The trailers came marching one by one...

The wind shifted today and everything started to change.  It wasn't so quiet and peaceful anymore.  It didn't feel like we were on a camping trip...Trailers arrived all day long, unloading horses and riders.  Folks set up their horse's stalls and their tack stalls.  Riders tacked up their horses and got them accustomed to their new surroundings.  Everyone rode up in the Show arena. There was lots and lots of activity!

Kristina Wang, a young rider this year, and her mom, Tracy came over to say "hi".  We met them in Gladstone for the 2007 Festival of Champions.  It was great to see them back with Kristina's beautiful mare, Belladiva.  Kristina has been working with the Barteau's in Illinois while taking a year off from college.  

Jess rode up in the Show arena at 10 am.  It is about a 10 minute walk from the tent stalls to the Show arena.  A beautiful walk through an amazingly lush and green meadow.  There are bleachers surrounding the arena and the usual judges huts.  There are plants and flowers and banners.  It is a lot for a horse to take in and not be freaked out by!  Jess entered the arena and because we have been here since Saturday night, Coda has been in that arena 2-3 times a day walking around and exploring all the stimuli.  He was terrific today!  Karen schooled Jess surrounded by the likes of Debbie McDonald, Adrienne Lyle,  and other riders and trainers from Juniors to Grand Prix riders.  It was fun and interesting and humbling.  Karen, Jess and I were reminded of how incredibly fortunate Jessie is to be here for the third year in a row.

Alyssa's lesson was after Jess, so we headed back to the tent stalls to give Coda a bath.  We iced him and hung out and talked.  Melody decided she had to find one of my amazingly versatile portable electric generators.  So, after feeding Coda lunch, we headed for the nearest Home Depot to get one for Melody and one for Karen.  We all enjoyed a fun lunch together and then Karen announced it was time for us to "entertain her".   We went shopping at the mall!  It was actually lots of fun and Jess found an adorable dress and really cute shoes for the Competitor's Party tomorrow night.  

After having about a half an hour at the hotel, we headed back to the barn to feed and do our chores.  Fellow Junior rider, Ellen Wall and her mom, Emily and trainer, Annaliese Vogt-Harber had arrived, so we greeted them and heard about their trip from Atlanta to New Jersey. We had dinner reservations at the Gladstone Tavern,  so we rounded up Melody and Alyssa and made our way to the main barn to check in and get out registration materials before we went to dinner.  We had such a fun time at dinner!  We laughed, told goofy stories and enjoyed delicious food.  

Night check was quick!  We picked the stall, gave Coda a few flakes of hay, put on his blanket (it is still only in the mid 50's at night...brrrrrr!), and filled his water buckets.  Then we headed back to the hotel for alone time.

Tomorrow is the Jog and Competitor's Party!  A Huge Day!