AMY'S SCHEDULE IN THE COMING WEEKS
By Jemi Cain (Amy's mom)

It's nail biting time for US and Canadian short-listed riders and their horses (do horses bite their nails too?) With the WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES (WEG) Eventing competition less than 30 days away, riders are keenly aware of their horses' every breath, every heartbeat, every mouthful. WATCHFUL is the operative word around the barns.

Meanwhile back home, families, friends and fans alike are probably doing the nail biting for the riders, who after all have those other important things to do.

Eventing junkies already know all the information below, so you might want to go find another eventing website with NEW information. What follows is for family and friends who only want to know what's going on with Amy.

In the coming weeks, most, if not all WEG team candidates will be polishing EVERYTHING for the first important competition. Richland Park Horse Trials, in Michigan, August 26-29, will be the first head-to head competition for many of the riders since Rebecca Farm in July. Some team candidates are entered in the CIC *** division; some in advanced (basically the same level of competition, but a CIC *** is required to be completed before some other competitions can be entered.) Don't worry, I don't understand it either!

Leyland will compete in the advanced group (listed as AA in the schedule), with Amy, of course, hoping for all positives...dressage: relaxed with impulsion and obedience; cross-country: eager, and attentive; and show jumping: obedient and careful. Another blue ribbon would be nice as well, to go with Leyland's win at Rebecca Farm, but I think truly Amy really cares only that her horses are as happy and sound at the end of the competition as they were at the beginning. Results each day will be posted on their website: www.richlandpark.com

The American Eventing Championships (AECs) will be held September 9-13, near Atlanta at Chattahooche Hills (www.chatthillseventing.com). This is a required competition for all US and Canadian WEG team candidates, and all will compete in the advanced division.

A thorough examination by team veterinarians will follow Chatthills, and within a day or two, actual team and individual riders will be announced. You can follow this kind of news on www.eventingnation.com Selected riders will then gather for the final training sessions before leaving for Lexington, KY, site of the WEG, with the eventing competition to be held September 30 - October 3. (Tickets are still available if anyone is interested)

DOES ANYONE STILL HAVE ANY NAILS REMAINING TO BE CHEWED? Mine are already pretty well ground down to the nubbies!

Go Eventing.