Boekelo CIC*** About to Begin...

After a marathon trip from Morven Park to Amsterdam, which included canceled flights, diversions through Manchester, and a mini-van ride from BWI to Philly, it was great to arrive in Boekelo to meet up with my pair of horses Remington & Otis.

Both horses look in good health after their trip. Head groom Lindsey has got them looking magnificent, and they would definitely be contenders for the best turned out award in tomorrow's trot up. Mike Pollard and Tamra Smith's horses also look the part, and worked well today.

Boyd and Mike Pollard

I chose to gallop Remi and Otis both lightly yesterday afternoon when I arrived. I got the feeling on top that both geldings are about right. Mike and I worked with Bettina Hoy on the flat today and she kept it pretty simple: improving their gaits, working on their flexion, and perfecting a few movements from the test.

Lesson with Bettina Hoy

Captain Mark Phillips gave me the news today that Remington would be the horse I will be riding on the USA team in the Nations Cup. I agree with the call, as he has a few more miles under his belt than Otis. It is also a great feeling to get called up on a US team with Remi, as last year he missed his chance due to Neville's selection for the WEG. Unfortunately the USA will have only three horses on the team due to a few last minute injuries.

Stay tuned for results

Tomorrow, we trot up and check out the course.

-Boyd

Off to Holland!

Otis and Remi have embarked on their journey to Holland to compete at The Boekelo CIC3* Three Day Event next weekend. I saw Boyd off to Morven Park early this morning with Thomas, Bo, and a fully packed trailer, while Otis, Remi and I boarded the semi truck headed for JFK airport.

After battling through a morning of NYC traffic on the semi, the horses arrived at the airport in great shape and spent five hours in the quarantine barn, resting up for the big plane ride. Tamra Smith's Mar de Amor and Michael Pollard's DV8 will join Otis and Remi on the journey.

Following the quarantine period, the horses loaded onto a pallet to then be loaded onto the plane. Otis and Remi were experts at the loading process and settled right into their spots, happily munching on hay. They are sharing a pallet with a miniature stud pony, whom Otis has been eying suspiciously all day, not quite sure what to make of him. The good news is that because of the pony's small size, Otis and Remi get a bit more room on the pallet! Stay tuned for photo updates throughout the flight.

The event will officially begin with the first horse inspection on Wednesday at 1:30 pm local time, which is 7:30 am Eastern time. Otis is number 86 and Remi is number 95, which should mean that both of them will do dressage on Friday.

We will keep you posted throughout the week!

-Lindsey Taylor
Head Groom