As intended, I went to the warm-up arena today, and I managed to get standing photos of one horse. Mind you, it was a horse I have wanted a photo of for some time, so that’s good. I’m not sharing at this time as it will be for a future article. Sorry…well, sort of sorry.

Looking at the situation in the warm-up area, I decided a few things:
– Other riders were not likely to stop in a position where I could take halt shots. There were no coaches standing at the rail any longer and everyone was now jumping.
– I was roasting on one side only, and balance appeals to me.
– Going indoors to take the action shots of the photographed horse made sense from an educational perspective.
– After that, I could stand in the tunnel (horse entry/exit area) since I, and others, had been assured that photographers could take up positions at the entry to the old mixed zone.

Sounds practical, right? And it all worked according to plan until I lifted my camera to take a photo from the photographers’ position that had been cleared…you know, the one in the tunnel that is out of everyone’s way.

The ever diligent security men jumped in front of me and said, in very good English, “No photos!” Oh yes, this again. This happened to other photographers as well, so it isn’t just me. Whew!

Fortunately, a volunteer who speaks French and English managed to communicate to the guards that it was allowed and approved by both Christoph (sorry if his name is misspelled) and Andrew, the guys in charge of media and photographers, but I don’t know their actual titles. I do know that I would not want their jobs, though.

The security man, who seemed to be in charge of the guards (picture FBI-type suits, but no sunglasses) in that area, made some phone calls to check the facts. Naturally, nothing changed.

Meanwhile, poor Andrew happened by and was told of the situation. He said that there seemed to be a bit of a blockage somewhere in the information chain. I suggest that was a form of Irish understatement. Therefore, I hereby nominate said blockage, who I assume is a single individual, for entry into the Guinness Book of Records for stubbornness.

To add to the silliness of this situation, site workers were trying to haul chairs, full-length mirrors, rolling clothes racks and clothes hangers out of storage directly behind me and past the horses either waiting to enter the ring or just exiting the ring. I put out an arm to stop them from spooking the horses and was thanked by Pedro for helping save potential wrecks. Can you imagine that mess? Good thing they didn’t do that during dressage!

I thought of it too late, or I would have just lifted my camera so that the security blockade would have formed and stopped the progression of workers while horses were present.

Instead, I was rewarded by one of the workers bumping the water bottle I was sipping from, and I now have an abrasion on the inside of my upper lip. Maybe it was an accident, but I really don’t think so. The culprit smirked every time he passed me after that.

Fortunately, I did manage at least one useable photo from the tunnel as well. But the best part of the day involved finding the right ears.

I spoke to someone gathering information for the organizers of Bromont’s Games in 2018, and I spoke to a nice, Irish lady from Alltech (title sponsor of the Games) about how an accumulation of small things can send out large ripples.

I’m proud of the fact that I had on my constructive hat and not my destructive hat when talking to these folks. I also had a good time joking with some volunteers after the competition and before the media shuttle. I shall reward their efforts with Canadian Flag pins, which they seem eager to possess.

I celebrated with a lovely pasta dinner…to go, of course. And I have decided that I’ll wait until the World Cup Finals in Las Vegas next spring to get more photos of jumpers.

I will likely take in more of the driving competition instead of trying to accomplish anything more regarding jumping at these Games. That is, IF I want to go out in public with my now slightly fat lip.