2002 World Equestrian Games

Postcards from the WEG
By Astrid Appels

Monday September 9, 2002: The Early Bird Catches the Worm

One thing which turned out to be a clever move was coming a day early for the show to get our accreditation and to get settled in in the press centre. Round 9.00 AM we had wrestled out way through Jerez traffic and were at the office for the credentials. Within the hour we had our press passes and parking card. For us, the organization ran smoothly but we heard stories of other people having to wait at least four hours to get their passes.

The press centre was as good as empty with the exception of Australian Gill Rolton, American Diana Derosa and a few other Spanish journalists. We were all having major problems getting online but in the afternoon help came from TelefonicaNet, the Spanish provider. Using an expensive pin code, we were able to have a dial up in Jerez, but the connection is nervewrecking slow and almost useless, at least for my computer. But, maybe I'm pampered by the cable connection I have at home. Internet connection is still often one of the greatest weaknesses in the organization of an equestrian event. Round 1.30 PM, JJ and I went into a very small tapas bar at the south corner of the Chapin center. We ordered cold potatoes, meatballs, french fries and bulltail. The food was a surprise but as it was the first bite of food I had today, it was too greasy for my hungry stomach.

All afternoon, Mary and I spent working on the computer, writing pages, updating the website and organizing photos. I also checked out the trade fair which was still very much under construction. We drove home in the late afternoon and did one of the most fun things of the day, grocery shopping. Tonight was no eating terrible Spanish food, but home cooked JJ's Café. At the resort's supermarket we bought pasta pesto, chips and dips, fruit, wine and beer.

JJ cooked dinner while I went to watch the sunset on the beach and regretted the fact that I didn't bring the camera to take a picture of the gorgeous view. Mary bumped into her long time acquaintance Sean Hamilton, the Canadian photographer of Clix Photography. She also rented an apartment at Costa Ballena through the internet, but completely independent from Karen Robinson. Sean joined for dinner later on and the most sympathetic twosome from Florida that I know, John Zoppati and Bent Jensen, also dropped by for a beer. We had a blast telling stories about the "old" days and sharing memories. I went to bed round 11 PM because tomorrow was the first day of true Jerez action, the day in which my diary will turn into show coverage.