This morning the grooms, along with Jen, Karl, and Nick, left with the horse lorrie at 5:45 am for Reims. There was not enough room in the van for everyone, so Michael and I were lucky enough to sleep in a bit and leave with Michele at 8:00. I enjoyed three more blissful hours of sleep in the car and woke up as we were driving down Champagne Avenue, the street where the horse show is located along with at least three famous champagne wineries. It turns out that the city of Reims is famous for its champagne!
When I arrived at the show, the grooms and other riders had already set up the stalls and it was time to ride. The show is absolutely beautiful! It is set on a hill in between two vineyards and is covered in trees. It seems to be a park as well as a horse show ground because, on the way to the schooling area, I saw three guys out jogging and a huge bus of small children came to have a picnic by the ring. I flatted Karonda first and she was very wild! The trip seemed to have no effect on her energy level, and she is ready to go. Tusker was very good and quiet, and he did not even spook when small children began popping out of the trees to spy on the schooling area. The other riders' horses seem to be feeling great and tomorrow everyone will jog for soundness.
After everyone finished riding, Michele and my dad carted our ridiculous number of giant suitcases back to the hotel. There was not room for both people and luggage in the cars, so the riders and grooms had to wait at the barn. The wait seemed endless and everyone, especially Nick, got very hungry and grumpy! Jen and I kept ourselves entertained by putting up the USA banner and tack curtains. This project took several attempts because we accidentally put up the wrong curtains and the wrong banner, and then we put the curtains up backwards. We kept trying and eventually got it right! It was definitely another great team bonding experience.
My dad and Michele eventually made it back to the show and took everyone to the Novotel where we are staying this week. Jen and I ate dinner in the hotel restaurant, which was great aside from the fact that it took a VERY long time for the waiter to take our orders and bring the bill. Clearly we are in France! Both of us are very excited about the Carrefour store across the street, which seems to be the European version of Walmart, because we will have access to food without having to eat five hour long meals. Tonight we are taking it easy and tomorrow we will jog the horses at 9:00 am!
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