Tuesday afternoon I began asking where the Driving inspection, trot-up, jog, or whatever you want to call it, would be held. Yes, I knew the time (10:30 Wednesday morning), but I needed to know the location.

At 17:00 on Tuesday I was told that the location had not been decided yet. Really! So I abandoned hope of walking to the jog from my hotel, about 10 minutes  from Driving’s main venue.

Suffice to say that I was eventually directed to the location on Wednesday morning (after the jog started, of course). The location? A field outside the actual venue, but close to the stables.

As shocking as it may seem, the location made sense from a logistical perspective for the horses and their handlers. Wish the communication about the location had been better…a lot better.

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The above photo gives you some perspective of the field, the footing, etc. Personally,  I liked the way the shadows from the trees played on this horse’s dapples.

I am pleased to announce that I was able to obtain conformation shots of several driving horses as well as a good interview with multi-champion Boyd Exell (AUS).

With no security people at the site and just a few volunteers, the drivers and officials sort of organized themselves…smoothly. Unfortunately for the sport, there wasn’t a lot of media presence.

But what an absolutely refreshing experience compared to the lack of common sense and utter rigidity of the security personnel near the end gate of the main stadium.

Dinner last night was divine: a local French restaurant – not as easy to find as you might think – with a 4*-rating, for food and it is just around the corner from my hotel.

Today I plan on trying to obtain conformation (standing /halt) photos of some jumpers by going to the warm-up area. Wish me luck.