Day 12: Team Bonding.

Day 12, 5/20/10:

Today all the riders had a second lesson with Mr. Barnabus. His teaching proved to be just as effective the second time around, and we all felt more confident in our saddle polishing abilities. The horses were also much more supple and willing to cooperate in their lateral work today. Our lessons were spread out through the day, with Taylor finishing her second horse at 3:30 pm. Lizzy was determined that we would go on an adventure to see the Aachen show grounds, but Taylor was under strict orders from the USEF to get a team picture, so all the riders and grooms dragged themselves out to the barn and lined up for a snapshot with Mr. Barnabus, Lizzy, and Henk.

After this wearisome photo shoot, the whole crew piled into the van and headed to Germany. In our usual confused American way, we got lost and drove in circles quite a bit, turning the 45 minute trip into over an hour of aimless wandering. However, our new trusty GPS (which entertains everyone by giving instructions with an Australian accent) came through for us in the end, and we arrived safe and sound at the incredible Aachen stadium. We walked up a quiet road shrouded by trees, past rows of sleek white barns and a very strange statue of two horses playing together, and right up to the infamous Aachen ring. It was truly spectacular, with giant stands surrounding the crisp green grass like a football stadium. It is hard to imagine the excitement and adrenaline induced by walking into a ring like that for competition!

We documented the trip to the show grounds with another team picture, and then headed back to the car and drove to the center of town. As our first truly touristy adventure, we toured the Aachen Cathedral, also known as the Imperial Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in northern Europe. Construction on the building was initiated by Charlemagne in 792, and the famed emperor is buried in a vault in the cathedral. Both the interior and exterior of the cathedral are massive and breathtaking!

Everyone was feeling a bit hungry at this point, so we hunted around for somewhere to eat. Unfortunately, we were a party of eleven and the city was very busy, so the restaurant options were limited. After asking some locals where to eat, we found ourselves at a restaurant called Pomm Poss. We should have realized upon seeing the Pomm Pos sign, which featured a dancing potato, that the menu would consist of... potatoes. Quite literally, the only menu options that did not include potatoes were the side salad and the desserts. The American team sure finds interesting restaurants! Everyone managed to find something to eat and afterward we walked to a delicious gelato shop around the corner. Taylor had to get hot coffee because she seems to be unable to dress for cold weather! The days here are very warm, but as soon as the sun goes down the temperature plummets.

We made it back to the farm tonight without any hiccups, and everyone is excited about Nick's 21st birthday party tomorrow!

- Jen and Taylor