August 20, 2006

World Equestrian Games Notes from Laura Petroff

WEG 2006 Opening Ceremony

What an incredible spectacle! Aachen certainly knows how to put on a show. The Opening Ceremonies began with dozens and dozens of youngsters, adorned in colorful t-shirts and bearing matching umbrellas, who formed the multi-colored logo of the event in the center of the huge Stadium, filled with thousands.

That was followed by an amazing parade of 64 performing Stallions, followed by several Vaulters and so many others on horseback. Then Nadine Capellman came passageing out and all around the stadium. She rode beautifully in front of her hometown crowd. Then the German Driving Team led by Michael Freund entered and joined the incredible scene. Then the most moving part of the extravaganza began--the Parade of Nations. Each country was represented by all of its rider members. The picture was stunning! Every country was led by a young rider carrying their nations' flag. The only team that got the crowd cheering other than the Germans of course was our very own USA!! We couldn't miss them wearing their red, white, and blue Ariat outfits. There was our dressage team waving the stars and stripes--Debbie, Steffan, Guenter, and Leslie, joined by Coach Klaus Balkenhol, the grooms, Gil Merrick, Jim Wolf, Fiona, Don Whittle, and other representatives of the USEF, and the US teams of eventers and vaulters. I was sitting at our table with Dick and Jane Brown. At the table next to us were seated Parry, Peggy, and Jane Thomas, and Bob McDonald. We cheered loudly for our team and waved US flags to cheer on the USA.

Our team was followed by the Germans, who were cheered wildly by their fans. Then, there was a welcoming speech by the Organizers, and the WEG was officially opened by Princess Haya, FEI President.

When she was finished, they started the Fountains shooting high up in the air and splashing those nearby. Then a number of carriages arrived, each with a net filled with colorful balloons which were shot into the sky.

The finale included a handful of acrobats on Stilts and another crowd of youngsters aiming brightly-colored Streamers into the audience. All of this was simultaneously shown on the 2 massive video screens at the corners of the Stadium, capturing every impressive detail.

Afterward, Dick and Jane Brown, veterans of all the previous 4 WEG's and many recent Olympic Games, raved about the Opening Ceremonies, saying that this was actually "10 times better" than ANY of the many previous Opening Ceremonies they have been fortunate enough to enjoy.

So, that's it. The 5th World Equestrian Games now are open--Let the Games Begin!

Photo courtesy: www.aachen2006.de

HorsesDaily 'On the Scene' at the World Equestrian Games 2006