Wednesday, 25 July 2012 London Olympic GHPC News

Paradise at Lavender Hill and Edward reunited with GLOCK's Undercover

While GLOCK's Undercover went on a long morning walk today with groom Vanessa to explore Lavender Hill Stud – the facilities in Naunton belonging to eventer Eddy Stibbe – and found equine paradise, it was to be an early start for Edward Gal. At six o'clock in the morning the Dutchman set off for the airport together with trainer Nicole Werner and at 8:30am the whole Dutch team flew to London, causing quite a sensation in their stylish Team Netherlands outfits.

Driving the hired car on the "wrong" side of the road was the first challenge in England, but the two-hour trip to Lavender Hill was good for gaining experience. Frits was well turned out and waiting, Vanessa had decorated the stalls in the Dutch colours and the snorting from GLOCK's Undercover was without doubt the best welcome greeting.

"He is fit and happy," laughs Edward a little later from the saddle on GLOCK's Undercover. The gelding shines like a new penny, his muscles rippling in the sunlight. He responds to the most minimal aids and dances to a melody that you cannot yet hear but can feel.

When he is doing best, Edward gives him plenty of praise and calls it a day. Frits gets to leave with a sense of achievement. That too is an art – the art of knowing when to stop.

While GLOCK's Undercover is still enjoying nuzzling up to Edward and groom Vanessa preparing a big bucket of feed, plans are being made for dinner. The whole Dutch team is going out together and is bound to have a lot of fun.

To find out what mascot Edward has packed, how he prepares shortly before the competition, what rituals there are and what GLOCK's Undercover alias Frits is like, read the next London Olympic GHPC News.

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