Post by coconut on Oct 11, 2010 16:07:22 GMT -5
I guess it's pretty obvious I'm no longer in 24/7 Horse & World Equestrian Games mode...I actually have time to read and catch up on things now!
I couldn't possibly sit down in one post and share my experience but I will say that among the many adventures I've had in my life, this one is right up there near the top..and probably a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.
I did post a few blog entries but it became an incredible marathon of seeing just how much I could cram into each day before I dragged myself to my host-home and collapsed every night. I had hoped to chronicle each day but it was impossible given the amount of energy it took keep up with my designated duties and absorbing as much of the experience as possible. I still never saw all there was to see.
In 15 days I was at the park EVERY day except one, even my "off" days. I had a really great mix of spending time doing official stuff, hanging out with Monica & Chrissy w/her guest from New Zealand, Fiora. We had a blast talking horses and recapping WEG experiences plus a LOT of shopping...or probably more appropriately called "gathering" mode. There were lots of freebies to be had out there... I actually had to stop going to the Trade Show area because I would come home with a NEW bag filled with FREE stuff....lots of publications but also brushes, a hoofpick, tshirts, hats (lots of hats!) and various other items....Do you need to look at the Dutch Warmblood studbook? I have one! why!??! I don't know....because they are drool-worthy!!
By far the greatest experiences were the events themselves. Not mine nor NBC's cameras could possibly catch the feel of being there...the energy, the actual intimacy of it, even in a large venue like the Rolex Arena... there was this sense of being a part of something quite special! There were performances that got me choked up simply because of the beauty & grace...and some moments that made me laugh and some that took your breath away hoping it would end up OK.
I also had several unexpected experiences that made the trip even more fantastic!
Coconut gained a little more of her pseudo-celeb status as I wore my Magnabilities pendant with her photo. ALL of the Arab folks immediately asked what her breeding is...which always opens up the conversation on rescue. I am still floored that there are people deep within the horse world that don't know that rescue is necessary or that a horse of her quality (and I say that because it's one of Leah's gorgeous shots of her that hangs around my neck daily...and makes her look like an Firey Arabian princess, not that we have any clue about who she is or that she's actually any kind of quality at all...outside of being "The Nut") could end up a rescue. I told her story many times while at WEG and as many times talked about the work of SAFE.
I was thanked over and over for the work I do to help "these horses" and I want you to know that my response was always that I am extremely fortunate to belong to a huge community of quality humans who support each other as well as SAFE in helping horses.
I want you to know that the GLOBAL equine community THANKS YOU too....
I am currently working on my next blog entry so the more I write here, the less gets done over there but I hope you'll come and read about the adventure eventually...it's coming out in pieces.
I did want to check in with you folks on the SAFE Message Board because I feel you have helped shape me into the horse woman I've become and what we do DOES make a difference...and it's something that not all horse people do...or think to do.
I couldn't possibly sit down in one post and share my experience but I will say that among the many adventures I've had in my life, this one is right up there near the top..and probably a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.
I did post a few blog entries but it became an incredible marathon of seeing just how much I could cram into each day before I dragged myself to my host-home and collapsed every night. I had hoped to chronicle each day but it was impossible given the amount of energy it took keep up with my designated duties and absorbing as much of the experience as possible. I still never saw all there was to see.
In 15 days I was at the park EVERY day except one, even my "off" days. I had a really great mix of spending time doing official stuff, hanging out with Monica & Chrissy w/her guest from New Zealand, Fiora. We had a blast talking horses and recapping WEG experiences plus a LOT of shopping...or probably more appropriately called "gathering" mode. There were lots of freebies to be had out there... I actually had to stop going to the Trade Show area because I would come home with a NEW bag filled with FREE stuff....lots of publications but also brushes, a hoofpick, tshirts, hats (lots of hats!) and various other items....Do you need to look at the Dutch Warmblood studbook? I have one! why!??! I don't know....because they are drool-worthy!!
By far the greatest experiences were the events themselves. Not mine nor NBC's cameras could possibly catch the feel of being there...the energy, the actual intimacy of it, even in a large venue like the Rolex Arena... there was this sense of being a part of something quite special! There were performances that got me choked up simply because of the beauty & grace...and some moments that made me laugh and some that took your breath away hoping it would end up OK.
I also had several unexpected experiences that made the trip even more fantastic!
Coconut gained a little more of her pseudo-celeb status as I wore my Magnabilities pendant with her photo. ALL of the Arab folks immediately asked what her breeding is...which always opens up the conversation on rescue. I am still floored that there are people deep within the horse world that don't know that rescue is necessary or that a horse of her quality (and I say that because it's one of Leah's gorgeous shots of her that hangs around my neck daily...and makes her look like an Firey Arabian princess, not that we have any clue about who she is or that she's actually any kind of quality at all...outside of being "The Nut") could end up a rescue. I told her story many times while at WEG and as many times talked about the work of SAFE.
I was thanked over and over for the work I do to help "these horses" and I want you to know that my response was always that I am extremely fortunate to belong to a huge community of quality humans who support each other as well as SAFE in helping horses.
I want you to know that the GLOBAL equine community THANKS YOU too....
I am currently working on my next blog entry so the more I write here, the less gets done over there but I hope you'll come and read about the adventure eventually...it's coming out in pieces.
I did want to check in with you folks on the SAFE Message Board because I feel you have helped shape me into the horse woman I've become and what we do DOES make a difference...and it's something that not all horse people do...or think to do.