The Slower Road

Since it’s cool and rainy and generally kind of yucky here in Lexington today, I thought it would be a perfect time to head back to Germany for our penultimate look at the Celle CIAT. It was just as gray and wet on that Sunday afternoon as it is here today.

Following the cones competition, there was a bit of a break, and then we were all (during a brief dry spell) entertained by some of the Landgestüt’s stallions:

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And then it was time for the CIAT awards ceremony.

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After everyone had processed into the arena and lined up — during the actual awards ceremony, in other words — the skies opened up, and we all got soaked …

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wet dog … good dog, but wet dog

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I saw some horse-show photos yesterday … I think they were probably from the very early twentieth century. In one, as a test of the driver’s skill, a turnout was driving between two chairs. Percursors to our modern cones competitions, perhaps?

Speaking of cones courses, let’s head back to Germany to take a look at some of the Celle CIAT competitors on their cones course.

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the Polish five-in-hand was the last to go on the cones course and, unfortunately, it poured rain throughout their drive … Can you see the rain?!

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