making the arrival process for the horses, grooms, and athletes as smooth, enjoyable, and as glitch free as possible. ENVIRONMENT is one of the five pillars of success. If the environment is not right, and by right I mean “performance enhancing”, then the job of winning medals is made nigh on impossible.
On Saturday we loaded the kit at the United States Equestrian Team headquarters in Gladstone, N.J. and headed North and then it was work, work, work. Well I say that, but we had a very pleasant interlude at the Toronto Airport Hilton where the U.S. Olympic Committee ran a very efficient and very slick Team Processing (or kitting out in my parlance).
Arriving at a Games is not always easy; an Olympics and Pan Ams are VERY different to any other competition. I will touch on accreditation now, but hit the detail on another day. Essentially, accreditation is very very tight; once registered (six months before the Games) and allocated (through a process worthy of the Magicians Hall of Fame) you receive a very smart Pre Validation Card that then, through another off-shoot of aforementioned Hall of Fame becomes, “activated”, laminated and hologramed. It is quite a process and quite a moment to be finally validated and accredited. We (Christy & I) headed to the Satellite Accreditation Center early this morning in order to be first through the gates and were greeted by a logistics person with: (we were in our van) “have you brought the furniture”.
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I finish with (please do not be insulted), but there is a god and that is the person or persons that put all the rubber mats in the stables, beer will be forthcoming as it would have been the physical demise of Christy and I if we had had that herculean task to tackle.
Speak soon – Will