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Photo Credit: Miriam Coleman
By Miriam Coleman
Las Vegas - if you want a venue that is going to blow your mind well it would have to be Las Vegas. We've been in the USA for almost a week now and the FEI updates coming through on my Facebook feed are driving me into a goosebumps frenzy!
The delay of our flight just made me more excited which was witnessed by the patrons in the entry lobby of the MGM Grand. It's not every day you get to witness two mature ( should know better) ladies jump up and down squealing. I'm here with my bestfriend forever Belinda Snooks and it's been a long 8 months since the tickets were purchased.
Today is warmup only. 15 minute blocks of arena schooling time.
Our Non VIP entry takes us directly to retail therapy beyond imagining, but the horses come first. Oh after we pick up the official program. Quick quick let's find our seats.
And we are in! Bam!
A respectful hum in the air of equally excited equine enthusiasts. The obligatory classical music is playing in the back ground. I'm not sure if it's to calm us down or the horses. The arena is intimate and even today the horses are responding to the undertone of what is to come over the next couple of days.
Photo Credit: Miriam Coleman
We are sitting at around V and we can see that the Entry by the riders into the arena is directly from a tunnel. There is no possibility for a ride around the outside of the arena. So it will be interesting to see how this is managed tomorrow.
We watch a combination Sabine Schut-Kery riding Sanceo. It is breathtaking. Soft, floating trot, straight, extension and the crowd applauds. She rewards him with a loose rein and a pat. A quality horse. Pirouettes to half pass. Quiet, unassuming just another day on the arena for this beautiful stallion.
Steffan Peters rides in the arena with them on Rosamunde. Wow now that horse can sit! Piaffe passage into a long rein trot. Still hands, quiet seats and legs. Transitions in and out definite yet subtle, it's art in motion. I make a note to focus on strengthening my core when I get home. A round of applause from the 1000+ spectators showing their appreciation.
In come four beautiful horses. To practice their quadrille. What's a quadrille warm up without Elvis - the lights are down and the spotlights on. The crowd hoot and holler - love it !!!! 2 times to Bosa nova - awesome! The ones effortless - sigh ....
That's all for now, warmup is finished, so now for a quick whip around the extensive retail barn.
Tomorrow is the Grand Prix and we are going to be in for a treat. I can feel it in my core.
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