Aachen Arrival – Settled In and Waiting to Begin

After a great flight to Brussels we arrived Sunday morning and took the 1 hour drive the Heerlen, Netherlands to our accommodations in real a Castle, where we had a day of peace and quiet in the idyllic setting which will host a group for over 40 people coming to join us within the next few days. JJ. Hathaway and our intern extraordinaire, Margaret Heroy, who has demonstated yet another talent in navigations, stand in the courtyard outside our room as a wedding is taking place in the background.

We are settled into our brick walled suite, which has a charming patio next to the moat, the water surrounding the castle, inhabited by ducks, herons, and a beautiful but lonely black swan who lost his or her partner to a recent dog attack. We had a quiet Sunday lunch along with other diners in the outdoor garden, and then slept through the afternoon beginning our catch up from jet lag. In the evening we visited the town of Valkenberg, where the ruins of a castle destroyed in the war overlooks the winding cobble stoned streets filled with fabulous restaurants and bustling bars. We dined outdoors and people- watched a favorite Euro pastime.

Monday morning we went to the Aachen stadium to retrieve our press credentials. There have been big changes since our last visit, as the event has geared up for the 2006 World Equestrian Games, with major construction, and an expanded trade fair. There is a new large building overlooking the main arena which houses a huge new press center, additional stands and seating. Beyond the press parking in the back field are cross country jumps, a new vision for the Aachen event. As we walked to the dressage stadium we caught a glimpse of Kyra Kyrkland and Richard Davison. Next to the warm up a large row of hedges separates another warm up for the jumpers, and we could see Lara Kraut’s head bobbing up and down as she cantered around the large grassy field. She spotted us, and gave us a big hello. Not far away was Coach George Morris, who also acknowledged our presence, with a big wave. I have learned from covering international events for over 25 years, that American riders, no matter how big and how famous, appreciate seeing familiar faces when they are competing in Europe, and we are happy to see them too, wishing them all the best for their success and safety in the week to come.

But it is the Aachen workers, many second generation members of a well organized work force who manage the duties of the stadium from the bathrooms, to the construction of the arenas who we are happy to see again. Manfred Hendricksen’s job is lifting the large pole for each jumper as they enter the show jumping arena, the size of 3 football fields, is working security until the event begins. He speaks no English, but could win every time at Charades as he acts out his communications with us. His daughter Marion will be joining us Wednesday morning as the interpreter of our tour of the Aachen Cathedral we will be sharing with a group of our guests. We purchased Tribune Ticketed seating for her, to join our group and enhance their experience by translating announcements and sharing the daily news reports of inside information and news in the local papers.

After leaving the Stadium we found a local grocery store to stock up on cheese, fruit, wine and cereal, to stash in our mini bar, as we often miss the morning breakfast at the hotel when the event begins at an early hour.

Then we took the hour drive to Belgium to visit our dear friend and colleague Astrid Appels where her mother Bruni has prepared a sumptuous meal and barbecue. We sat in the garden in the perfect weather we brought to Europe after a long wet cold summer, drinking champagne, wine and dining in true Belgian style with fabulous food, and more than friends, our Euro family.

Now it is 1:00 AM, but my body is telling me it is 7 PM EST, and I am wide awake, but know I need to get some sleep. Tomorrow we make an airport rune, most of the guests arrive, and the Horse Inspection and Opening Ceremonies will kick off another brilliant week of the greatest horse show in the world.

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