Here are some diaries from the 2001 NAJDC

Tuesday, June 26, 2001
Paxton Farms, Batavia Ohio
6 pm EST

We were all a bit nervous after yesterday’s lecture by Linda Zang on the “rules and regs” of an FEI competition. “Yellow Cards” were explained (FEI warnings for rule infractions) and we were warned about walked to the press without out Chef d’Equipe when the competition begins. Tomorrow we are being filmed by a television crew at 6:00 am (STBU!) and we will keep you posted on that for times to watch us on TV!

Also, on Wednesday, out show packages will be distributed, and as the CEI horses begin to arrive, more of the competition rules start to come into effect. We will all have to be on our best Canadian behaviour!!

All of the horses continue in good health with the held of our many grooms; Stephanie Chalaturnyk, Jenny Rae, Tamsyn Kouwenberg, Adrienne Johnston, Rebecca Steer, and Emily Partland. Vanessa LaPointe, our web filly is bust sending out our e-mails and daily schedules with Misha Dubbeld, and “Chef” Elaine Potter. Stable Manager, Nancy McMahon, is keeping us organized with everything!

Our jog pratcises are getting better and better, and most important of all, the horses are going well in the good footing. All of us are day by day getting over our nervousness at finally being here, and some riding breakthroughs are happened! Everyone here is so increibly nice and helpful that we feel truly welcomes and “at home”!

A lot of organization has gone into making this a really special event for us and so, in return, we would like to nominate Janet Paxton, Linda Zang, and our very own Roz Farber as horse-women of the year to honour them for all of their visio and hand work. WOW! Thank you!

Until tomorrow,
~ The Juniors

Monday, June 25, 2001
3:00 pm
Paxton Farms, Batavia, Ohio

We Canadian Juniors resumed out training today here in Ohio under the direction of team coach, Albrecht Heidemann. Its hot and summer and we are all drinking lots of water. One Australian rider has already been taken to the hospital with suspected dehydration problems and this is a warning to all riders. The horses are all happy and healthy and we are getting back into a routine of riding, feeding, and mucking.

Fortunately, we have lots of good people to help – many of the juniors who declared for the NAJDC but were not able to qualify, have come down to groom and help out. We’re so grateful they would come and we are all having lots of fun together. All the parents have been so helpful in being our support crew with computers, food, laundry, chauffeuring, and feeding!

At noon today, Paxton Farms presented us with our show packages and schedules with lots of information about the riding and other activities planned for us.

Chef d’Equipe, Elaine Potter arrived this morning, dressed to kill and with all of your wishes of good luck for us from back home!

We just met Picaro, the Paxton’s stunning stallion, and we plan to thank the Paxton’s for hosting this event by giving them one of our TEAM CANADA horse sheets, since we have an extra one that is his size.

Tomorrow, we continue out training starting at 6am (STBT!) to avoid the heat and we continue working on our jog skills in preparation for the Thursday jog.

~ The Juniors

Sunday, June 24, 2001
5:45 pm EST

The Canadian FEI Junior Dressage Training Camp ended successfully on Friday, June 22, and the long journey to Ohio began on Saturday, June 23 at 10 am. The two International Horse Transport trailers were filled to the brim with hundreds of bales of hay and shavings, feed, equipment, trunks, and horse gizmos for the eleven-hour trip, and ten-day stay at Paxton Farms, Batavia, Ohio. Oh yes, and twelve horses too!! None of this would have happened without the tremendous support provided by Dr. Vicki Pringle, Dr. Alan Young, Anne Welch, and Jacqueline Brooks of York Equestrian Centre, Cedar Valley, Ontario.

All horses and humans made the trip in good health and good spirits, and thanks to the organizational talents of Nancy McMahon, Stable Manager, the Canadian stabling area immediately became “home” with the addition of many Canadian flags, good signage, and well-equipped tack and office areas.

Training resumes on Monday, after a much-needed day of rest.

This is the first of the daily updates, which we will be providing you from today’s date through until July 2nd. To send your comments, questions, and best wishes to the team, go to http://canada_fyrst_club.tripod.com/ and visit the guest book. Or, contact the team through vanessalapointe@hotmail.com.

~ Misha Dubbeld & Vanessa LaPointe