Guden's Corner

Notes From Rio - Monday July 9, 2007 - Kentucky Derby Winning Trainer Sends Yellow Roses!!

Yesterday was a day of unpacking the 17,000 pounds of gear and getting the tack rooms set up. And riding the horses for the first time since the team's arrival. So there wasn't much time for email.

We have another famous horse rooting for us in Rio. STREET SENSE, the 2007 Kentucky Derby winner, sent Sagacious 2 dozen yellow roses and wished him good luck in the Games! [The truth is that Judy went to school with Carl Nafzgar, Street Sense's trainer, and he and his wife, Wanda, recently visited Wellington to wish us well.]

So, here's the news for the last day:

1. Sunday, 7/8 at 9:20 AM from Susie Dutta, Team USA

Well, today feels like it is going to be a better day!! Everyone's spirits are much higher. We have all had a good nights rest and really to unpack our equipment!!! Now we need to start focusing on the task at hand!!! Winning gold!!!I will be in touch again soon.

2. Sunday, 7/8 at 4:33 PM from Lauren Sammis, Team USA

We rode today. A stretching day. Working over their backs and letting them see the new environment. Sagacious felt really good. Pik L steady eddy as usual. Regent felt good and strong after such a long trip. Brilliant was fresh in spite of the long travel. Oh, Dr. [Rick] Mitchell is lame on his left hind. Today is Kate's [Poulin] birthday. She was given a chocolate cake for breakfast. We are all going to dinner in Ipanema.

3. Sunday, 7/8 at 4:41 PM from Susie Dutta, Team USA

It was so nice to see our stuff today!! We are getting back to business..
The horses were all good today.. The venue is pretty impressive and the stadium has a real games feeling!!!! Klaus arrives tomorrow pm and then things will start rolling!!! Hope you are both well. Take care, Susie

4. Monday, 7/9 at 7:38 AM from Lauren Sammis, Team USA

Morning. Another beautiful day in Brazil. We are on our way to the stable. Our team ride time is 10:00. We are also going to practice the jog. Since we are staying in a hotel and not the Village we are going to take a field trip one day to the Village. It will give us an opportunity to mingle with the other athletes. It is bustling with activity now.

Melanie Summers is going to try to download photos to you today. Can't promise anything, but we'll try.

5. Monday, 7/9 at 7:28 AM from Tim Dutta of The Dutta Corporation

[Tim Dutta is responsible for the safe transport of our team horses along with 10 others from Canada, Central and South America. He will also be transporting the Eventing horses and Jumpers to Rio for the Games. He has done a superb job in spite of hundreds of roadblocks.]

Thank you for your very kind words we appreciate your kindness and friendship. Just got in from Rio and will be getting ready for Round 2 . Hope this goes smooth.

6. Monday, 7/9 at 7:53 AM from Susie Dutta of Team USA
Good morning!! We had a nice birthday dinner for Kate [Poulin] last night. She will never forget her 28th birthday in Brazil!!!

Now, it is back to business.. We have our first sort of team day. We have all have on our team shirts and have a scheduled time to ride.. Tonight Klaus [Balkenhol, Team Coach] arrives and tomorrow we should be ready to start ramping up. This is a little hard for me knowing I will not show [Susie is the team alternate] but, I have to prepare like I am going to so I am truly ready if I am needed.

We are hoping to get some site seeing today. This is really a beautiful country. The people have been friendly. We have these great drivers that drive us one hour to the venue and one hour back!! They do their best to answer our silly questions!! On our way home from the stable one night there was a brush fire right next to the road we were on!!! We were all saying to the driver, "Fire, fire!"

The driver says, "no problem" and just kept going!!! We went right by a huge fire. If I put my hand out I could have touched it!!! But, it was not a problem!! We are learning a new level of 'no problem'. There are times that you don't stop a red lights and no need for lines on the roads. It is wild driving but, 'no problem' we keep getting there in one piece.

I will check in later and I hope you have a great day!!!! Judy, we were happy to hear you had a good check up at the doctor!! We all think you looked so bright and beautiful in FL. You have a lot of new friends wishing you the best and keeping in our prayers daily. You both ROCK and thanks for caring about us while we are on our Pan Am journey!!!!

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