Monday, 19 August 2013 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013

Everyone got here safely, first training session completed – we are all set!

On Sunday everything was packed, GLOCK’s Undercover, GLOCK’s Romanov and GLOCK’s Voice were gleaming and Sugar was eagerly waiting to go with them. After an uneventful trip through the night, the GLOCK truck with its precious cargo rolled into Herning. All had gone well, all were fit and in form. The GLOCK team – Edward Gal, Hans Peter Minderhoud and Nicole Werner – arrived in Herning almost at the same time. They wanted to check out everything in peace: the stables, the stalls, the training areas and naturally the main stadium.

What the three of them could see from afar was Tigger. A trip with Fritsie, the black tiger, without his little orange friend – no, that would simply be out of the question. Somehow Tigger looks as if he has grown. “He’s new,” laughs Vanessa obviously proud of bigger Tigger. Hanging on the stall, he watches Fritsie who already feels at home in his championship accommodation and chews on straw.

Keeping an eye on everything is GLOCK’s Romanov known as Romantico in the GLOCK stables. A pretty mare might be round the corner – GLOCK’s Romanov does not miss anything. He is so big he can easily look through the opening between the stall wall and ceiling, which he often does. Head held high and completely still.

GLOCK’s Voice is tired – he briefly says hello to everyone before turning round and dozing off again. There had been some action beforehand, as GLOCK grooms Vanessa and Anna not only decorated everything in the Dutch colours but also climbed up the stables to take a photo from above. Voice at least thought it was fun, as he could nibble their shoes...

Slowly the stable aisle fills up. More and more horses arrive: time for a first warm-up, loosening up and getting the feel of the conditions here at the European Championships. Despite the new surroundings, GLOCK’s Undercover is relatively relaxed. GLOCK’s Voice and GLOCK’s Romanov also feel good after the easy-going dressage.

The first night is quiet, perhaps also because Vanessa and Anna take it in turns to sleep with them in the stables. And then there is Tigger who is watching over the stalls. ;-)

Today was the first opportunity for riding in the main stadium. Everyone went out for some light training. The British are here and joking, the Spanish, French: they all use the time to get themselves and the horses used to the big arena. The GLOCK riders receive instructions through their in-ears. As always, GLOCK trainer Nicole Werner supervises all the movements of ‘her’ horses and riders.

Tomorrow the vet check for the Netherlands and therefore also the GLOCK horses is at 10am. At 11.25am the Dutch can train in the main stadium, which they already know from today’s training. And then the 2013 European Championships in Herning, Denmark, will finally start!

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