The two-week sauna has come to a close as far as competitions are concerned. Naturally, I have to write a few serious articles and crop a bunch of photos to meet deadlines for publication, but I thought I would share some of the fun things from the Games in Tryon, NC.

I had heard about southern hospitality, but one must experience it in person to understand how deep it runs and how sincere it is. Total strangers have been completely accommodating and generous with their offers, and I am finally getting used to people calling me ma’am. To any volunteers, employees of the venue and people within the greater community who read this, I once again say it was a joy to have met you.

A Pet Project

Since there were so many disciplines (jumping, dressage, para-dressage, eventing, endurance, vaulting, reining, driving), I thought I would see if I could actually do them all…or a modified version of them given my advancing age.

Jumping – Since the jumping horses go up and down while traveling forward, I believe the ride on the carousel horse counts. No faults incurred unless you count how, at 5’ 11”, I dwarf the horse. Thanks go to Longines for sponsoring the carousel. Kids of all ages loved it.

Dressage and Para-dressage – Riding the simulator counts for my dressage ride and the dismount from it with my twisted left knee and an arthritic right hip must qualify me for para. Thanks go to Barbo Ask-Upmark for the use of the amazing simulator that does both dressage and jumping. I think it would be a great way to retrain your muscle memory and learn what straight and centered really are…not just what feels normal.

Eventing – Dressage phase? Check. Jumping phase? Check. And I think my cross-country trip encompassing 3 provinces and 9 states constitutes my completion of the middle phase. Trust me when I say there were a lot of obstacles along that route.

Endurance – I made it through all the horse inspections while trying to get educational photos, 2 weeks of competition in 8 disciplines at the Games, my own attempts to duplicate the sports, some research, a few interviews plus a ton of photography. And, in the next couple of days, I will finish up the articles with short deadlines before finishing the other ones. Now, that’s endurance!

Vaulting – Once again, Longines provided the horses for my mount and dismount. I even pointed my toes for the dismount photo. Did you notice?

Reining – I had to settle for a sliding stop – indoors, of course – because spinning with my head down made me too dizzy and it didn’t show up well in a photo.

Driving – Four-in-hand? Check. Count the reins if you don’t believe me. And I believe the horsepower rating is within reason. Thanks to Equiline for the use of the reins as well as for showing their people are approachable as well as in possession of a sense of humor.

I also need to thank the photographers who used my camera to aid in my light-hearted attempt at showcasing the various disciplines.

Now off to do my serious work.