Santo
Domingo
Pan Am Games 2003
August 6 - 10, 2003
 
Wradar, Oldenburg Stallion
Competing for Barbados
Day 2
Wednesday, August 6
Getting ready to go in the ring!
(Note the scooper crew)
Beautifully set up tables Wednesday
morning, but very few people there to enjoy them, probably due to
the unexpected change to the published schedule.
The barns were very nice -light and
airy, with lots of ventilation and light and very comfortable for
the horses
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We had a different driver
today and went the long way round on the new road. It isn't finished
either but in much better condition than the dirt road we took
yesterday. Fortunately, we picked up the schedule before the driver
had left (the rides today will be from 8.30am to 11.00 and then from
3.00pm to 5.00pm. Same tomorrow) and was able to run out and let him
know to pick us up at 11.00am. It is too hot to stay at the
horse park with no airconditioning anywhere. (This could get
expensive at $30 per trip, so $120/day)
Wradar's time was 9.00am and he was already in the warm-up
ring. Akoela and he put in a good ride but with some mistakes,
and a disappointing score of 59.25% would be unlikely to see him
qualify for the Intermediare I.
Can't believe how much work got done at the Equestrian Center
overnight! Construction still ongoing though. Restrooms are still
under construction and full of workers who are hammering and
drilling all through the rides.
Lunch was interesting back at the hotel with a presidential press
conference between the Presidents of Nicaragua and Dominican
Republic - accompanied by many generals and military personnel and a
cavalcade that would have done Goerge W proud! Hotel is also USOC
headquarters, so lots of activity and able to keep up with the news
and scores of the other athletic events.
Competition started back at 3.00pm to a MUCH larger group of
spectators. Carol Lavell was second to go in the afternoon on
her impressive Much Ado. They seemed undaunted by the thunderstorm
and obviuosly slick footing and put in a very good ride for 66.8%.
George Fernandez from the Dominican Republic on a big moving grey
Dutch Warmblood from Las Marismas also put in a very bold ride to
the delight of the crowd for a score of 66.45%. At the end of the
first day it is Canada 1st and 3rd, with USA 2nd and 4th.
Day 3.......
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Still haven't
managed to find Eduardo Muniz, husband of Yvonne Muniz, who is competing for Dominican
Republic. I really wanted to thank him for his most informative emails about where to stay, how to get
around, and for delivering Wradar from the airport to the showgrounds.
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