Karen and Pat Garrett’s World Pony Driving Championships report for Wednesday:

The trot out and opening ceremonies at Lipica have been completed. The good news is that all of the United States ponies passed. There was a small bit of concern when Josephine, the pony being driven by Suzy Stafford, was sent to the “holding box” and reexamined by the full ground jury. In the end, Josephine was found “fit to compete.” From the stands it was unclear what caused the initial concern. Having said that, in excess of fifteen percent of the more than seventy ponies were reassessed and only one from Denmark was not passed. Fortunately, this pony was one of three ponies for a pairs driver so it did not prevent him from competing.

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competitors and ponies waiting their turn to enter the arena for the vet inspection (photo by Karen & Pat Garrett)

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the judges conferring (photo by Karen & Pat Garrett)

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Suzy Stafford and Josephine (photo by Karen & Pat Garrett)

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Lisa Stroud and one her Connemara ponies (photo by Karen & Pat Garrett)

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The opening ceremony was conducted on foot with drivers, chefs d’equipe, grooms, helpers, and supporters, including a few children and at least two dogs, from the seventeen nations parading in on foot with flags waving. These varied from nations represented by one driver, such as Australia (represented by “our own” Janelle Marshall, who was accompanied in the parade by Muffy Seaton!) and Finland, to the six nations, including the United States, who have a full complement of drivers.

The parade was followed by a few speeches and then by an interesting quadrille dressage demonstration by four Lipica Stud Lipizzaner stallions.

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the judges arriving for the opening ceremony (photo by Karen & Pat Garrett)

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a quadrille of Lippizan stallions (photo by Karen & Pat Garrett)

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the U.S. team (photo by Karen & Pat Garrett)

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The dressage starting times for the U.S. competitors are as follows: Jennifer Matheson – Thursday at 11:35 a.m.; Wendy O’Brien – Thursday at 2:25 p.m.; Shelley Temple – Thursday at 5:05 p.m.; Suzy Stafford – Friday at 10:30 a.m.; Randy Cadwell – Friday at 11:05 a.m.; Lisa Stroud – Friday at 2:20 p.m.; and Laurie Astegiano – Friday at 3:42 p.m.

The weather is perfect—sunny and in the high 70s—and expected to stay so. It may be a bit warm for marathon on Saturday, but it’s better than the alternative.

As Wendy previously reported, the Lipica Stud is a unique place. Everything seems to be well organized, and it is particularly refreshing to have the championship venue at a location that has an existing equine infrastructure. The comments from drivers and grooms are positive. In addition to the competitors, grooms, and helpers, there is a strong contingent of U.S. spectators.