Day 12, Team Show Jumping Final

Original volunteer shift schedule 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm, revised to 11:30 am to 10:30 pm!
We reported somewhat fresh for duty at 11:30. We even shopped a bit first. Coming mid-day we did not wear our many layers of clothes, but carried them instead knowing we would need them before the long night was over. We checked tickets with our regular crew of Bob, Kay, Rae, sis and me. Tickets for the evening event allowed entry, so we checked tickets but did not scan them.

Today I got to be the team leader for a few short minutes. Notice my badge of authority--the two-way radio on my belt.

It was very interesting to watch the plantsmen add flowers to the marathon obstacle. A big bunch of them worked very hard to make it attractive. If we had more energy we would have liked to help them.
  

  

Lunch in the usual spot, and often with folks speaking languages we can not identify. Space at the tables is limited, so everyone sits together. All are very friendly.

The check-out line in the food tent is usually much busier than this!



From 3 to 5 pm we had a break but had run short on energy at the same time the weather began to deteriorate. We found an empty plastic photographers tent and actually rested on our coats on the ground. Sis was beginning to be choked with asthma. Soon the blowing dust was too much.

Wandering around to try to find a dust-free zone, we found the volunteer break tent. We were very disappointed to find it was only a plastic roof over 5 folding chairs (quite dusty from no use). Further amenities were a water cooler and a sign naming the sponsors. They might have done better for their "WEG heroes" as they referred to us.

All day a sharp breeze blew dust around and mingled with the smell of a gas generator at our gate. By the time we were excused at 9 p.m., sis's asthma was kicking up so she opted to head for home rather than watch the end of the jumping. She was ill, and we were both worn out and disappointed to miss the end. By the time we arrived back at the B & B, the results of the team competition were posted on-line. Gold medal to Germany, Silver to France and Bronze to Belgium.

We are through volunteering now, so will take in more of the park tomorrow on our own. The volunteer credentials give us entry to the Horse Park as well as access to many more places than we would otherwise have, plus free parking (instead of $20) per day. The special access certainly allows me better positions for my photo-taking.

Today My Eyes Were On:

Our reward for working 8 shifts, a green luggage handle wrap. Mine had a WEG pin on it; sis's did not. We had received a different pin after our 4th shift, too. We heard rumors of a potholder being the award for 12 shifts. We decided not to try for it.

Pins of many nations decorate the lanyards holding credentials of the most enterprising people. So far sis traded her red lanyard for a beautiful British one, and was given a pin by an Irish fellow. I have made no coups, although sis gave me a pin someone gave her.

A Chinese family enjoying the park together

A four-in-hand driving team (team of 4 horses)

Vaulting competition on the big screen while we ate lunch


Many mostly worn-out volunteers!

Day 11, Team Show Jumping

Vollunteer shift schedule 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
It was a very chilly 42 degrees this morning. But this time we had enough clothes. I wore 3 layers of long pants and 5 layers of turtleneck tops plus my coat. The sun was kind later in the day and we peeled down to shirts and jackets.

Our "F" gate, showing teeny blue "smurfs"

I estimate the show jumping crowd was half European. I noticed it is easy to tell them from Americans: Europeans tend to be rail thin--Americans not so much. Europeans are "put together" in dress (usually with a nice scarf or hat)--Americans tend to be more "thrown together". Europeans clothes are black, tan, or skinny jeans--no tennis shoes.

Today was the Show Jumping Team Competition and it will continue tomorrow adding a whole session in the afternoon as they have more riders than were able to finish today. Therefore, the volunteer boss has increased our shift tomorrow from 4:30 to 10:30 to 11:30 to 10:30. We are pretty worn out after the past 2 days of 10 hour shifts. We haven't yet figured how we could manage it or what we will do.

The Jumping always begins with the "course walk" for the riders and coaches measuring strides so they can plan their jumps.

The view of the Main Stadium from our Gate F

Many flying horses

We had dinner with another volunteer at the Mexican restaurant. As she was by herself and we were all wearing our Smurf (volunteer) outfits, we invited her to join us. She is an attorney from Louisville and is here to be a runner at the vaulting. It was quite interesting to compare notes, and to hear what life is like in the Cadet Training Corp. Not so great, actually. We were lucky to move up to our funny B & B. She was given a bed-roll, period! She had to ask for a towel and a glass to brush her teeth. There is nothing to do and no lounge area to make yourself feel at home and relax. She is knitting.

Today My Eyes Were On:

More beautiful, powerful, and very game flying horses

Teams of athletes from all over the world

Flags flying around the stadium in the wind

Hard-working volunteers with a little less spring in their step, but still big smiles on their faces

Long lines at food stations and long lines at long rows of porta-potties

My 9th hamburger in 11 days!

Day 10, Show Jumping Speed Phase

Volunteer shift schedule 7:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m.
It was 6:30 am, dark and 42 degrees when we left our nest. Cold, cold, cold! We equipped ourselves with many layers of clothes and thermacare arthritis heat pads and were still very chilled. Coffee or hot chocolate helped. During my lunch break I puchased some winter riding gloves. The vendors were down to one choice. There had been a run on sweatshirts and coats as well.

Our volunteer shift lasted from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. We were happy to be reunited with our same teammates from last week, taking tickets at our same gate. We scanned many, many tickets today. The Slovak vaulting team came through our gate, among others.

Swiss and Italia

Germany and Bermuda

Also today we watched rebuilding the water jump from Saturday's cross-country into an water obstacle for  the driving marathon, teams of 4 horses competing on a different cross-country course next Saturday. They actually constructed a heavy wooden bridge for the horses to go over.  

Under leaden skies we took turns watching the competition. Show Jumping features higher jumps (up to 5 feet 6 inches and five feet wide) that are placed in more difficult positions than for the 3-day eventers.

The sport of show jumping evolved from the English tradition of fox hunting back in the 18th century. The first time a horse sees the course is when he enters the arena to compete. Therefore, it is imperative that a horse has complete trust in his rider.


Today was all about speed. We were able to watch about a dozen of the 121 horse/rider combinations, during rest breaks. Only 18 went without faults (knocking off a rail).

Again the flying horses amazed me! How can they propel their 1200-1400 pounds over 5 feet in the air, with a rider on their backs. The show jumping lasts all week and the final on Saturday features the top four riders all riding each others horses.

Tomorrow our schedule repeats today's. And so to bed!